Title/Author:
“Scorecasting:
The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won” by Tobias
Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim, narration by Zach McClarty
Tags:
Baseball,
football (American), basketball, hockey, soccer, business
Publish date:
January 25,
2011
Length:
288 pages
Rating:
4 of 5
stars (very good)
Review:
While the
study of economics and trends that are set in the field will usually cause
yawns, if one were to take this type of research and apply it to sports, the
result is an interesting and entertaining book. That was done by two men at the
University of Chicago and the findings were interesting. Many previous
reviewers of this book felt it was very similar to “Freakonomics” as the
studies were done in a similar manner and I have to agree with them.
The book
is divided into sections that discuss studies that have the simple goal of
whether to prove or disprove some of the conventional thinking that occurs in
many sports. Is it better to punt on fourth down in football or attempt to gain
the yardage needed for a first down? Does defense really win
championships? Is it better to let the “hot”
shooter keep getting the basketball? Do
baseball umpires have different strike zones?
Does home field advantage really exist. These questions and other
interesting topics are studied in this book and the results can be surprising.
There are
also psychological studies that examine bias in sports officials, umpires and
referees and also in athletes in which they appear to be more afraid of failing
than courageous enough to go for a situation. An example of this uses Tiger
Woods and putting, saying that he can be human as well because he too leaves
putts short. Baseball fans will enjoy the section about why the Chicago Cubs
are perennial losers yet always has high attendance figures.
I won’t
give away the results as to whether the myths are verified or not, but these
are studied in great detail with many games in each applicable sport analyzed
and broken down. That was one of the better aspects of this book as it covered
each topic in a thorough manner. Zach McLarty does a good job of narration in
the book. He doesn’t get monotone but doesn’t overdo the excitement either,
since after all, this IS a book with a lot of facts and figures.
Overall, I
thought this was a solid book about exploring many of the usual ways of
thinking in sports today. The results of these studies may surprise you, and it
will entertain you along the way. There are some sections that are heavy with
numbers and figures – they can be somewhat challenging to wade through whether
reading or listening to the book. However, this is still a book that is well worth
the investment for any sports fan.
Did I skim?
No
Pace of the book:
For the
most part, it was good. At times, the statistical findings of some of the
studies was a bit slow when listening to the list being read. But the narration of the findings, as well as
the anecdotes on each one was read at a good pace.
Do I recommend?
Yes. I felt this was a unique way to study if some
of the conventional thinking in sports was really true or if it was simply a
myth. Because all of the major sports
were included in the book, a sports fan will enjoy this book no matter his or
her favorite game.
Book Format Read/Listened:
Audio book
Buying links:
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