Money Ball reflection

1)    What was the “Moneyball” approach that Billy Beane and Peter Brandt applied to the Oakland Athletics 2002 season? Was it an “art” or a “science”? What single statistic did they boil their value consideration down to? (In class research/discussion)

·         The moneyball approach is a statics way to pick your players. It’s all about getting all the percentages and numbers down to one thing to pick your players. This is more of a science form. The statistic they focused on is the on base percentage.

2) What is the equation used to calculate OBP? (In class research/discussion)

·         Obp= h(hits)+bb(base on balls)+hpb(hits by pitch)           
ab(at bats)+bb(base on balls)+hbp(hits by pitch)+sf(sacrafice flies)

3) What is design? (In class research/discussion)

·         Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), typically by making a detailed drawing of it.

4) Describe 3 situations where movie characters (intentionally or not) applied a step from the PLTW 12 Step Design Process. Explain both the (a) situation as well as (b) how the step is relevant:
1 – The situation when all the scouts where sitting around the table trying to replace players, they are trying to address and fix the problem.

2 – When Billy and his assistant where narrowing down the players they should pick for their team. They are building the foundation.

3 – When Billy had to cut and trade player. He was again fixing problems to make it better.


5) What is “Leadership”? List the three aspects of leadership that we come up with in class. (In class research/discussion)

1 – direction-
2 –organization-
3 – leadership-


6) Describe 3 circumstances from the story where a character exercised effective leadership:
1 – when billy got his way for the picking of kids.

2 –when billy fired and hired guys

3 –when billy took peter brand and made him his assistance.



7) According to the movie, what was the A’s record at the start of their winning streak? 68__ : 51___

8) What does this ratio simplify to (roughly)? __.57_ : 1

9) How long was the A’s record setting winning streak? _20__ games won.

10) Given the A’s win/loss ratio at the start of the streak (listed two questions above), what are the odds of winning 20 games in a row? Run the numbers. (In class research/discussion)
.44x to the 20^th

Very low a .000013%.

11) Based on your calculation, do you think the A’s got lucky or was there something to the Moneyball approach?

·         I think there really was something to the moneyball approach. If they made it that far using the system it had to at least work somewhat.

12) Did Billy Beane strictly apply the “science” of Moneyball to his management approach? Was there an “art” to his efforts as well? Describe a circumstance where he broke from the Moneyball approach to make a positive change for the team.

·         Billie Bean didn’t always stick to the moneyball approach. When the little giombie got cut it was for a better change in the team, attitude wise.