How to insert your opinions without inserting your opinions

Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer took a look at the Phillies’ decision-making process, complete with a money quote from Ruben Amaro, Jr., who literally said, “I don’t care about walks.” It’s a fascinating article, and one that’s worth your time.

It must have been hard for Gelb, a smart writer, not to insert his opinions. It’s a straight and dry feature, so there wouldn’t have been room for it. However, this is a quiet, amazing takedown that isn’t really close to being a takedown:

Sabermetrics, or the advanced research of baseball, extends beyond mere numbers.

In Washington, general manager Mike Rizzo commissioned a four-month study of the team’s medical needs, which led to the hiring of a doctor who analyzes players’ blood to determine what nutrients are required to help prevent injury.

The Mets this spring installed a system called TrackMan that uses missile-tracking technology to measure the speed, angle, and location of every batted ball. Seventeen teams use the system, according to the New York Times, and it could finally provide reliable defensive metrics.

Rick Petersen, Baltimore’s minor-league pitching coordinator, conducts biomechanical studies of his prospects’ pitching deliveries in an attempt to reduce injury.

The Chicago Cubs partnered with Bloomberg Sports in January to develop “a state-of-the-art player evaluation system” touted in a news release issued by the club.

The Houston Astros created a front office position titled “director of decision sciences” and hired a former NASA employee. The Boston Red Sox have employed Bill James, viewed as the father of modern baseball analysis, since 2003.

Proefrock would not detail the Phillies’ initiatives, or if any exist.

That’s poetry. I wouldn’t even call it sabermetrics anymore because the term rankles too many people. It’s just figuring-out-why-stuff-happens-metrics. And, yeah, it has to do with all of that up there and probably 600 things we aren’t thinking about because we’re not paid to be smart and thinking about how baseball works.