Sabermetrics

The "data science" of smacking a ball around the grass with a stick

A reporter once proposed to Bill James:  "Sabermetrics is the computerized analysis of baseball statistics ... right?"  To which Bill confidently replied, "I can't imagine a worse definition."

SABR was taken from "The Society for American Baseball Research."  James, about a hundred years ago, called it "the search for objective knowledge about baseball."  In the 1970's a guy would say "Dennis Leonard should stay in the rotation because he just knows how to throw a low-in fastball to get a double play when he really needs it."  James pioneered the idea of producing evidence for the things he claimed.  One of the first things he found (as Dr. D recalls) was that no pitcher can actually produce a Grounds-Into-Double-Play on demand.

We've brought the concept of SABRmetrics full circle:  if you don't buy into Dr. Detecto's comprehensive knowledge of all things Mariner, you can take a hike.  Alternatively, you can ask SABRMatt (a math major and a SABR member) what the math says lately about the M's.  He's probably only two steps behind Dr. D.

Your friend,

Jeff

Posts in this blog:

Point Counterpoint, Dept.
Posted on: 09/23/14
16 Comments
M's and Seahawks each with 14 rounds to go
Posted on: 09/15/14
39+ homers have the Orioles a little bit delirious
Posted on: 09/07/14
3 Comments
Dr. D is, for once, at a loss for an answer
Posted on: 09/05/14
5 Comments
SSI brings "noble gas" for its homies
Posted on: 09/05/14
10 Comments
The next TOR parachutes into the league with gusto
Posted on: 09/02/14
Cliff Lee's career ERA+ = 118
Posted on: 08/11/14
14 Comments
Maybe the low quality camouflages the high quality?
Posted on: 07/29/14
1 Comments
How about "Playing for a Pennant-Race Season" ?
Posted on: 07/28/14
39 Comments
So why are they Free Fallin'
Posted on: 07/27/14
12 Comments
of Critical Mass and Tipping Points
Posted on: 07/27/14
2 Comments
Posted on: 07/17/14
1 Comments
Theory and Praxis, dept.
Posted on: 05/31/14
9 Comments
If you have to ax, you wouldn't unnerstan', Dept.
Posted on: 05/27/14
10 Comments
Nelson Cruz' HR landing spots, overlaid with Safeco
Posted on: 05/24/14
8 Comments
KNOWLEDGE = POWER, dept.
Posted on: 05/22/14
2 Comments
Posted on: 05/22/14
5 Comments
more will-o-the-wisps to go with yer wit and wisdom
Posted on: 05/19/14
22 Comments
Wee Willie Keeler, Dept.
Posted on: 05/19/14
WBC-worthy … or at least PLAYOFF-worthy … SP's
Posted on: 05/13/14
2 Comments
Scotch is a depressant, you know. May I recommend P90X and tinfoil
Posted on: 04/26/14
2 Comments
John Dewan's "defensive runs saved"
Posted on: 04/26/14
2 Comments
if he's really so big and tough, that is
Posted on: 04/24/14
4 Comments
Posted on: 04/03/14
7 Comments
LoMo planning a vicious beatdown of Jered Weaver
Posted on: 03/31/14
Posted on: 03/20/14
7 Comments
Posted on: 03/13/14
Post-hype sleeper syndrome
Posted on: 03/02/14
8 Comments
Posted on: 02/19/14
7 Comments
The illusion of security. Operative word ILLUSION
Posted on: 02/15/14
3 Comments

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