WAR gains major exposure

by Fett42 on Nov 22, 2009 8:44 AM PST

So I was handed a copy of the New York Times today (yes I hate trees), and flipping to the sports section the top article on its front page was entitled "A New Generation of Statistics Redefines Baseball". It's basically all about WAR and how its gaining an increasingly large following in both the media and fanbase. It's also got a Dave Cameron quote and basically is one of the better or at least most heartening articles you'll read in a (very) mainstream newspaper al year. I found the article under a different name online and I suggest you take a look. Some notable awesomeness:

A WAR of 10 does not have resonance as a hallowed number in a sport with so many others. But it will be a goal for Greinke next season, whether or not the Royals contend.

“I think, whether the traditional baseball community wants to acknowledge it or not, the fan base and the media have finally embraced and immersed themselves in advanced statistics,” Bannister said. “I think you’re going to see more and more people brought up with that influence. I really just think that the future of the game is in the numbers.”

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A WAR of 10? Zack Greinke, you so crazy.

Cool article though. The Bannister quote is right on the money. Thanks for the link.

by katal on Nov 22, 2009 9:12 AM PST reply actions

He was 9.4 last year...

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Nov 22, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions

Now that we use advanced statistics I don't want the rest of the world to know about them.

by Robert on Nov 22, 2009 10:37 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

We'll just use better ones

by Graham MacAree on Nov 22, 2009 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

ATP

Average Tickle Percentage?

2009 Safeco Field Record: 6-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 10-4

by Fin on Nov 22, 2009 3:14 PM PST up reply actions

Ok I will stop trying to be funny.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 6-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 10-4

by Fin on Nov 22, 2009 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

I know right?

Its like being a fan of an Indie ban only for them to get mass exposure. Gross.

Carlos Silvelite

by OceanBird on Nov 22, 2009 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

What a great article.

And yes, i am also rooting for the Mariners to develop even better stats and keep them secret. Give us the advantage.

by ARock on Nov 22, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

I think were still a little ways off that.

The majority of writers and fans still hate the idea of sabermetrics. Just go look at some MLB.com or ESPN.com article comments if you want proof of that.

by IceStormV1 on Nov 22, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions

I'm certain you're joking.

But I’m also certain there are some folks out there who honestly think this way.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Nov 22, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions

I am not joking in the least

I want my team to have as great of an advantage over ever other team as possible. I don’t watch baseball to see teams better themselves, I watch it in hopes of seeing the Mariners succeed.

by Robert on Nov 22, 2009 9:55 PM PST up reply actions

I wholeheartedly agree

If there weren’t any teams that could be easily taken advantage of due to their draconian player evaluation skills anymore that would eliminate our ability to make amazing moves.

by OlSalty on Nov 22, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions

Ah, I see your point.

I took your “rest of the world” comment to mean fans everywhere.

In my view, when I said there are people who think this way, some fans out there don’t want sabermetrics and advanced studies to become mainstream so they can still be superior to the average fan. It probably wouldn’t stop some folks anyway, but if everybody was talking about WAR, it would cease having that special “underground” feel that some people apparently need to have when they associate with something.

Like, how some folks can’t stand a band once it goes mainstream because now “everybody likes it”? That kind of effect.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Nov 23, 2009 1:23 AM PST up reply actions

The opinions of average fans in other cities might affect the actions of those teams.

If the fans universally want Princess Willie leading off because he has grit and “sets the tone of the game” for the rest of the team, the team is then under pressure to do that, even if it makes the team worse.

Having the fans of other teams be idiots could potentially benefit us.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Nov 23, 2009 9:22 AM PST up reply actions

How many average fans actually influence their team's decisions?

I mean, seriously? If they’re going to be influenced by fan opinion, then they’re already a bad front office. A good front office, even one NOT versed in modern baseball analysis, isn’t going to let the rag of the rabble get to them.

Unless they’re the Dodgers ownership.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Nov 23, 2009 2:46 PM PST up reply actions