Baseball ProGUESTus: Answers from a Sabermetrician, Part 2

Tom Tango answers questions at BP. Here's a snippet:

1) What sabermetric advancement do you think is the least-appreciated by a majority of franchises?

2) I like to flatter myself that I'm an 'early adopter' to the sabermetric perspective on the game, even though it's been so many years since its introduction and uptake by those like yourself. Is sabermetrics already 'mainstream' in your mind, or how long do you think it will be til it is?

3) What was / will be the tipping point to #2?

1. Regression toward the mean.

2. Sabermetrics will always be on the leading edge. There's no need for it to be in the mainstream. If the mainstream wants to adopt, they know where to find us. If they want to ignore us, they can. We're there to make sure they don't misuse numbers, that's all.

3. I hope it never happens, actually. You look over to your left and right to make sure that whoever wants to be part of the movement has the tools and knowledge to join in. There's no sense in looking over your shoulder to make sure everyone comes along. They aren't in a burning building they are trying to escape. They are on the beach, and they can decide if they want to come surfing with us or not. But I don't need them to tell me that I'm drowning people with numbers. We're giving out surfboards, and they can decide if they want one. And then we'll be happy to make sure they don't drown.

about 1 year ago Eric Simon 6 comments 0 recs |

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that answer to number 3

is freaking awesome!

I LIKE IKE!

by astromets on May 26, 2011 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Really, regression?

It’s painful to think that a “majority” of teams don’t understand this. Tango must’ve meant grission.. yeah, grission is definitely under appreciated…

Kicking knowledge in the face.

by BlackOps on May 26, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

I definitely agree that it's regression

I think most SABz0R writers on the internet don’t get it either

by Sam Page on May 26, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

i feel like thats really what SABR is all about

sure, comparing a players true value is how it started, but now its used to see if someone is playing at a level that is sustainable, in line with their career…

I LIKE IKE!

by astromets on May 26, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions