Billy Beane
Billy Beane | ||
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William Lamar Beane III (born March 29, 1962) is an American former
A first-round pick in the
Early life
Beane grew up in
Beane attended
Despite the decrease in batting average,
Baseball career
Playing career
The
Believing Beane to be a more refined player than their top first round pick,
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Billy_Beane_1989.jpg/265px-Billy_Beane_1989.jpg)
Beane remained in Jackson until 1984, when he received his first promotion to MLB, appearing in five games for the
The Twins entered spring training prepared to give Beane the job as their starting left fielder over incumbent Mickey Hatcher, but he dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness.[18] Beane appeared in 80 games for the 1986 Minnesota Twins, batting .216.[19] He also appeared in 32 games for the Toledo Mud Hens of the International League. The Twins sent Beane to their new Class-AAA affiliate, the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), after spring training in 1987.[20] After batting .285 for Portland, Beane received a call-up to the Twins after the September 1 roster expansion.[19][21] He appeared in 12 games for the 1987 Minnesota Twins.
The Twins traded Beane to the
Front office career
Weary of the lifestyle of a minor league player, Beane approached Athletics GM
Under the ownership of
Beane succeeded Alderson as GM on October 17, 1997.[36] He continued Alderson's crafting of the Athletics into one of the most cost-effective teams in baseball. For example, in the 2006 MLB season, the Athletics ranked 24th of 30 major league teams in player salaries but had the 5th-best regular-season record.[37]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Moneyball_21_%286783735346%29.jpg/250px-Moneyball_21_%286783735346%29.jpg)
The Athletics reached the playoffs in four consecutive years from 2000 through 2003, losing in the American League Division Series each year. In 2002, the Athletics became the first team in the 100+ years of American League (AL) baseball to win 20 consecutive games. They won their first playoff series under Beane in 2006 when they swept the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series, but were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.
It's all about evaluating skills and putting a price on them. Thirty years ago, stockbrokers used to buy stock strictly by feel. Let's put it this way: Anyone in the game with a 401(k) has a choice. They can choose a fund manager who manages their retirement by gut instinct, or one who chooses by research and analysis. I know which way I'd choose.
–Billy Beane[38]
After the 2002 season, the Boston Red Sox made Beane an offer of $12.5 million to become their GM,[35] but he declined.[39] On April 15, 2005, Beane received a contract extension to remain with the Athletics as the team's general manager through 2012, and new team owner Lewis Wolff awarded Beane a small portion of the team's ownership.[40] In February 2012, the Athletics extended Beane's contract through 2019.[41]
From their 2006 playoff appearance until 2012, the Athletics did not make the playoffs or finish above .500, which triggered criticism of Beane and his approach in some quarters, especially in 2009.[38] Beane largely dismisses criticism of his approach, indicating that his philosophy revolves around research and analysis.[38] Many other general managers have followed Beane's strategy and now use similar approaches.[42]
"Moneyball" has changed how players are valued, and Beane had begun concentrating on high school players, a group he once largely ignored, in the
In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named Beane #10 on its list of the Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade in all sports.[44][a]
On October 5, 2015, the Athletics announced that Beane had been promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations. Assistant GM David Forst assumed the job of general manager.[45] In November 2022, Beane transitioned into a new role as senior advisor to owner John Fisher, and Forst became the new head of baseball operations.[1]
Activities outside baseball
Soccer
When the Athletics ownership group agreed to purchase the reincarnation of the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, Beane, who has expressed a passion for soccer, began developing a system for objectively analyzing soccer players. He has agreed to help the Earthquakes front office develop a method for building a cost-effective team, as the salary cap in MLS is even more restrictive than the Athletics status as a small-market team in Major League Baseball.[46] However, a system has yet to be implemented.
Beane has regarded Arsenal's former manager Arsène Wenger as a personal idol. Beane has held discussions with Wenger, former Manchester United F.C. manager Alex Ferguson, and Liverpool F.C. owner John W. Henry.[47] His friendship with ex-Arsenal scout Damien Comolli and Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke allowed him to delve deep into the world of English soccer.[48]
In March 2015, the Dutch soccer club
Software industry
On January 4, 2007, the software company NetSuite named Beane to its board of directors. NetSuite co-founder Evan Goldberg cited Beane's ability to combine facts with instinct as an important factor in the decision to involve him in the company.[53] Beane also served as a consultant for, and appears in, the video game MLB Front Office Manager.[54][55]
Moneyball
Author
The book was made into the 2011 film Moneyball,[38] in which Beane was portrayed by Brad Pitt. Pitt's performance in the film earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Personal life
Beane's first marriage was to Cathy Sturdivant. The couple has a daughter, Casey Beane.
Beane is married to Tara Beane.[58] The couple have twins, Brayden and Tinsley Beane.[38][59]
Beane attended the University of California, San Diego, during the baseball off-seasons of his playing career.[60]
Notes
- ^ The list's only other MLB executives were Theo Epstein (No. 3) and Pat Gillick (No. 7).[44]
References
- Bibliography
- ISBN 0-393-05765-8.
- In-line citations
- ^ a b "A's architect Beane takes on new role as senior advisor". www.mlb.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Billy Beane takes minority stake in AZ". www.az.nl. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Moneyball. p. 66.
- ^ "Oakland A's: Executive Profiles: Billy Beane". Mlb.mlb.com. October 17, 1997. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 7.
- ^ a b Moneyball. p. 9.
- ^ a b Moneyball. p. 10.
- ^ "Mets get first grab". The Bonham Daily Favorite. United Press International. June 3, 1980. p. 3. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
- ^ Moneyball. pp. 10–11.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 11.
- ^ Moneyball. pp. 12–137.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 43.
- ^ a b Moneyball. p. 44.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 45.
- ^ Moneyball. pp. 46–47.
- ^ "Twins Trade Tim Teufel". The Michigan Daily. Associated Press. January 17, 1986. p. 9. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ "Mets Trade for Twins' Teufel; Stadler, Mize Share Hope Lead". Sun Sentinel. January 17, 1986. p. 2.C. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- Minneapolis Star Tribune. March 21, 1987. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ a b Hafner, Dan (September 5, 1987). "American League Roundup Expanded Roster Gives Twins a Quick Payoff". Los Angeles Times. p. 10. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ "Twins deal for Gladden, drop Hatcher, Sample". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. April 1, 1987. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ "Puckett homer could spur pennant drive". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. September 4, 1987. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ "Expos Buy Pinch-Hitter Nettles". Philadelphia Daily News. March 25, 1988. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- Toledo Blade. p. 23. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ "Transactions". Ludington Daily News. Associated Press. April 29, 1988. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ Lee, Jane (March 26, 2015). "Billy Beane introduced Billy Bean to team today. They played in same OF in Toledo in 1988. At one point, other outfielder's last name: Rice".
- ^ San Jose Mercury News. January 17, 1990. p. 2D. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ "Sanderson Wants to Get Back into the Rotation". The Sacramento Bee. April 2, 1990. p. D7. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 55.
- ^ "Beane Offered Scouting Job, Rickey Says He'll Ask To Renegotiate if he Has Big Season". San Jose Mercury News. April 3, 1990. p. 2E. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 62.
- ^ "Rickey Sings New York, New York". The Sacramento Bee. July 18, 1993. p. C11. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 57.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 58.
- ^ Moneyball. p. 59.
- ^ a b Moneyball. pp. 62–63.
- ^ "Beane Takes Over For Alderson: Former GM Will Remain Team President". The Sacramento Bee. October 18, 1997. p. C4. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
- ^ "MLB Standings – 2006".
- ^ a b c d e f Bryant, Howard (July 27, 2009). "The Revolutionary". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ Chass, Murray (November 11, 2002). "Beane Wavers, Then Says No to Red Sox". The New York Times. p. D9. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "Beane also gets extension through 2012". ESPN. Associated Press. April 1, 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ^ "Oakland Athletics agree to extend GM Billy Beane, President Michael Crowley through 2019". Associated Press. February 7, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- Grantland.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- Grantland.com. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
- ^ a b Friedman, Dick (December 22, 2009). "2000s: Top 10 GMs/Executives". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ Calcaterra, Craig (October 5, 2015). "Billy Beane promoted to VP, David Forst named A's general manager". Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- ^ Kelly, Cathal (August 21, 2007). "Mr. Beane's love affair with football". The Star. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
- ^ Bascombe, Chris (October 13, 2011). "Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is an idol of mine, says revered baseball coach Billy Beane". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
- ^ "AZ Alkmaar hire Oakland A's general manager and Moneyball hero Billy Beane". The Guardian. March 18, 2015.
- ^ "West Ham v AZ Alkmaar: The Dutch Moneyball team chasing Europa Conference victory". BBC Sport. May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Club Statement Barnsley F.C. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ PRESS: Majority Shareholders Address The Media. Barnsley F.C. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ "Billy Beane takes seat on NetSuite board". San Francisco Business Times. January 4, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
- ^ Srinivasan, Shanker (November 21, 2008). "GameSpot MLB Front Office Manager First Look". GameSpot. p. 1. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- 2K Sports. October 31, 2008. Archived from the originalon October 25, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ^ Kuper, Simon (November 13, 2011). "Inside Baseball: Michael Lewis and Billy Beane talk Moneyball". Slate. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ "Rethinking Moneyball – MLB – Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo! Sports. February 22, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ "Meet Billy Beane's Daughter Casey Beane With Wife Tara Beane - Photos and Facts".
- San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- ^ "Bay Area ballclubs have two gems for GMs: The A's Billy Beane and the Giants' Brian Sabean employ different philosophies, but both generate successful results". The Sacramento Bee. February 12, 2006. p. C1. Retrieved March 1, 2012.[permanent dead link]
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)