Manhattanville gets analytical
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 15, 2009 
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Manhattanville College’s sports management program has done some groundbreaking work. It sounds like more is on the way based on this press release:
Manhattanville College, in conjunction with its Graduate Sports Business Management program announces the establishment of the Manhattanville Sports Analytic Institute. The goals of the Institute are to utilize objective, data-based analysis to address contemporary issues facing the business of sports, which will be of value to sports teams, leagues, player unions, agents, sponsors and other sports-related entities. It will be headed by Manhattanville adjunct professor Vince Gennaro.
“The Sports Analytic Institute is a natural evolution for us, as it will draw heavily on the resources we’ve assembled that form the foundation of our leading sports management program. It’s a great opportunity for our students and faculty to showcase their thought leadership to the sports community,” according to Dave Torromeo, Director of the Graduate Sports Business Management program
The Manhattanville Sports Analytic Institute has named Adjunct Professor Vince Gennaro as its Executive Director. Gennaro, author of Diamond Dollars: The Economics of Winning in Baseball, is a consultant to several Major League Baseball teams and a former Division President at PepsiCo. “I’m excited to help Manhattanville realize its vision of being a leader in sports education and look forward to working with our faculty and students to partner with the sports community to bring quantitative analysis to the forefront in dealing with today’s business challenges,” said Gennaro.
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Vince Gennaro has contributed some work to this blog in the past and we’re looking forward to seeing what he and his students come up with. We’ll certainly volunteer space here for any of their work involving the Yankees.
any relation to Holly Gennaro?
longoria out today yay !
So what exactly do these guys do? Do they teach people who go and work for companies like Baseball Prospectus or do they actually compete with them?
Where can I apply?
From Neil Best’s live chat:
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/
[Comment From Jason]
Neil — Any news from YES on ideas to improve the high-home camera, avoiding the view through the netting behind home plate?
I asked Randy Levine about this yesterday. Read my Friday column for more on that, but in the short term the answer is basically that it is what it is. No solution in sight. But Randy says the media is making a bigger deal about it than we should and that the Yanks have not gotten many complaints from fans. I told him I have!
Good luck to these guys. I love numbers and I love sports, but working with statistics would glaze my eyes over.
Rebecca,
I left you an “analysis” of the Boston/Oakland game in the last thread.
m: I saw, thank you
ya
“The Sox game was almost as good as the Yankees game. Big Papi had bases juiced (pun intended) and popped out behind the 1B/2B/CF area.”
Very, nicely done M, very nicely done lol.
Randy Levine is not the one to talk to if you want anythinng done regarding the new stadium.
Lonn Trust is the man. He cares about that stadium as if it were one of his kids.
Start blog, get stuff, become world’s biggest Thunder fan:
http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....ecame.html
Buster’s Blog – didn’t realize that about the scouting:
A.J. Burnett was dominant against the Rays on Tuesday night. It’ll be interesting to see how the Rays position their outfielders in Wednesday’s game against Brett Gardner because the Yankees’ center fielder twice drove the ball over the head of a wide-ranging Tampa Bay outfielder—first, Gardner slammed a double over Carl Crawford, and later, he slammed an extra-base hit over center fielder B.J. Upton.
• The Yankees, by the way, have changed the way they do their advance scouting. Rather than hiring full-time scouts to trail the teams the Yankees are about to play, a lot of the advance-scouting work is being done by the current coaching staff through the use of video.
I actually graduated from the program in December (and even had a project we did with Prof. Gennaro mentioned in this space) and now work in baseball analysis and I think this is a great step forward for the program.
Pauly,
lol. Thank goodness he wasn’t able to squeeze any juice out that one.
There was a point when Ortiz was walking back to the dugout, and I almost (almost) felt sorry for him. He just had this incredibly lost look on his face, the jolly man looked very sad. But then I caught myself and said, “Wait. This is a good thing.” And anytime I start feeling sorry for an opponent they do something to hurt my team. So, too bad, so sad for Ortiz that his HOF buddy ran away from Boston.
