View source for Billy Beane

{{short description|American baseball player and executive (born 1962)}} 
{{distinguish|text= the similarly named deceased Major League Baseball player, [[Billy Bean]]}}
{{other uses|Billy Bean (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Billy Beane
| image       = Billy Beane - General Manager Oakland As (5964095428).jpg
| caption     = Beane in 2012
| position    = Senior advisor
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1962|03|29}}
| birth_place = [[Orlando, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date  = <!-- Billy Beane is alive, it was Billy Bean who died. They are different people.-->
| death_place = 
| team = Athletics
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = September 13
| debutyear   = 1984
| debutteam   = New York Mets
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = October 1
| finalyear   = 1989
| finalteam   = Oakland Athletics
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .220
| stat2label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat2value  = 3
| stat3label  = [[Runs batted in]]
| stat3value  = 29
| teams       =
'''As player'''
*[[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1984}}–{{mlby|1985}})
*[[Minnesota Twins]] ({{mlby|1986}}–{{mlby|1987}})
*[[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|1988}})
*[[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|1989}})

'''As general manager'''
*[[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|1997}}–{{mlby|2015}})
| highlights =
* [[MLB Executive of the Year Award]] ({{mlby|2018}})
* 3× [[Sporting News Executive of the Year Award|''Sporting News'' Executive of the Year]] (1999, 2012, 2018)
* 2× [[Baseball America Major League Executive of the Year|''Baseball America'' Executive of the Year]] (2002, 2013)
}}

'''William Lamar Beane III''' (born March 29, 1962) is an American former professional [[baseball]] player and current [[Front office (sports)|front office]] executive. He is currently senior advisor to owner [[John Fisher (baseball owner)|John Fisher]]<ref name="mlb.com">{{Cite web|title=A's architect Beane takes on new role as senior advisor|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/billy-beane-takes-new-role-with-a-s-as-senior-advisor|access-date=October 25, 2023|website=www.mlb.com|language=en}}</ref> and minority owner of the [[Athletics (baseball)|Athletics]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) and formerly the executive vice president of baseball operations. He is also a minority owner of soccer clubs [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] of the [[EFL League One]] in England and [[AZ Alkmaar]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billy Beane takes minority stake in AZ|url=https://www.az.nl/en/nieuws/billy-beane-takes-minority-stake-in-az|access-date=September 4, 2020|website=www.az.nl|language=en}}</ref> of the [[Eredivisie]] in the [[Netherlands]]. From 1984 to 1989 he played in MLB as an [[outfielder]] for the [[New York Mets]], [[Minnesota Twins]], [[Detroit Tigers]], and [[Oakland Athletics]]. He joined the Athletics' front office as a [[scout (sports)|scout]] in 1990, was named [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] after the 1997 season, and was promoted to executive vice president after the 2015 season. 

A first round pick in the [[MLB draft]] by the Mets, Beane failed to meet the expectations of scouts, who projected him as a star. In his front office career, Beane has applied statistical analysis (known as [[sabermetrics]]) to baseball, which has led teams to reconsider how they evaluate players. He is the subject of [[Michael Lewis]]'s 2003 book on baseball economics, ''[[Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game|Moneyball]]'', which was made into a [[Moneyball (film)|2011 film]] starring [[Brad Pitt]] as Beane.

==Early life==
Beane grew up in [[Mayport, Florida]], and [[San Diego, California]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Chris |date=2014-12-08 |title=Billy Beane a baseball brainiac |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2014/12/08/billy-beane-a-baseball-brainiac/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Krasovic |first=Tom |date=2011-09-23 |title=‘Moneyball’ revolution has ties to San Diego |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/09/23/moneyball-revolution-has-ties-to-san-diego/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> the [[military brat (U.S. subculture)|child of a career military family]].<ref name=moneyball6>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=66}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/oak/team/exec_bios/beane_billy.jsp |title=Oakland A's: Executive Profiles: Billy Beane |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=October 17, 1997 |access-date=June 14, 2012}}</ref> His father, a naval officer, taught him how to pitch.<ref name=moneyball6 />

Beane attended [[Mt. Carmel High School (San Diego, California)|Mt. Carmel High School]] in San Diego, where he excelled at [[baseball]], [[American football|football]], and [[basketball]].<ref name=moneyball6 /> The high school coach added Beane to the varsity baseball team for the last game of his freshman season.<ref name=moneyball6 /> Beane [[batting average (baseball)|batted]] .501 during his sophomore and junior years of high school.<ref name=moneyball6 /><ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=7}}</ref> In his senior season, his batting average dropped to .300.<ref name=moneyball9>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=9}}</ref>

