July 9, 2010

BP Podcast

Episode 8: Kevin And Jason Learn Things

by Kevin Goldstein

This time around we leaned on our own for information.  Our feature interview is a fascinating talk with Colin Wyers about all of the new defensive statistics out there, and how the big problem with them just might be the data they are using more than anything else.  Plus, Marc Normandin explains the Padres to us, a long discussion on post-modern fiction, and we respond to an e-mailer looking to work in baseball . . . ok, we crush his dreams.  As always, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we like doing it.

Note: We do alert you to the presence of the occasional adult language. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Up And In Episode 8: "Kevin And Jason Learn Things"

Download Here (96.9 MB: 105:54)
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Contact Information

Email Us: podcast@baseballprospectus.com
Twitter: @kevin_goldstein; @professorparks 
Skype Voicemail: kingclipon

Table Of Contents

0:00: Intro: Agenda review; Housekeeping; going through Jason's trash; Rate us on ITunes

3:25: Emails: Podcast addiction; Tearing into Houston; Crushing the dreams of baseball job seekers

15:10: All-Star Rosters: We have a hard time getting worked up about this

18:39: Weekly Strasburg Update: Signs of humanity; what he'll do from here on out

26:02: Marc Normandin explains to us why the Padres are real, and we don't necessarily agree

35:04: Even we break down and discuss the LeBron-a-pocalypse with Marc

40:06: The Big Issue: Defensive Statistics and what's gone wrong w/ special guest Colin Wyers

• If the data is bad, what are we getting out of it?
• The data problem isn't one of error, it's a problem of bias, and a lesson on parallax
• On a scale from 1-10, just how bad or good is the data?
• The issues with tracking hit location via television coverage
• Are we maybe even better off without this data?
• Colin gets upset over the mere suggestion that we've made progress
• How few defensive stats agree with each other and the lack of convincing tests
• I trap Colin into preferring scouts over stats in measuring defense
• The ideas of experimental repeatability and a tangent on publication bias
• So are we spinning our wheels until the data is good?

65:40: Not Jim Tracy takes his first listener email and talks about the Rockies' two big comeback wins

67:51: What are you drinking, the mystery of Jason's refrigerator and hipster beer

71:45: Pop Culture Moment: Post-modern fiction; Too many –isms and some book suggestions

90:14: The trashman re-cometh and a lesson in recycling

91:25: Talking about Jorge Alfaro, a Dominican Summer League catcher with a .488 OPS

98:03: Thinking about minor league breakout players like Brandon Belt

102:45 Stop following Jason, inviting Ian MacKaye to join us and wrapping it up

Music is Deltron 3030 from their self-titled debut copyright 2000 - 75 Ark Records.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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