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Thursday, May 19, 2011
Baseball ProGUESTus
Ben approached me a while ago for a guest piece for BPro. I didn’t know what to write really, as I much prefer to not come up with an idea and then find my own answer. I’d rather someone else come up with an idea, and then I’ll be inspired to find an answer. So, I proposed that BPro readers ask whatever is on their mind, and then I’d answer them. It also has the benefit that the marketplace dictates where we actually are in this sabremetric conversation, rather than me dictating it. To that end, it gives me a chance to bring everyone up to speed. Or something like that. Anyway, I’ll answer the questions next week, but if you want to follow along to what they are asking, here it is. Lots of good questions off the bat already. I was hoping to get 10-15 good ones by the time commenting is closed next week, and there’s already five good ones just in the first hour.
I was asked to write a brief biography, as well as a preamble. In bullet form:
* I co-authored The BookâPlaying the Percentages in Baseball and run a blog of the same name.
* I’m a heavy proponent of sabermetrics and especially enjoy discussions where both sides can move upward and onward to the next issue.
* If you have a summary opinion with no evidence, I will call you on it.
* In the “a lot” v. “alot” debate, I stand with “alot.” I also have a son and a dog, so I’ve got plenty of experience with bedtime stories and leashes. If you ask me about women, I can tell you the one, and only one, thing I’ve learned.So, post your questions or thoughts below, and in a week or so, I’ll do my best to provide my comments. I know some of you think there are “too many numbers,” while others can’t get enough of this stuff. I’m very interested to find out what the typical Baseball Prospectus reader is thinking about regarding quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as critical thinking. Even feel free to unload your exasperated thoughts, and maybe I can placate you to some degree.
Your turn.