Littlefield and statistical research

John Perrotto interviews Dave Littlefield and discovers Baseball Prospectus in his office. My favorite quote comes from Mac:

"There is a lot of stuff out there when it comes to statistics, a whole lot of stuff," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Also, DL:

"We also do a lot of our own in-house statistic studies that I find instructive."

My experience with statistical studies is that they are rarely instructive, so it's good to learn they are getting somewhere in the numbers lab four stories below PNC Park.

One other thing. When different GMs talk about their balance of stats and scouting, they sound to me like NFL coaches talking to the media the week before the game. They aren't saying anything meaningful. Witness DL:

"I think you need to do it with a combination of the two," Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield said.

It sounds like Coach Cowher telling the media that the Steelers plan to play hard on offense, defense, and special teams. "No shit?! Get out of here, you crazy genius" is not the informed or common response.

So when Perrotto concludes, "the Pirates aren't ready to abandon their scouts in favor of mathematic formulas," that's not much of a conclusion. That's not Perrotto's fault; he has to work with what they give him.

No doubt the best of all worlds would be having scouts who understand the latest theories suggested or proven by the statistics, and statheads who understand the science behind the tendencies of the scouts. If the stats have any real meaning, that meaning can also be found by the scouts. And vice versa.

After all, the truth is the truth is the truth.