Comments

Congratulations to Jeff. I have visited several times his blog but I have a problem: I don't actually understand baseball rules. Anyway, it's good news to read his work is highly valued.

Posted by Felix Gerena at April 26, 2006 4:23 PM

Felix,
I don't know much about baseball either, but I found Jeff's book fun to read anyway. That's why we put lots of links in the interview--so you can read up on the famous sports personalities he refers to if you like. And thank you for your support.

Posted by cathy at April 26, 2006 5:36 PM

I will take a look at the interview, Cathy. Thanks for the advice.

Posted by Felix Gerena at April 27, 2006 8:11 AM

One new RULE of baseball hopefully: kick le racist Barry Bonds' fat backside out of the fabulous game.

Posted by Sean at April 27, 2006 8:17 AM

In today's ultra fast-paced and hyper-competitive world of business, hockey becomes a better management metaphor than baseball. That will be my book--Management by Ice Hockey. (Two minute shifts, change on the fly, body checking, interference, the penalty box, "stitch me up and put me back in the game!)

Posted by Mike at May 1, 2006 5:57 AM

What Jeff has done, significantly, is to utilize baseball as a broad canvas to illustrate business practices, both good and bad. One need not have a deep understanding of baseball to grasp what Jeff writes about. Indeed, one of Jeff's real skills is to make baseball facts and history very relevant.

Jeff's core premise is that the wealth of objective statistics in Baseball make it way more transparent than most business practices. Thus, one can evaluate cause and effect more readily.

Having read Jeff's blog for some time now, he has a perspective for teaching business that is useful and graspable. And, rather than the usual business book pattern of "I did this way,you should too," he dismantles the blah-blah-blah and holds it to more objective scrutiny.

And don't we need such scrutiny?? I think so.

Posted by Joe Ely at May 1, 2006 6:59 AM

Mike -

While I have to say I disagree with Hockey being a better metaphor for business (post-modern military strategy fits better, I think), I can't wait to read it. I think it'd be interesting and fun.

Posted by jeff angus at May 1, 2006 8:50 PM

It's interesting that Mike brought up hockey just before a Joe Ely sighting, because Ely has the definitive Lean Manufacturing weblog (http://joeelylean.blogspot.com/), and hockey and lean manufacturing are analogous.

They both rely on speed, flexibility, and the willingness to dump any guy/process that gets in the way of advance on it's axe.

And since we're talking analogy, I think a lot of the ideas Ely & the other lean manufacturing folk talk about are really applicable to good management practice in any field.

Posted by jeff angus at May 1, 2006 9:27 PM

Early stages Jeff, so don't hold your breath. I have one of those full-time gigs that feels like a playoff game all the time right now.n I've been reading your blog for a while and always find it enjoyable and interesting.

generic viagra canadian "Better" was probably not the right word in this case. Post-modern military strategy probably does fit better.

Woe betide my beloved Red Wings--out in the first round AGAIN after a fantastic season.

Posted by Mike at May 2, 2006 10:23 AM

Okay Mike. I'll wait...but I won't forget. Expect a reminder if you don't -- I voluteer to be your reader just to get to enjoy it first.

Posted by jeff angus at May 3, 2006 5:58 PM