The name Billy Beane became known worldwide through the book and the film of the same name “Moneyball”. He talks about how the current Vice President of Baseball Operations leads his team, Oakland Athletics, to the top regions of the MLB despite a small budget.
In an interview with SPOX editor Marcus Blumberg, Beane talks about this year’s playoff of the A’s and gives an insight into the composition of the squad as well as the upcoming duel in the wildcard game with the New York Yankees (Thu., 2am live on DAZN).
SPOX: Mr. Beane, first of all congratulations on the playoff move! How do you rate this service?
Billy Beane: It was a pretty big success for us, especially with our young team and our low payroll. It was a great performance from our young players and of course from our entire coaching staff. We’re very proud of that. And now we’re playing against our feared rivals, the New York Yankees.
SPOX: Did you expect to reach the playoffs at the beginning of the season or was it more of a surprise for you?
Beane: We knew we had a good team. And we knew these guys would play for a playoff spot sometime. But they probably all grew up a little earlier. I mean, we got some players playing their first full season. And they played like stars. This usually happens after a few seasons. So yes, it was surprising.
SPOX: Let’s talk about the wildcard game. Is it a big disadvantage for you that the game takes place in New York?
Beane: I think you always prefer to play in front of your home fans so they have a chance to drive the team. But apart from that, I don’t think our boys care whether they play at home or away. We have a pretty unique group together. And I think they see it pragmatically: Since we play in New York, if we win, we don’t have to travel across the country to Boston (the winner of the wildcard game meets the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series, editor’s note). And since it’s just a game, it’s probably not a clear advantage to play baseball at home anyway. And anyway, we are so glad that we have come this far and now have this chance.
SPOX: Let’s focus on the game. Do you see it as a possibility to use an opener? (After recording the conversation, Liam Hendriks was officially confirmed as an opener. editor’s note)
Beane: Certainly. That’s one of the options we’re going to discuss. We’re talking about a one-game playoff where everyone has to be on deck anyway. And I’m not sure if a traditional starter would be ideal for such a game. After all, the great strength of our team so far has been the bullpen. We may have a starter pitch several innings, but we may well start with an opener.
SPOX: You have used this tactic several times with Liam Hendriks, among others. Would it be an option for you to use the Opener regularly beyond this season?
Beane: I think everyone in baseball will take a closer look at that at the end of the year. It is a very interesting strategy and the Tampa Bay Rays deserve respect here because you have introduced it essential. And especially in sports you would be crazy if you didn’t think about every good idea. It looks like it’s working – it certainly worked for Tampa Bay.
SPOX: Let’s talk about some of your new additions before this season. How do you always find people like Ramon Laureano or Nick Martini who have never played in the big leagues before this season and are now top performers?
Beane: It is simply necessary for us to find such young players and give them a chance. Martini, for example, was hired after six years in the minor leagues. And he was a very good Minor League player, but he was just blocked in a very good farm system of the St. Louis Cardinals. He just needed a chance that we could give him. And in Laureano’s case, we had to trade for him.
SPOX: Why?
Beane: He’s a player we’ve always liked. Like Martini, he was in a very talented system with the Houston Astros. You can’t hold every good young player, so we had the chance to do the trade. Generally speaking, we have to get along with unproven young players. We have to be Borussia Dortmund to New York’s Bayern Munich. That’s our approach.
SPOX: What do you mean by that?
Beane: Ultimately, we don’t have the resources to keep these guys as they mature into stars. But we are proud to find these young players and give them a start in their careers.
Page 1: Billy Beane on the A’s squad, pitching strategies and his ex-player
Page 2: Billy Beane on the top A’s, Ohtani and the future of the team
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