Keith Law of ESPN uses stats, trends, win shares, whatever ad nauseam, but is apparently unable to conduct the simplest web search to avoid making himself look like a fool. In his latest entry regarding the Rangers acquisition of Josh Hamilton—-Law Blog—-he identifies Johnny Narron as the "former Reds manager" and suggests that the Rangers hire him as Hamilton’s "support system" just as he was in Cincinnati with the Reds. I hate to break it to Law, but it was Jerry Narron who was the Reds (and former Rangers) manager; Johnny’s his brother. It took me about two seconds to find Johnny Narron on the web and validate his status as a former minor league manager and support system of Hamilton. Here’s a link to get you started on simple web searches: Google.com. It ain’t that hard.
It Ain’t That Hard To Use Google, Mr. Harvard-Educated Stat Geek
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Paul Lebowitz
I don’t know why you feel it is necessary to go after all of the analysts and experts, especially for something as miniscule as this.
http://statisticianmagician.mlblogs.com/
It’s no more minuscule than the relentless reliance on some of these stats that can be twisted to fit any theory and especially for someone like Law, who’s getting paid for his writings, is smug and condescending and doesn’t want to bother to do two seconds worth of research to make sure such a mistake doesn’t happen.
One always has to question all the “new” stats produced now. Sometimes these stat guys get too much credit for their analysis. There are some that I take seriously, some I don’t. If I find/hear something Law produces I usually have to check him out, mainly because of Tracy Ringolsby column on 11/26/06:
“Let’s see, Keith Law is forced out as an adviser to Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi, and ESPN makes him an instant celebrity in his evaluation of everything from amateur draft choices to MVP voting.
Law runs his statistical analyses and gets personal with those with whom he disagrees.
Wonder if he is using the same analysis system that helped him in Toronto when the Blue Jays signed Eric Hinske to that four-year contract and proclaimed him the foundation for the Jays’ future? Was it the same approach to evaluation that led to the Jays using back-to-back first-round picks on Russ Adams and Aaron Hill, neither of whom emerged as the needed shortstop?”
When Ringolsby (Gammons,Stark or Hummell) puts something in an article I’ll believe it, no questions asked.
http://mikemac.mlblogs.com
I don’t really mind the use of stats; but with guys like Law, I get the impression that he’s making snide faces and rolling his eyes if you disagree with his precious numbers. I didn’t know he was fired in Toronto. How can someone be considered a baseball expert and not know the difference between Jerry and Johnny Narron? And if a writer is getting paid for his writings and has even the slightest shred of doubt, he should do a quick check on the web before posting. (He should actually check anyway, even if he’s 99% sure of what he’s saying. It saves some embarrassment.) This wasn’t a typo; it was just a screw up that should’ve been avoided if Law’s such an “expert”.
Law brings his radar gun and scouts players himself while using those stats Mike. That is why I like him so much.
http://statisticianmagician.mlblogs.com/
The mistake on Law’s blog was edited.