Updated: Jul 29, 2003, 10:53 AM

Vote: Friends in high places


The book on Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane is that he is an egotistical know-it-all who thinks he has reinvented baseball. Maybe that's not the whole picture, but that's the impression many people in the game got from reading the best-seller 'Moneyball,' which focuses on Beane, his cutting-edge evaluation techniques and his bold deadline trades -- as well as his harsh assessments of players and other GMs.

Now people in the game are saying that the chickens are coming home to roost. One GM says, "He's going to have a hard time making deals. He's going to have to rely on his friends to help him in three-way trades." Another says, "I don't trust Billy. It's as simple as that."

We want your view of Beane and other general managers in the game. Vote below in our SportsNation poll.

  • 1) Have you read 'Moneyball' (or an excerpt)?
  • 2) Which do you believe?
  • 3) 'Moneyball' describes the way that GM Billy Beane controls the manager, who is considered just a 'middle manager.' That goes against tradition in baseball. Which do you think is better?
  • 4) What is your opinion of the new, more scientific evaluation techniques being employed by Beane, Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi, and Boston GM Theo Epstein?
  • 5) For building a team on a budget, what should GMs value more?
  • 6) What is your opinion of the idea of 'friendships' among GMs?
  • 7) Which GM would you want making deadline deals for your team?

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.

SportsNation on Facebook

THIS WEEK'S CHATS

Monday, May 20 Tuesday, May 21Wednesday, May 22Thursday, May 23
Friday, May 24Sunday, May 26