Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Scorecasting

The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
In Scorecasting, University of Chicago behavioral economist Tobias Moskowitz teams up with veteran Sports Illustrated writer L. Jon Wertheim to overturn some of the most cherished truisms of sports, and reveal the hidden forces that shape how basketball, baseball, football, and hockey games are played, won and lost.
Drawing from Moskowitz's original research, as well as studies from fellow economists such as bestselling author Richard Thaler, the authors look at: the influence home-field advantage has on the outcomes of games in all sports and why it exists; the surprising truth about the universally accepted axiom that defense wins championships;  the subtle biases that umpires exhibit in calling balls and strikes in key situations; the unintended consequences of referees' tendencies in every sport to "swallow the whistle," and more.
Among the insights that Scorecasting reveals:
   • Why Tiger Woods is prone to the same mistake in high-pressure putting situations that you and I are
   • Why professional teams routinely overvalue draft picks
   • The myth of momentum  or the "hot hand" in sports, and why so many fans, coaches, and broadcasters fervently subscribe to it
   • Why NFL coaches rarely go for a first down on fourth-down situations—even when their reluctance to do so reduces their chances of winning.
In an engaging narrative that takes us from the putting greens of Augusta to the grid iron of a small parochial high school in Arkansas, Scorecasting will forever change how you view the game, whatever your favorite sport might be.
  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      The authors dive into esoteric components of sports and apply statistical analyses to prove or debunk long-held theories. Topics discussed include non-calls, luck, crowd-noise influence, home-field advantage, and a lot more. At times, the material can be a bit heavy with percentages, but they're needed to form the basis of the arguments. Zach McLarty is perfect for the narration of this thinking person's exploration of sports because he sounds less like a reader and more like a guy who has bellied up next to the listener at a bar. If you're going to hash out debates without yelling, McLarty is your man, and this is your book. Its cerebral approach to sports is a must for those who consider themselves intelligent fans. M.B. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Loading