Thursday, February 26, 2015

What is a good quote from Moneyball by Michael Lewis?

A good quote from Moneyball would describe how Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane approached the task of fielding a competitive team.
Beane's emphasis on sabermetric data is a significant reason why he was a successful general manager in Moneyball.  However, I think that his success is also due in part to his approach to organizational management. One quote that shows this is reflected in his view towards trading for athletes:  

No matter how successful you are, change is always good. There can never be a status quo. When you have no money you can’t afford long-term solutions, only short-term ones. You have to always be upgrading.

Beane sought to challenge the existing attitude many held in the baseball community.  One of those beliefs is that changing the makeup of a team should be undertaken with caution.  Beane challenged this idea because he believed that, as a small-market team, he had to continually look for ways to improve.  He knew that he would not be able to purchase the contract of a very high-priced free agent.  Beane understood that the only way his team would be more competitive is through abandoning a fear of change.  His quote shows how he looked for ways to develop a distinctive edge that could distinguish his organizations from anyone else.  His approach to management embraced change.  Working in his organization forced everyone else to accept it, as well.

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