Beane Ball
Beane has gained fame as a Major League Baseball executive who runs a cost-effective organization while keeping his team in contention season after season. He was the subject of the best-selling book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis. The book described the rigorous statistical analysis the team uses to stay competitive in an unfavorable market. His success has made him popular on the national speaking circuit, and he often addresses top companies on his management approach.
Beane will discuss "Searching for Undervalued Assets in an Inefficient World" in the Higley Auditorium, 202 N. College Rd., as part of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation Lectureship Series.
Beane played professional baseball starting in 1980 and including six seasons in the major leagues. He ended his playing career after the 1989 season, when he was a utility player on the Athletics world championship team. Beane joined the team's front office in 1990 as the major league advance scout. He became assistant general manager in 1993 and general manager in 1997. The Athletics have compiled a winning record over the last 11 seasons, with five postseason appearances.
He was named executive of the year by the Sporting News in 1999 and Major League Baseball executive of the year by Baseball America in 2002.
Beane's daughter, Casey, is a Kenyon student.
The Burton D. Morgan Foundation is based in Hudson, Ohio, and is dedicated to encouraging the free enterprise system. The foundation is the generous supporter of a series of lectures on the Kenyon campus during the academic year.