Watch video of panel discussion with Billy Beane, Theo Epstein, Peter Gammons, Craig Breslow and Andrew Zimbalist:
Watch video of Zimbalist interviewed on MLB TV’s Clubhouse Confidential with Brian Kenny:
Watch video of Zimbalist interviewed on ESPN’s Keith Olbermann show:
Part I
Part II
PRAISE FOR THE SABERMETRIC REVOLUTION :
“Moneyball played an important role in highlighting to mass culture the evolution of decision making in Major League Baseball front offices—but this was only a momentary reflection of a broader movement within the game. In The Sabermetrics Revolution, Baumer and Zimbalist provide a much more accurate understanding of the exceptional work of the A’s to overcome their expected outcomes and how other front offices continue to advance objective analysis and its role in player personnel decisions. A must read for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of why and how baseball continues to lead the way in the use of analytics.”—Mark Shapiro, President of the Cleveland Indians
“Sabermetricians have developed new and important ways of measuring player performance. Baumer and Zimbalist turn the table on the sabermetricians and
evaluate their performance. The result is an interesting and balanced portrayal of what the authors believe works and what doesn’t, and of the challenges that lie ahead.” —Bob Costas, broadcaster for NBC and MLBTV
“Andrew Zimbalist and Benjamin Baumer do the best job yet of evaluating the benefits and the myths of the evergrowing world of baseball analytics. This is a must read for anyone interested in where sports metrics have been as well as where they are going.” Stan Kasten, CEO of Los Angeles Dodgers
“Leo Durocher once said that ‘Baseball is like church; many attend, few understand.’ The Sabermetric Revolution is a must read for those in the baseball congregation seeking understanding of how objective analytics can be used to determine intrinsic value, identify undervalued and overvalued assets and dynamics, and create competitive advantage.”—Tom Garfinkel, President and CEO of the San Diego Padres
“The Sabermetrics Revolution is like the story behind the story. Michael Lewis’ classic tugs at our heartstrings and opens our eyes, but Baumer and Zimbalist help us look behind the curtain. If you’ve ever wanted to understand what happens in the other offices around the GM, this is a brilliant book.”—Will Carroll, Lead Writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report, Member, BBWAA and PFWA
“Moneyball was a good read by Michael Lewis and a good part for Brad Pitt, but as Ben Baumer and Andrew Zimbalist show, it was primarily a good fairy tale. The
Sabermetrics Revolution doesn’t just debunk, but has a high slugging average with all sorts of valuable new insights and baseball numbers. But, be on guard, stats freaks: it isn’t doctrinaire. Spoiler alert! The authors dare say that bunting can actually be good for you.”—Frank Deford, commentator for NPR and HBO Real Sports
“The Sabermetric Revolution is an excellent and well-written look at where sabermetric knowledge stands today. This is a very useful book.” Economist Tyler Cowen on his blog, Marginal Revolution.
Book of the Month for April 2014, Prozone Sports. “An ideal introduction to the topic of advanced statistics in baseball, The Sabermetric Revolutionprovides a thorough overview of the ways in which analytics has transformed the management and coaching of baseball. Demonstrating how the game has been changed by the evolving use of data over time, Baumer and Zimbalist also offer a tantalising glimpse of how Sabermetrics may continue to develop in the future.”
Daily Beast list of best baseball books 2014. “Former Mets sabermetrician Benjamin Baumer and sports economist Andrew Zimbalist’s The Sabermetric Revolution: Assessing the Growth of Analytics in Baseball takes an expert look at the statistical analysis craze, debunking misconceptions and evaluating the role of sabermetrics in the future—no doubt of great interest to future general managers, both real and fantasy league.”
“The Sabermetric Revolution truly is an engaging and succinct illumination of where the field is and how it got here…well worth the read…. The book is ideal for a reader who wishes to tie together the importance of everything they have digested from sites like Fangraphs, Baseball Prospectus, Hardball Times, Beyond the Box Score, and, even, yes, Camden Depot.” Jon Shepherd, camdendepot.blogspot.com
“Highly recommended.” Library Journal
“Baumer and Zimbalist provide an interesting case study of the use of statistics by general managers and front office executives. For fans and fantasy leagues, the book is an accessible primer on the real math behind moneyball including new insights into the changing business of baseball.” David Low, The Wesleyan Connection.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Benjamin Baumer teaches statistics and mathematics at Smith College. He was formerly a statistical analyst for the Baseball Operations department of the New York Mets.
Andrew Zimbalist is Robert A. Woods Professor of Economics at Smith College, a frequent sports industry consultant and media commentator, and author of many books, including In the Best Interests of Baseball? Governing the National Pastime.
AVAILABLE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS • February 2014