It has been well documented how the Oakland Athletics changed the financial game in the late 1990's, when Billy Beane helped invent the money ball theory. The Theory, for those who don't know, is to look at every statistical equation possible for major league baseball players to determine their value on the open market in free agency.
The A's used this theory to their advantage, as they were able to afford players at a low costs, who could produce consistent results, i.e. Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson all in their prime. The theroies of Money Ball have shaken the game for general managers throughout the game; New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson was one of those moneyball pioneers, and he is trying to do the same stat crunching in New York, even to the chagrin of Mets fans who can't stand watching Ruben Tejada every single night.
But I regress.
A film based on the Money Ball phenomenon is set for release this fall, starring Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Pitt plays Billy Beane in this flick, while Seymour Hoffman plays Art Howe. The film is based off the book by Michael Lewis, the same guy who wrote the Blind Side.
The feature film, "The Blind Side" became a big hit nearly two years ago, and earned Sandra Bullock an Academy Award, in spite of her pompous, over-the-top performance.
The Blind Side detailed the story of Michael Oher, who was raised as a foster child, and "discovered" the unique talent to be an offensive lineman. The real Michael Oher is of course a left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
As popular as the Blind Side movie was it was incredibly flawed. It's opening monologue stating that no NFL coach had figured out the importance of a left tackle until Joe Theisman broke his leg on a hit from Lawrence Taylor was beyond ridiculous. The film took a lot of liberties, painting Oher as an idiot, who could push people around. Oher didn't appreciate the interpretation, and last time I checked, no player can be a dummy and play a three-technique position like left tackle.
But again, it's Hollywood, they don't understand much of anything, other than looking good and sounding good in front of a camera.
Let's hope that Money Ball delivers the goods; we could use it, especially with audiences in the midst of one of the WORST summer movie season's ever! Here is the trailer.
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