General Manager
Oakland A's
William 'Billy' Beane is the general manager of the Oakland A's and the subject of Michael Lewis's best-selling book Moneyball. He has turned the cash-strapped, small market A's into consistent contenders making the playoffs alongside big-spending clubs like the New York Yankees. Mr Beane eschews flawed 'gut-feel' methods to instead focus on powerful analysis and a close reading of statistics. He trusts college kids with computers to scout; he dumps over-hyped, marginal talent; and he never pays big stars their going rate, because he knows how to replace them at a fraction of the cost. Mr Beane has used decision-worthy data to get beyond the glamour and glory of baseball to investigate the science of what makes a successful organisation.