Connecting Dots

            The Cardinals stand accused of hacking into the Astros’ computer system; Angels GM Jerry Dipoto steps down in a feud with manager Mike Scioscia; the window for signing international prospects opens: you see the connection, right?  If not, bear with me.

 Jeff Luhnow, the Astros’ GM, developed an advanced analytics’ system when he worked for the Cardinals; someone in the St. Louis front office may or may not have wanted to see if Luhnow left with intellectual property that did not belong to him.  Dipoto was upset the Angels’ coaching staff didn’t make greater use of data he passed along.  And thirty teams are using a mix of sabermetrics and old-time scouting to sift through the world of 16-year old Caribbean prospects in search of the next superstar.

Yet for all the computer memory employed, algorithms tested and programs written, the subject of women’s talent never seems to come up for serious consideration.  How sad, with July 5th the 68^th anniversary of Larry Doby breaking the color line in the American League.