ESPN The Magazine discovers Wins Above Replacement

Versatile · Feb 19, 2013

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8959581/

Sam Miller of Baseball Prospectus and (formerly?) The Orange County Register wrote about WAR for ESPN The Magazine. He expounded for about 3,000 words in an explanatory persuasive essay, taking time to ensure readers would grasp the concept of WAR while also consistently arguing for its superiority as a method of analysis.

We've had all those debates many times here on the Sports and News board. Here's what I think merits discussion as it pertains to this story:

• Is an explanation of WAR still relevant for the audience of ESPN The Magazine? It's 2013. The magazine targets younger readers. This isn't its first analytics-themed issue.
• Was Miller condescending in his tone? No one wants to be spoken down to, and one of the main issues people have with statheads is their air of arrogance.
• Did he succeed in attempting to appeal to more than just logic? Should he have even tried?

Cubbiebum · Feb 19, 2013

Saw a headline at ESPN.com saying WAR has been brought to the masses due to the MVP race last year. I laughed. I don't remember WAR being the massive storyline. Among baseball people it was part of the debate but baseball people know the stat and have for awhile. Most general fans I don't think know the stat or at least don't know it well. They may see the WAR rating but not really care for it or value it.

Versatile · Feb 19, 2013

Cubbiebum said:
Saw a headline at ESPN.com saying WAR has been brought to the masses due to the MVP race last year. I laughed. I don't remember WAR being the massive storyline. Among baseball people it was part of the debate but baseball people know the stat and have for awhile. Most general fans I don't think know the stat or at least don't know it well. They may see the WAR rating but not really care for it or value it.

The page title on this story is "Why Wins Above Replacement is MLB's next big all-encompassing stat." The story doesn't take that hackneyed tone. But there's no question WAR was central to the debate over Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera (which I insist never had anything to do with the Baseball Writer's Association of America's American League Most Valuable Player Award).