I had to listen to this exchange a dozen times to make sure I transcribed it correctly. I am now much, much dumber. My hope is that you, too, will be much, much dumber after reading it.
The problem with the ‘Moneyball’ A’s, according to Buck Martinez
Don Orsillo: Buck, are you surprised that they sort of skipped their Game 1 starter, Bartolo Colon, for tonight’s Game 5?
Buck Martinez: Not at all. Given what Sonny Gray did in Game 2, matching up against Verlander, I think this is the one piece that’s been missing in the A’s postseason game -- an impact arm like Sonny Gray. And Bob Melvin wasn’t going to waste that opportunity to pitch him in this game.
You know, a lot of people criticizing Moneyball philosophy of Oakland, saying they’re built for the regular season. They haven’t had an impact starter like Sonny Gray for a while.
The Moneyball A’s couldn’t hack it in the playoffs because they didn’t have any impact arms. That’s ... not how I remember it. The whole story of Moneyball was centered around guys like Tim Hudson ...
... and Mark Mulder.
It’s pretty crazy to ignore their contributions to the movie, book, and philosophy. For shame, Buck Martinez.
See More:
