Baseball team hire eccentric genius

In summary, Eric Van, a 51-year-old Harvard graduate with an IQ of 143, was hired by the Red Sox in February after owner John Henry read his posts on Sons of Sam Horn, a popular website for passionate fans. Van is a statistical savant with over 30 years of experience in using numbers to evaluate player performance, making him a "sabermetrician" before it was in vogue. However, some question his lack of formal training in statistics and his tendency to bend numbers to fit his biases. While statistics can help ask the right questions, it is the ability to relate them to the game that truly impresses, as exemplified by renowned baseball stats expert Bill James.
  • #1
The_Professional
427
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http://www.boston.com/sports/baseba...06/23/his_numbers_are_in_the_ballpark/?page=1
Eric Van wakes his computer with a nudge of the mouse, and moments later the oversize screen is bright with numbers, an elaborate spreadsheet that is impossible to decipher. Moving the cursor across the columns, Van cracks a smile.

A 51-year-old Harvard graduate with an IQ of 143, Van was hired quietly by the team in February after owner John Henry read his posts on Sons of Sam Horn, a website popular among passionate Red Sux fans. Van is a statistical savant who's been using numbers to evaluate player performance for more than 30 years, well before ''sabermetrician" -- the term used these days to describe his type -- was in vogue.
 
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  • #2
I've seen some of his postings and even participated in debates with him in other message boards. He seems reasonably smart, but appears to lack formal training in statistics, so none of the numbers he cites are any more sophisticated than conditional sample means. He has a lot of these numbers at his fingertips, and that seems to impress the average layperson. He also has a tendency to bend the numbers to suit his biases.
 
  • #3
Statistics almost never answer questions - they just help you ask the right questions.

Bill James is the only baseball stats guy I've been impressed with. It isn't compiling the stats that's impressive - it's being able to relate them to the game. Bill James knows enough about baseball (the game on and off the field, not the box score), and baseball history, that he can usually put the statistics he compiles into perspective.

In fact, statistics usually only play a minor supporting role in his best articles.
 

What does it mean for a baseball team to hire an eccentric genius?

When a baseball team hires an eccentric genius, it means they are bringing on a coach or consultant who has a unique or unconventional approach to the game. This individual may have a different perspective and innovative ideas that could potentially lead to success on the field.

What kind of qualifications should an eccentric genius have for a baseball team?

An eccentric genius hired by a baseball team should have a strong understanding of the game and its strategies, as well as a track record of success in coaching or consulting. They should also possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to think outside the box.

How can an eccentric genius benefit a baseball team?

An eccentric genius can benefit a baseball team by bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the game. Their unconventional approach may lead to new strategies and techniques that could give the team a competitive edge. They can also provide valuable insights and analysis to help improve the team's performance.

Are there any potential drawbacks to hiring an eccentric genius for a baseball team?

While an eccentric genius may bring innovative ideas and strategies to a baseball team, there is also a risk that their unconventional methods may not work or may clash with the team's existing culture. There may also be challenges in communication and collaboration if the eccentric genius has a strong personality or clashes with other team members.

What are some famous examples of eccentric geniuses being hired by baseball teams?

One famous example is the Oakland Athletics hiring Billy Beane, who used data-driven analysis and unconventional strategies to lead the team to success in the early 2000s. Another example is the Chicago Cubs hiring Joe Maddon, known for his unorthodox coaching style, to lead them to their first World Series title in over 100 years in 2016.

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