Every baseball fan has an opinion about baseball’s advanced defensive statistics. It’s understandable, really. Baseball defense is a tough nut. It is a much blurrier skill to measure than, say, hitting, for a pretty obvious reason. In hitting, you know EXACTLY what you’re measuring. Every plate appearance is a starting point. All you need to do…
Month: October 2012
The Gold Gloves
Every baseball fan has an opinion about baseball’s advanced defensive statistics. It’s understandable, really. Baseball defense is a tough nut. It is a much blurrier skill to measure than, say, hitting, for a pretty obvious reason. In hitting, you know EXACTLY what you’re measuring. Every plate appearance is a starting point. All you need to do…
Fun With Electoral Votes
It really is no wonder that Nate Silver got so into this election thing. Playing with the electoral numbers is really just about as much fun as playing with baseball statistics. Even more, it’s a whole lot like playing with NFL playoff possibilities at the end of the season (which, of course, is awesome). The…
Fun With Electoral Votes
It really is no wonder that Nate Silver got so into this election thing. Playing with the electoral numbers is really just about as much fun as playing with baseball statistics. Even more, it’s a whole lot like playing with NFL playoff possibilities at the end of the season (which, of course, is awesome). The…
It's All About October
You will remember how Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane remarked (in a half-joking, have-bitter way) that his s— doesn’t work in the playoffs. Well, across the bridge, it is now clear that San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy’s s— and the s— of GM Brian Sabean works just fine, thank you very much.* *By s—-, I…
It’s All About October
You will remember how Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane remarked (in a half-joking, have-bitter way) that his s— doesn’t work in the playoffs. Well, across the bridge, it is now clear that San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy’s s— and the s— of GM Brian Sabean works just fine, thank you very much.**By s—-, I of…
Giants and Intangibles
So, I’ve been reconsidering Jimmy the Greek. I’ve written this before: As a kid, I loved the matchup charts that Jimmy the Greek would do every NFL Sunday. Those charts are one of the touchstones of my childhood. Well, to be honest, Jimmy the Greek himself is one of the touchstones of my childhood, one…
Giants and Intangibles
So, I’ve been reconsidering Jimmy the Greek. I’ve written this before: As a kid, I loved the matchup charts that Jimmy the Greek would do every NFL Sunday. Those charts are one of the touchstones of my childhood. Well, to be honest, Jimmy the Greek himself is one of the touchstones of my childhood, one…
Baseball and Bruce
Start at a field. The grass is sparse and burning yellow. The afternoon sun is low in the sky. Leaves crunch underneath. It is autumn. Children are playing. They are not playing baseball; you don’t see children play baseball as much these days. Soccer is the thing. Let’s face it, the kids are not really…
Baseball and Bruce
Start at a field. The grass is sparse and burning yellow. The afternoon sun is low in the sky. Leaves crunch underneath. It is autumn. Children are playing. They are not playing baseball; you don’t see children play baseball as much these days. Soccer is the thing. Let’s face it, the kids are not really…