Salary caps and sabermetrics do not seem suited for the silver screen but Moneyball entertained an audience for a couple of hours and recounted a reasonably true story. After star free agents Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen, Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane enters the 2001 off-season wondering how to win an unfair game. For two years, the Athletics had made the playoffs but lost to the New York Yankees, a team with almost four times the financial resources.
Unlike Michael Lewis’ book – which accurately describes the Oakland front office and the philosophy which had been in existence since 1995 – the film portrays the free agent exodus as the impetus for embracing statistics. Beane tries to replace a number of key contributors without spending more money, encountering stubborn resistance from scouts and fans who seem to want something for nothing.
The Aaron Sorkin screenplay reinforces the absurdity of the situation. The rapid-fire dialogue showcases straight men like Peter Brand (a combination of Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi) and Ron Washington. The book was more about the unique situation in Oakland and whether it was actually a sea change or a statistical aberration. The film takes a situation which seems ridiculous (a system where the rich appear to get richer at the expense of others) and mocks it.
Whereas the screenplay was somewhat different, the direction is typical of a sports film. Slow motion scenes, muted soundtracks; looking for heroism in moments where none may exist. Moneyball adopts a mantra repeated by Brad Pitt’s protagonist: “I hate losing more than I love winning.” The film provides only two options, success and failure, and permits the characters to be happy or unhappy. The book is significantly more complex but director Bennett Miller only allows Beane to win or lose.
Pitt may be more mercurial than the real-life Beane but he represents a desperate man who has staked everything that he has on a single plan. He’s not satisfied with his current situation and looking to do better. Innovation gives him half a chance but he does not change his fortunes until he commits wholeheartedly to the plan. Beane almost accepts an offer from the Boston Red Sox in the off-season but turns it down in order to stay on the West Coast and continue with the life and career that he has started.
The 1999-2006 Oakland A’s never sustained a losing season. Part of their curiosity was their use of ground breaking methodology and the relaxed atmosphere of the clubhouse. The team was creative while filling holes in the roster and seemed to be having fun while doing so. The A’s were not immersed in conflict as portrayed by the film and the lack of resolution somewhat trivializes their impact on the sport.
As a result of the book, many of Beane’s techniques have been adopted by other teams, lessening the marginal benefit to Oakland. Still, the team is trying to stay ahead of the curve, although they have yet to reach the same heights as before. Whether they win a World Series is a bonus but the true test of Beane’s management style is whether it can sustain success over the long-term, a question that remains uncertain. ***