Moneyball (DVD)

As a mathematician and lifelong baseball fan, I became familiar with the work of Bill James very early, in the 1980's when I was a college professor in mathematics. I even reviewed some of his books and later, when I was editing a math journal, evaluated some submissions based on sabermetrics, the application of mathematics to baseball performance. James developed his work in the late 1970's and at first there was little interest. Necessity being the mother of invention, Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team had a major problem in fielding a competitive team. The Athletics had a very successful season, but their star players were free agents, and they could not compete with the salaries that the big market teams could offer. The Athletics then made the extremely bold move to make personnel and on-field strategy decisions based on the statistical ideas of sabermetrics. Ridiculed at first, the system worked and in 2002, the Athletics were the first team in over 100 years to win 20 games in a row. Over the years, the Athletics have proven to be very successful, despite having one of the lowest payrolls in the major leagues. This movie is the film version of the book “Moneyball,” written by Michael Lewis and it depicts the struggles and challenges that Beane faced in implementing the sabermetrics principles on the field. For they go against many very established traditions in baseball. Brad Pitt delivers a superb performance as Beane. It gives the viewer many insights into how baseball operations are done and the struggles to change the game. While it does help the viewer if they know something about the work of Bill James, such knowledge is not essential. It can be strongly argued that there have been two people that dramatically altered the game of baseball. The first was Babe Ruth, who made the home run an integral part of the game. The second was Bill James, who applied statistics to demonstrate the actual value of many of the acts of the game. Not all of which are cost effective. Now, all teams utilize at least some of the basics of sabermetrics. This movie demonstrates an existence proof of that value.

Good product

My brother loves baseball or any sports movies. I was looking for one that he did not have or have seen. I was in luck-Thanks for having such a great price on this movie, it helps alot when you have to mail anything & it cost so much. They live in Alaska & stay inside or a long while

EXCELLENT! Love true story events. Normally don't seek out sports type stories, but this was excellent!!!

Such a great movie inspiring movie

Nice movie. I don't usually go for true stories, but this is an exception.

This movie would make a good gift for a baseball fan, as many fans pay attention to statistics and salaries. Though numbers are the backbone of this movie, you don't have to process the numbers to get the drama. It's a story about a group of guys becoming a team, but not magically, as in Bad News Bears or Major League, but because of a driven General Manager and his nerdy assistant. There is a bit of human-interest for the ladies that doesn't bog it down terribly. Best of all, it's loosely based on real history, also good for the real baseball fan.

A great behind the scenes movie, very well done and evenly paced. He should have taken the job with the Red Sox, LOL.

Very good baseball movie and Brad Pitt is excellent

Can't count on order's getting here…worthless service!