Moneyball Questions

1) What was the “Moneyball”approach that Billy Beane and Peter Brandt applied to the Oakland Athletics 2002 season? Was it an “art” or a “science”? What single statistic did they boil their value consideration down to? (In class research/discussion) 
They were trying to get to the playoffs on a cheap budget.  They did so by statistics, it was done by science, n not art.  The main statistic they were going for was getting on base.  


2) What is the equation used to calculate OBP? (In class research/discussion)
  is the equation
3) What is design? (In class research/discussion)

A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or made.

4) Describe 3 situations where movie characters (intentionally or not) applied a step from the PLTW 12 Step Design Process. Explain both the (a) situation as well as (b) how the step is relevant:
1 - Define the Problem
2 - Brainstorm
3 - Communicate Processes and Results


5) What is “Leadership”? List the three aspects of leadership that we come up with in class. (In class research/discussion)

1 - Noble
2 - Smart
3 - Has courage


6) Describe 3 circumstances from the story where a character exercised effective leadership:
1 - Billy Beane used his own money to buy a player because he knew he was good (statistically) 

2 -  Billy Beane had to fire someone (this takes courage)

3 - Billy Beane and the Assistant GM talk to the players to motivate them,encourage them and tell them what to do.



7) According to the movie, what was the A’s record at the start of their winning streak?75 : 50
8) What does this ratio simplify to (roughly)? ___ : 1
6:1
9) How long was the A’s record setting winning streak? ___ games won.
20 games
10) Given the A’s win/loss ratio at the start of the streak (listed two questions above), what are the odds of winning 20 games in a row? Run the numbers. (In class research/discussion)
1.5%

11) Based on your calculation, do you think the A’s got lucky or was there something to the Moneyball approach?
It was partially luck and partially the money ball approach, if the guy didn't hit the home run then they wouldn't have gotten the 20 wins.

12) Did Billy Beane strictly apply the “science” of Moneyball to his management approach? Was there an “art” to his efforts as well? Describe a circumstance where he broke from the Moneyball approach to make a positive change for the team. 
He applied art and science.  He used art by taking a risk and having courage to use all of his money and let go anyone who he thought was a bad influence on the team. He applied science by using statistics in the OBP






Bonus Question (look into this if you’ve finished ahead of the class):
Money Ball was originally a book. What author wrote the book? What other books has this author written? Is there a theme to his writing? 
Michael Lewis wrote the book. Doomsday machine is another book he wrote.