Thoughts on Moneyball

I had been waiting for Moneyball to come out because I knew I would buy it and didn’t want to waste $10 going to see it in theaters. Finally the movie came out and it was well worth the $15 to be able to watch this classic film for years to come.

This wasn’t a great movie just based on the fact of how moneyball is used in today’s game, it was a classic because it’s about baseball and how this idea shaped the game. The plot line was great for it and the way they told the story of Billy Beane’s life was an unexpected pleasure.  

Of course I knew the ending would be weird and awkward because the Athletics have yet to do anything under Beane’s direction. Yes, they’ve over achieved in a small market several times, but have yet to do anything meaningful in the playoffs.

Now that everyone has caught on to the methods first used by Beane and sabermetrics has become an essential part of the game, the A’s have lost their small advantage they had over every team.

I think that’s why the movie came out now because this idea of moneyball sparked under Beane’s control and now that other teams have implanted it in their system they know Beane and the A’s will never succeed. Basically they had their chance and now it’s over.

I’ve always thought the idea or logic behind moneyball was interesting, and it’s always great to see a small market team like the A’s and Tampa Bay Rays have success. But the fact is you still need money to win in baseball.

At the end of the movie it says something about the Boston Red Sox going on to win two World Championships using the moneyball method. That was a load of garbage to make Beane feel good about himself. The Red Sox won because they have money to get the best players that produce the numbers portrayed in moneyball.

Today’s game has changed and it’s all thanks to Beane and his staff. Small market teams are able to put a decent team on the field at a reasonable cost and if things happen to click the right way they may actually end up in the playoffs. Or hopefully you build enough fan support that you can afford to buy players to help you succeed.

The moneyball method will soon be a thing of the past, as with the Athletics in Oakland. I’m glad this movie came out when it did and I think it was directed in a way that it will be a great baseball movie for generations to come. To me it not only marks the beginning of a new era in baseball, but it also puts an end to the steroid area, which ironically was created by two former A’s players.

This was a great movie and excellent publicity for the sport of baseball.

You can follow Jake on Twitter at: @j8a1k0e or on his MLB Braves blog at: http://bravesandmore.mlblogs.com