Moneyball

At the time the Moneyball film was released, in September of 2011, many of the A’s from 2002 were still working for major-league baseball:

• Billy Beane is still general manager of the Oakland A’s (after initially accepting, then turning-down, John Henry’s $12.5 million offer - paid over five years - to be general manager of the Red Sox); 

• Paul DePodesta is VP of Development with the New York Mets;

• Bill James is Senior Advisor on Baseball Operations for the Red Sox, is still writing books (including crime novels) and was named by TIME Magazine as one of the world's most 100 influential people of 2006;

• Ron Washington is managing the Texas Rangers;

• Scott Hatteberg ended his playing days in 2008 (after being with the Reds since 2006) and is now a special advisor to Billy Beane;

• Barry Zito stayed with the A’s until 2006 and has been pitching for the Giants (when he is able) since 2007;

• Tim Hudson remained with the A’s until 2004, has been pitching for the Braves since 2005 and won the National League’s “Comeback Player of the Year” in 2010; 

• Eric Chavez stayed with the A’s until 2010, led the American League in base-on-balls in 2004, was a six-time Gold-Glove-Award winner and currently plays with the Yankees;

• Art Howe - who is displeased with his portrayal in Moneyball - is retired after playing for the Pirates (1974-75), Astros (1976-82) and Cardinals (1984-85); managing the Astros (1989-93), A's (1996-2002) and Mets (2003-04) and bench-coaching the Rangers (2007-08);

• David Justice (who was once married to actress Halle Berry) retired from baseball after Oakland’s 2002 season;

• Mark Mulder retired after pitching for the A’s until 2004, then the Cardinals until 2008 (with whom he became a World-Series Champion);                             

• Miguel Tejada - known for his ability to drive-in runs - played for various teams throughout his career but was released by the Giants in September, 2011.

As players and managers come and go, the debate about sabermetrics - and the "Moneyball" approach to baseball - continues.  So does the assessment of Billy Beane's selection of his 2002 team - now that historical stats are available to judge the actual performance of his sabermetrically chosen players.