The Freakonomics Radio Book Club

16. Did Michael Lewis Just Get Lucky with “Moneyball”?

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Nov 24, 2022
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ANECDOTE

The Genesis of Moneyball

  • Michael Lewis wrote Moneyball after falling in love with the story of the Oakland A's.
  • The team achieved success with undervalued players and a revolutionary approach.
INSIGHT

The A's Data-Driven Approach

  • The A's questioned which player characteristics truly correlated with winning.
  • They targeted undervalued players with these qualities, often overlooked by traditional scouting.
ANECDOTE

Strategic Use of the Closer

  • The A's strategically used their third-best pitcher as a closer, accumulating saves in less crucial situations.
  • They would then trade this pitcher for a higher value than he was inherently worth.
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