Billy Beane is NOT a genius.

Billy Beane is not a genius. It is as simple as that. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "well if they just followed the genius of Billy Beane we would have more runs, more this, more that." It's become something I constantly roll my eyes to. The fact is Billy Beane is NOT a genius. Sure, Moneyball is a great book - but let me ask you the following questions:
1. How many championships have the A's won using following such a formula?
2. How did the A's do last year?
3. Have the A's even been true consistent contenders up there with the Twins, Sox, Yanks, and Angels?

The answers:
1. 0
2. Terrible after getting rid of their pitching staff that had, by luck, fallen into Billy Beane's hands - too good to be true... but yes he did it... he traded them away... get over it A's fans.
3. Pretty much NOT

Why is it that Billy Beane is called a genius? Because he looks at OBP (on base percentage)? Don't we ALL look at OBP? If you played up growing ball: did you not constantly hear "a walk is as good as a hit."??? I know I did. So right here and now I would like to say: my little league coaches - geniuses, my JV coaches - geniuses, my summer league coaches - geniuses, me (as a coach) - genius.

In fact, we can all be geniuses if we agree that getting on base is what is important in baseball.

"But, but, but he says more than that"

I don't care. Billy Beane is overrated and his ideas are too stuck in statistics that he misses on field reality and the importance of team chemistry and in the idiosyncrasies of the best teams in baseball.

It really is as simple as this: Billy Beane has a system where he looks at statistics. All managers have a system where they look at statistics. Billy Beane is not a genius.

Come on say it with me: Billy Beane has a system where he looks at statistics. All managers have a system where they look at statistics. Billy Beane is not a genius.

At least not any more of a genius than my coaches were, or I am.

Arroyo Traded

Today the Boston Red Sox traded rockstar Bronson Arroyo for Wily Mo Pena shocking thousands of female Sox fans everywhere. Arroyo was a dissapointing 14-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season.

Arroyo lost his touch from his 2004 - seriously now - he gave up 5 runs in the first inning without recording an out in his start Tuesday against his now current team, the Reds.

This move gives the Sox a quality, young outfielder - Wily Mo, 24 years old. His numbers seem to shake given limited playing time due to the experienced outfield in Cincy.

Why the Red Sox went for an outfielder is beyond me - they already have a full boat of talent with Manny, Coco, Trot, Adam Stern, Gabe the babe Kapler, and Ron Calloway. Perhaps there is a further trade talk in the future.

Truth is the Sox aren't losing much in Arroyo - Just a glorified, overrated, underperforming pitcher who is more focused on his image and fanbase than his pitching.

Hey at least this means I'll never have to waste $13 on his CD again.

How cool is that...

Not only did I get my picture with him... I got to hear him talk about playing with Dom and Ted for at least a half hour :-)

Me and Johnny Pesky

Oh How Plans Can Change

A week ago I was saddened by my lack of spring break plans to go to spring training - but - one week later and I sit at Panera patiently awaiting the arrival of my father so we can drive the 22 hours it is from Grantham to Ft. Myers, FL.

I cannot express how excited I am at the week that awaits - 4 games, 6 nights in a tent, manatees, and lots of organic chem studying.

A few problems still remain: the fact we dont have a camp stove, a cooler, or really any experience, but it will be fun anyway. Talk about letting go! This is going to be AWESOME.

Another year without my dream fullfilled

Last fall I was stoked - for a life dream/goal of going to spring training would be fullfilled this current spring as I would head to Florida for Spring training on the 11th of March.

Now the 11th is but 6 days away and I still have no one to accompany me. It appears as another year will pass as my dream rolls by. and come Friday, I will be headed someplace else (still to be determined).

Oh well - that's the rub I suppose... so to all those headed to Spring Training - Enjoy... and to the team... Good Luck.

Next year man... Next year...