Okay, I know the Sox have won two WS after they shipped Nomah. But what’s the dealio with the SS position. Is it cursed? They’ve got Nick Green, Nick Green! Who’s replacing Jed Lowrie, Jed Lowrie! Better them, than us, I guess.
(sorry for the repitition, Pete refuses to give us our HTML tags back)
Not good news about the net.
That’s a glaring instance of the Yankees not doing what’s right for the fans.
It’s also bad for the YES Network because it cheapens the look of the broadcast.
In other words, you spend 1.3 billion dollars for a new palace and it make the team look like the Durham Bulls instead of the NY Yankees.
Can’t for the life of me why anybody associated with the Yankees think that’s a “good” thing.
SJ:
I’m under the impression that the problem camera is the one behind the plate…but isn’t most of the game shot from centerfield?
Is it possible, and I’m playing Devil’s advocate here, but is it possible that it’s really not as big a deal as people are making it out to be?
Rishi,
Thanks for that. It’s a little sad, and I’m sure the old-school guys will lament the extinction of these dinosaurs. (Did you read the article on how little those old-timer scouts get paid? Sad, with all the money flowing through MLB).
But on a different level, it totally makes sense. The scouts can see with their own eyes, and you can see archived video of the pitchers you’re going to face. Everything is so high tech nowadays, so it’s the way to go. But it’s kind of sad to see advance scouting become a dying art.
Some interesting notes from Rosenthal regarding Ortiz, Bay, Brandon Wood and others.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....d?MSNHPHMA
Ortiz said he won’t miss Manny and it won’t have any effect on him.
It looks like he’s going to miss Manny batting behind him as much as he misses his “Dominican Milkshakes”!
Love him or hate him Manny made Ortiz….now watch the Sox fans turn on Ortiz like they have done to all their other heroes.
Okay, I know the Sox have won two WS after they shipped Nomah. But what’s the dealio with the SS position. Is it cursed? They’ve got Nick Green, Nick Green! Who’s replacing Jed Lowrie, Jed Lowrie! Better them, than us, I guess.
Not to mention they signed Lugo in lieu of Orlando Cabrera and traded away Hanley Ramirez. I understand they got Beckett and Lowell in that deal, who were both instrumental in 07, it’s just funny how Theo Epstein seems to be incompetent in evaluating shortstops. Kind’ve like Cash and Asian pitchers.
Rebecca,
Anytime you take a popular camera angle away, it cheapens a broadcast.
Every team in baseball has that camera angle and it’s a clean shot except the Yankees. I just don’t understand their stubborness on this issue.
It’s not a safety issue. It’s a design defect issue.
Just admit the error, correct it, and move on.
There are issues worth standing your ground on. This isn’t one of them, IMO.
SJ-
I have come to believe that Randy Levine will never admit to any wrongs when it comes to the Stadium at least not publicly. I would not be surprised if the net issue some how resolves itself sooner rather than later without any fanfare or anyone in the Yankee organization speaking about it.
SJ,
Someone asked you about the game last night. Did I miss your response?
I’d like your opinion, especially on AJ schooling Longoria in the 4th and the Yankees fight after they lost the lead.
TJ
April 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Ortiz said he won’t miss Manny and it won’t have any effect on him.
It looks like he’s going to miss Manny batting behind him as much as he misses his “Dominican Milkshakes”!
Love him or hate him Manny made Ortiz….now watch the Sox fans turn on Ortiz like they have done to all their other heroes.
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Yeah…Red Sox fans and Yankee fans are more alike than people would like to admit.
“Pauly April 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Okay, I know the Sox have won two WS after they shipped Nomah. But what’s the dealio with the SS position. Is it cursed? They’ve got Nick Green, Nick Green! Who’s replacing Jed Lowrie, Jed Lowrie! Better them, than us, I guess.
