A few years ago, my brother, a lifelong baseball detractor, read the book "Moneyball," and its numbers-based approach converted him into a fan of the game.
We've been debating ever since.
At issue: Is it more effective to sacrifice outs and move runners in the interest of manufacturing runs, or play for a higher volume by protecting outs, exercising patience and utilizing power?
It's taken a few years, but he's forced me to admit that — for the most part — giving up outs is counterproductive. Who wouldn't rather have a team that can provide a wealth of runs without the risk? Why scavenge for offense when you don't have to?
But I'm convinced small ball still has its merits — when used at appropriate times.
As potent as the Red Sox were in 2004, the comeback against the Yankees and subsequent championship surge began when Dave Roberts stole a base and sparked a rally in Game 4.
It would seem that teams able to both pile up and scratch together runs, while probably requiring a hefty payroll, are almost unbeatable.
Kind of like the defending world champion White Sox.
Last year, we heard a lot about Ozzie Guillen's use of small ball, but the smart baseball analysts knew that Chicago's offense was powered by the long ball. What the White Sox had was a deep pitching staff combined with a lot of pop. This season, the Sox once again look like the best team in baseball — winning with pitching and power.
The White Sox, however, have the ability to manufacture a run when needed, which makes them that much more efficient at winning close games.
Take last Sunday's contest in Anaheim. In a tie game against one of the best bullpens in the majors, the White Sox got a single in the top of the ninth. Guillen inserted pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna, who stole second and was sacrificed to third by Scott Podsednik. Ozuna then scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
With Chicago's lineup, employing such a strategy early in the game would have been wasteful. But needing just one run, the Sox put themselves in a game-winning situation by forcing the issue.
The White Sox won the first three games of last year's World Series on home runs. But locked in a scoreless tie in the eighth inning of Game 4 and struggling to find any offense, Chicago used a Podsednik bunt to put Willie Harris in scoring position. He eventually scored the winning run.
Small ball can be the difference between good and great.
So the answer to the debate is simple.
It depends.