The Extra 2%
Posted on May 29, 2011A new book by JONAH KERI. With foreword by Mark Cuban. The Extra 2%: How Wall Street Strategies Took a Major League Baseball Team from Worst to First. It is 253 pages and a fast read. In summary of book: Difference between success and failure is quite small in pro sports. Every little thing matters. Book focuses on MLB's Tampa Bay Rays. Be bad - draft high. Draft well. Retain best of best. Use analytics to figure out value; sign young players to long term deals to retain value; build around young core; use technology to metric as much as you can; be clinical in honest reviews of players productivity; make sure no stereo effect of coaching to young players; and get all coaches in all systems to speak with one voice as to systems, development, goals and ways to improve. Don't confuse young athletes with too many voices and systems. Don't always believe the outside experts. Did you know Albert Pujols was drafted in the 13th round? Be nice and communicate to fans often as an owner. Thank you. I still await the book from an author on How I Will Win a Championship... All these books are always about "how they won a championship" and they seem so obvious in hindsight.
