Billy Beane's controversial scouting and recruiting style made him the scorn of baseball for many years. That is, until his Oakland Athletics teams began to win. Small-market team like the A's are at a consistent disadvantage year after year. While major market teams can throw money at prized free agents, smaller clubs have to be more practical and focus on developing players within their own organization. That's exactly what Beane did as the Athletics' general manager.
With an eye for talent and a knack for risk-taking, Beane set out to redefine player value by using a litany of statistics. The subject of the best-selling Michael Lewis book, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, the elusive subject of Beane and his approach to building a winner has also been made into a movie starring Brad Pitt.
Beane came into baseball as a highly touted prospect. However, his playing career was short-live. In parts of six seasons, Beane served as a back-up outfielder on five different teams. He completed his 148-game major league career with a .219 batting average, 66 hits, 29 RBI and three home runs.
Billy Beane Rookie Cards
1986 Donruss #647
Produced at the height of the junk wax era, this card is available in droves and is often used by autograph collectors for in-person and through-the-mail autographs.
1986 Fleer Update #U-11
Included inside the end-of-season box set, Beane is pictured in a classic kneeling pose in a Twins uniform. Again, the massive print run makes this card readily available.
Billy Beane Other Notable Cards
- 1982 Jackson Mets TCMA #19
- 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Autographs #BB
- 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Refractors #89 (/299)
Card Gallery:
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- 1986 Donruss Billy Beane
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- 1986 Fleer Update Billy Beane
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