Not to mention they signed Lugo in lieu of Orlando Cabrera and traded away Hanley Ramirez. I understand they got Beckett and Lowell in that deal, who were both instrumental in 07, it’s just funny how Theo Epstein seems to be incompetent in evaluating shortstops. Kind’ve like Cash and Asian pitchers.”
I’m just glad Hanley Ramirez is not on the Sox, that kid is an amazing player…..put a package together for him once ‘el capitan’ retires?
nady out?
SJ: Ah, I see your point.
I guess I’m not like most baseball fans, then, because I’m not very particular about camera angles. It does sound like something that shouldn’t be too hard to fix.
Manny who? They still have J*son B*y.
Haven’t you heard?
Ort*z + B*y + L*well = the best trio in the history of all sports, and when you add Y*kilis + P*der*ia to the mix, AL east title is already in the bag.
It’s amazing how much Rosenthal slurps the Red Sox.
Penny will be as productive as Burnett? Not a chance if both stay healthy.
He should have sat behind home plate with me last night and see if he still has that opinion today.
Brad Penny has never pitched in the AL.
AJ has dominated AL hittters for the last 14 months. The guy has the best pure stuff in the game.
Now, it seems his mind has caught up to his arm. That makes jim one scary talent.
Re: Longoria. He’s a great young player. AJ did what you have to do with him. Make him uncomfortable at the plate. One of the ways to have success with him.
I think today is cowbell give away day so we should all be prepared. Pete I feel badly for you.
SJ44
April 15th, 2009 at 11:45 am
It’s amazing how much Rosenthal slurps the Red Sox.
Penny will be as productive as Burnett? Not a chance if both stay healthy.
He should have sat behind home plate with me last night and see if he still has that opinion today.
Brad Penny has never pitched in the AL.
AJ has dominated AL hittters for the last 14 months. The guy has the best pure stuff in the game.
Now, it seems his mind has caught up to his arm. That makes jim one scary talent.
***Re: Longoria. He’s a great young player. AJ did what you have to do with him. Make him uncomfortable at the plate. One of the ways to have success with him*** .
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That’s something that I’d like to see Pettitte do to Pena today. He stays in the box too comfortably against Pettitte. Move his feet in every at bat. He’s the guy Pettitte has to watch, today. He handles Crawford and Upton as well as anybody does.
I’m just glad Hanley Ramirez is not on the Sox, that kid is an amazing player…..put a package together for him once ‘el capitan’ retires?
Amen to that. I had enough of that other Ramirez in Boston, and a lineup of ellsbury, pedroia, ortiz, H.ramirez, youkilis, bay, lowell, etc. is not something I’d want to be up against. He re-upped with the Marlins last year through 2k14, and it would be a beautiful thing to see him in pinstripes if a need at SS presents itself down the road.
SJ, I’m sorry if you already mentioned this – but as you were at the game last night, what did you think about AJ and did you see from him in the last two starts( and in Spring Training) what you were hoping to see? Thanks!
Rebecca, if you think about it, most, if not all of the infield plays are shot from that home plate camera. How cheap would it look if all kinds of wires and nets were in front of you as you tried to see Jeter do his jump throw to Tex?
Ugh – and the Yankees consider scouting by video an upgrade? Terrible. You have to see players in person – I don’t get this at all.
today’s game is a 4pm first pitch, probably won’t be a sellout b/c of the time b/c they aren’t that committed so it probably won’t be as obnoxiously loud for today’s game.
I think they should make artificial noisemakers illegal at the ballpark, idiots w/ cowbells and huge airhorns wanting to do the wave every 2 minutes while a no hitter was in progress….this Major League Baseball NOT the Circus
I didn’t click on Rosenthal’s article because he’s a fool, but even the gurus on ESPN and MLB were impressed (how could you not be) with AJ…… did he really say that about Penny? With the Sox luck, he’ll probably be good for them, but honestly, does he have a game in him as good as AJ?
