Scorecasting

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

By: L. Jon Wertheim, Tobias Moskowitz

Narrated by: Zach McLarty

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.

©2011 L. Jon Wertheim and Tobias Moskowitz (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"The closest thing to Freakonomics I've seen since the original. A rare combination of terrific storytelling and unconventional thinking. I love this book..." (Steven D. Levitt, Alvin H. Baum Professor of Economics, University of Chicago, and co-author of Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics)

Awesome book

One of my favorite books. If you like sports, economics, statistics or just seeing examples of people doing stupid things, this book is for you.

What really goes on during the game!

Great insight into the hidden world of sports! I would recommend if you like sports!

Thorough and and engaging sports stats analysis

It's a really eye-opening view on the sports world, statistic by statistic, with analysis and inference which really make you think.

First narrator I’ve disliked

This narrator makes me want to clear my throat every 30 seconds. Very throaty and annoying. It gets worse about halfway through.

Fascinating book!

Sportscasting answers several interesting questions about performance in both individual and team sports (mostly team). In most cases the correct answers are counter intuitive. It makes fascinating listening. Narration is by actor Zach McLarty, son of seller audiobook narrator Ron McLarty.

Statistical Nirvana

What did you love best about Scorecasting?

I love sports and statistics this was a perfect storm!

What did you like best about this story?

The way the book goes to the true value of particular trends in a range of sports

Have you listened to any of Zach McLarty’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/A good read

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Moneyball

Any additional comments?

Book was strong on Baseball and NFL but struggled a little when it went into other sports. Got a little dry after a while.

9 out of 10 people will like this!

Being a sports fan and a "stats-guy" I absolutely loved this book. I found it to be extremely interesting and will definitely recommend this title to others!

Freakonomics for people who like sports

fun and interesting. deals with things you think you know, like the home field advantage

Decent

This is the rare occasion where I might reccomend the real book over the audio version. The book is a bit numbers and tables heavy and would be easier to see those in print rather than hear them recited. Other than that the book was pretty good. It covers a variety of sports and topics. Some parts were a bit dry, but overall would reccomend it!

amazing

In an attempt to better understand sports for the daily grind of DFS (daily fantasy sports). This is a must read or listen to all fans of sports. Interesting points and thought provoking ideas on numerous topics that will help you think outside the box about all sports. Well done by the reader and writer of this audio version.