Deconstructing Champions: The Art and Science of Winning

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Latest Episodes:

Mets Retrospective (2021 Season) Apr 29, 2024

The conversation with Zack Scott focused on the 2021 Mets season, specifically discussing the team's vaccination rate, Francisco Lindor's slow start, the controversy between Lindor and Jeff McNeil, the decision to let go of Chili Davis, the injuries that decimated the team, and Jacob deGrom's performance and contract extension. In the second part of the conversation, Zack Scott discusses the 2021 trade deadline and the Mets' pursuit of Max Scherzer. He reveals that the Nationals quickly shut down their interest in Scherzer and that the Mets were not on the list of preferred destinations for Scherzer or the Nationals. Scott also discusses the acquisitions of Rich Hill, Javy Baez, and Trevor Williams and the trading away of former first-round draft pick Pete Crow-Armstrong. Scott also addresses the incident where Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez made thumbs-down gestures towards fans and the aftermath of that incident. He takes responsibility for his DWI arrest and acknowledges the mistakes he made. Scott discusses the inaccurate reporting of the incident and the subsequent termination of his position as general manager of the Mets.

Winning Smarter and Faster with Gemini Sports Analytics Apr 10, 2024

Jake Schuster, the founder of Gemini Sports Analytics, discusses his career path and the development of his company. He shares his background in sports science and working with elite athletes in various sports. Jake explains how his experience with data analysis led him to create Gemini Sports Analytics, a platform that helps sports teams automate and optimize their data analysis processes. He highlights sports teams' challenges, such as data infrastructure and automation, and how Gemini Sports Analytics addresses these challenges. The primary focus areas for teams using the platform are roster management and match analysis. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in sports analytics, focusing on the need for organizations to invest in data-driven decision-making. Zack and Jake discuss the importance of automation and specialized analysts in different sports areas, such as scouting and player development. They also highlight the future challenges of optical tracking and granular contracting in sports analytics. The conversation touches on the financial aspects of sports, including player valuation and the role of analytics in contract negotiations. Zack emphasized the need for a mindset shift in viewing analytics as investments rather than costs. They also discuss the potential of data-driven decision-making in various sports, including hockey, football, and soccer. The conversation concludes with a reminder that while analytics play a crucial role, the human aspect of sports should not be overlooked.

Mets Retrospective (2020-21 Offseason) Mar 28, 2024

In this conversation, Zack Scott, former Acting General Manager of the New York Mets, discusses his experience in the GM interviewing process and his thoughts on player acquisitions. He shares his opinion on the James McCann signing and the decision not to pursue J.T. Realmuto. Scott also talks about his journey to becoming a GM candidate and networking challenges in the industry. He provides insights into the trade for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco and the decision to trade Steven Matz. Scott reflects on his decision to turn down the opportunity to become the Mets' assistant GM and his subsequent departure from the Red Sox. In this conversation, Zack Scott discusses the challenges and decisions he faced as the acting general manager of the New York Mets. He talks about the transition period after Jared Porter was fired and how he had to step into the role quickly. Scott also shares his perception of the Mets before joining the organization and the industry's perception of the team. He discusses the process of signing Francisco Lindor to a contract extension and the considerations involved in making such a deal. Scott emphasizes the importance of balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability.

Jeff Luhnow: Disrupting Baseball and Football Mar 13, 2024

Jeff Luhnow took an unusual path to leadership in baseball. He was an engineer, entrepreneur, marketing VP, and consultant at one of the Big Three firms before getting hired by the owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. Right from the start he was a disruptor, tasked with modernizing scouting and player development for a traditional regime that didn’t want to hire the outsider. But his success was undeniable as their drafts were the most productive in the game. When he became the Astros GM, he transformed the organization through player development innovations. However, there were multiple controversies, from illegal computer hacking to brash sign-stealing schemes, ultimately leading to his firing and suspension by Major League Baseball. At a career crossroads, he set his sights on international football, where he’s applying his proven approach, and so far, the returns have been great.

Today, we’ll discuss these topics, the importance of team leadership connecting with the fans, and more with the current CEO of Blue Crow Sports Group, Jeff Luhnow.

Arbitration, Mookie Betts, and Hail Marys with Carter DeLorme Feb 28, 2024

Using Mookie Betts' 2018 hearing as a guide, this conversation with attorney Carter DeLorme provides insights into the process of baseball salary arbitration. The NHL and MLB are the only two leagues that grant players the right to ensure fair compensation through a salary arbitration process. MLB recently finished its last 2024 arbitration hearing so it's timely to talk to DeLorme about the process. Carter is an attorney with almost 30 years of experience in labor and employment law and represents companies in salary arbitration hearings across vastly different industries. With the Red Sox, Zack worked with Carter on two hearings and a handful of other cases that ended up settling on the courtroom steps sometimes minutes before the scheduled hearing. They cover many topics, including how the process works, different negotiating styles, the potential emotional impact of a hearing, and the Hail Mary attempt used at the end of Mookie Betts' 2018 hearing.

Chris Young: Winning Inside & Out Feb 16, 2024

Chris Young, World Series winning pitcher (2015 KC Royals) and General Manager (2023 Texas Rangers), discusses his transition from player to GM, his pitching style, and the influence of managers and coaches on his career. He shares insights into his role as a GM and the challenges he faced in his first year. Young also talks about his approach to team building and player evaluation and the lessons he learned from the team's postseason run. He emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and the ability to bounce back from adversity. Young provides valuable insights into the trade deadline strategy and the mindset required to defend a championship title.

Welcome to Deconstructing Champions Feb 16, 2024

In this episode, host Zack Scott introduces the podcast and his background as a baseball executive. He explains how he helps teams across different sports and emphasizes the importance of acquiring the best players and maximizing their performance. Scott shares his reasons for starting the podcast, including his desire to help sports executives learn from challenges faced by teams in various sports. He also highlights his intention to be transparent and open about modern front office operations. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to check out the podcast and elevate their game.

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