“Penny will be as productive as Burnett? Not a chance if both stay healthy.”
No doubt. There’s the misconception in the media that if you can sign a guy for 1/3 the price, and if he gives you 1/2 the production of the more expensive player, then you’ve succeeded. Fact is, AJ will be relied upon by the Yanks so much differently than Penny with the Sox. AJ will start big games in the postseason – Penny will be the 4th starter in a series. Huge difference. The comparison just doesn’t work.
“AJ did what you have to do with him. Make him uncomfortable at the plate. One of the ways to have success with him .”
The best part of that episode was how AJ took it upon himself to redress what Garza tried to do to Swisher.
Me thinks the new members of the team are becoming important partners in the clubhouse very quickly.
Rebecca -
I read the post on your blog. Great gift box!
Just fyi – the dog bobblehead is named “Chase,” and he brings bats back to the dugout during the game.
(I have a pair of Yankees wristbands, which I actually use!
Makes me feel serious.)
About the advance scouts – I always felt that whoever was doing that for the Yankees weren’t doing a good job. I know I’m not well-schooled in this, but wouldn’t advance scouts or shouldn’t advance scouts be able to help prepare the team to face, for instance, pitchers they’ve never seen before? The Yankees had always looked like they were totally unprepared in those situations.
While I lament the loss of the use of actual people, I do wonder if maybe this is the way to go at least for now, to see if it works better?
Doreen
April 15th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
About the advance scouts – I always felt that whoever was doing that for the Yankees weren’t doing a good job. I know I’m not well-schooled in this, but wouldn’t advance scouts or shouldn’t advance scouts be able to help prepare the team to face, for instance, pitchers they’ve never seen before? The Yankees had always looked like they were totally unprepared in those situations.
While I lament the loss of the use of actual people, I do wonder if maybe this is the way to go at least for now, to see if it works better?
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As long as the excuse being used isn’t the same as Marge Schott’s. “Why should I pay for advanced scouts? All they do is sit and watch ball games.”
GB7 -
Ah, Marge Schott. There was a character, to say the least.
Doreen
April 15th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
GB7 –
Ah, Marge Schott. There was a character, to say the least.
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she was a nasty old broad. She had half the money in Cincinnatti. She reminds me of the of the Shirley McLain character Ouizee in “Steel Magnolias”.
GB7 -
Good comparison, I think. But I think in the end Ouizee had a heart – I don’t think Marge ever did, except for her dogs. (but that’s not really fair or nice to say since I didn’t know her personally)
Betsy,
Lots of teams are going to video scouting. Just a sign of the times these days.
As far as AJ is concerned, I really believe he’s this eras Schilling. A guy who figures it out in his 30’s and becomes a dominating pitcher.
It’s more than just stuff. It’s taking ownership in the team.
Giving them 8 innings last night to rest the ‘pen.
Learning Chinese to be able to communicate with Wang.
You take those things, plus his pitching ability, and the comparisons to Penny, the Red Sox fifth starter and nothing more, are ridiculous.
He could have lost his cool in the 7th last night. Instead, he dug in, gutted it out, and won the game.
Very Schilling-like.
How do we organize a write-in or email campaign to Mr. Personality, Randy Levine, regarding the need to move that @#$%&*#@ net?
Scouting a team at the game has its merits but scouts can’t possibly see everything.
Video can rewind and pick up flaws on slo-mo such as a hitter with a hitch in his swing or a pitcher tipping pitches among many other flaws.
Doreen
April 15th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
GB7 –
Good comparison, I think. But I think in the end Ouizee had a heart – I don’t think Marge ever did, except for her dogs. (but that’s not really fair or nice to say since I didn’t know her personally)
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From everything that I’ve seen printed about her, she had very few friends, if any. She really alienated the baseball world and most of that area with her comments about Herr Adolph and her shrines. Paul O’Neill and Lou Piniella was especially cutting in their remarks.