The "media" run the game, per Billy Beane

Why the publicity on the total save stat and the use of some closers who only pitch the 9th inning:

• (ESPN.com, 8/5/08)): ""I'll tell you why," Oakland general manager Billy Beane says.... "Because when it doesn't work, 30 of you guys come storming in wondering why the manager didn't go to the closer.""

(SO WHAT? Who cares? The media "guys" should have absolutely nothing to do with managerial decisions. Billy Beane is saying they do and that managers make decisions because of the media's reaction. Are Billy Beane and other managers a bunch of weaklings?)

• (ESPN.com, Billy Beane): "It's turned into a situation where a lot of emotion is tied to that decision.... Even if you know the odds, it's more comfortable being wrong when you go to the closer....

"The position

• has become

• very media-driven.

It became a national story when Boston announced it would go with a bullpen by committee.""...

• ('Has become' means it evolved. Someone started it. Who?)

Tom Verducci in SI.com echos Beane's assessment:

• "Just try to use your closer for two innings, for instance, and you might as well

• call a news conference asking to be fired."

I understand the media likes to feel important and this kind of thing allows them to do so. I question the ethics of anyone who would seek a job like this, being part of gang tactics, in the first place.

Tweet Stumbleupon StumbleUpon