It is well known that advanced statistics are increasingly part of professional sport and not everyone is happy.
Outfielder Jayson Werth is sharp when it comes to commenting on his thoughts on baseball’s evolution in the digital age.
“There are all these super nerds in the executive offices who know nothing about baseball, but they like to project with the numbers and the players, he launched during the podcast. Philadelphia WIP-FM. I think it’s killing the game. It’s gotten to the point where there are only computers in the field. You just have to put them on the field, the players don’t even have to go there anymore. It’s a real joke. »
Werth spent 15 seasons in the Majors. He has worn the colors of the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Phillies and Nationals. He notably won the World Series with the Philadelphia team in 2008.
Most recently, the 39-year-old played with the Seattle Mariners affiliate at the AAA level. He, however, retired from action last June. He has yet to make an official announcement regarding a possible retirement.
Werth said he was particularly frustrated to have the expertise of individuals who have never played at a high level.
“When they come from MIT, Stanford, Harvard, or wherever, they’ve never played baseball in their life. When they arrive to discuss certain points (like special defenses), I might be able to do a swipe to foil the whole thing. They say, « No, don’t do that! We don’t want you to do that. You have to hit a home run. » That’s just not baseball in my opinion. »
The one who maintained an average of .267 is worried about the spectacle that is thus offered to the supporters.
“We are creating something that is not pleasant to watch. It’s boring, he said. Players become robots. They took the human element out of the game.”