Despite the decrease in batting average, [[scout (sports)|scouts]] were enamored with Beane's talent.<ref name=moneyball9 /> Beane gave up football to avoid an injury that could prematurely end his baseball career.<ref name=moneyball10>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=10}}</ref> Despite this, [[Stanford University]] tried to recruit Beane on a joint baseball–football scholarship as the [[quarterback]] to succeed then-sophomore [[John Elway]] for the [[Stanford Cardinal football]] team.<ref name=moneyball10 />

==Professional career==
===Draft and minor leagues===
The [[New York Mets]], who had the [[List of Major League Baseball first overall draft choices|first overall selection]] of the [[1980 Major League Baseball draft]], liked Beane's talent and considered choosing him with the first pick.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wjBfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2755,1263364|title=Mets get first grab |agency=United Press International |newspaper=The Bonham Daily Favorite |page=3 |date=June 3, 1980 |access-date=August 2, 2012}}</ref> Because many teams believed he would attend Stanford and not sign with a professional team,<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |pages=10–11}}</ref> Beane fell to the 23rd pick, where he was taken by the Mets, who had two other first round picks that year, allowing them to risk Beane not signing.<ref name=moneyball11>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=11}}</ref> After visiting the Mets clubhouse, Beane decided to sign with the Mets for a {{US$|125000|1980}} [[signing bonus]]. Beane called his decision to sign with the Mets instead of going to Stanford as the "only decision he would ever make in his life about money."<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |pages=12–137}}</ref>

Believing Beane to be a more refined player than their top first round pick, [[Darryl Strawberry]], the Mets assigned Strawberry to play rookie ball with other high school draftees while Beane was assigned to the [[Little Falls Mets]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[New York–Penn League]], with players drafted out of college.<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=43}}</ref> Beane struggled in his first season, batting .210.<ref name="Moneyball, p. 44">{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=44}}</ref> He was unable to make the adjustments necessary when playing tougher competition. The Mets promoted Beane to the [[Lynchburg Mets]] of the [[Class A-Advanced]] [[Carolina League]] in 1981. After a solid season, he was promoted to the [[Jackson Mets]] of the [[Class AA]] [[Texas League]] in 1982.<ref name="Moneyball, p. 44" /> While Strawberry was the league's [[most valuable player]], Beane batted .220.<ref name=moneyball45>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=45}}</ref> Beane began questioning himself, while his new roommate, [[Lenny Dykstra]], succeeded with unwavering confidence and superior mental focus.<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |pages=46–47}}</ref>

===New York Mets (1984–1985)===
[[File:Billy Beane 1989.jpg|thumb|265px|Beane at the [[Oakland Coliseum]] in 1989, during his time with the A's]]
Beane remained in Jackson until 1984, when he received his first promotion to MLB, appearing in five games for the [[1984 New York Mets season|1984 New York Mets]]. In 1985, Beane spent most of the season with the [[Tidewater Tides]] of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Class AAA]] [[International League]], getting called up to the [[1985 New York Mets season|1985 Mets]] for eight games. He [[batting average (baseball)|batted]] .284 for the Tides in 1985, leading the team with 19 [[home run]]s and 77 [[runs batted in]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=shVKAAAAIBAJ&pg=6333,408239 |title=Twins Trade Tim Teufel |page=9 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Michigan Daily]] |date=January 17, 1986 |access-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref>

===Minnesota Twins (1986–1987)===
Following the season, the Mets traded Beane with [[Joe Klink]] and [[Bill Latham (baseball)|Bill Latham]] to the [[Minnesota Twins]] for [[Tim Teufel]] and Pat Crosby, a minor league player.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 17, 1986 |title=Mets Trade for Twins' Teufel; Stadler, Mize Share Hope Lead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-mets-trade-fo/164738923/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=[[Sun Sentinel]] |page=2C |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

The Twins entered [[spring training]] prepared to give Beane the job as their starting [[left fielder]] over incumbent [[Mickey Hatcher]], but he dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brackin |first=Dennis |date=March 21, 1987 |title=Beane's battle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-beanes-battle/164738976/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=[[Minneapolis Star Tribune]] |page=3D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Beane appeared in 80 games for the [[1986 Minnesota Twins season|1986 Minnesota Twins]], batting .216.<ref name="lat">{{cite news |last=Hafner |first=Dan |date=September 5, 1987 |title=American League Roundup Expanded Roster Gives Twins a Quick Payoff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-expanded-roster-gi/164739001/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=III-10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He also appeared in 32 games for the [[Toledo Mud Hens]] of the International League. The Twins sent Beane to their new Class-AAA affiliate, the [[Portland Beavers]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]] (PCL), after spring training in 1987.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sinker |first=Howard |date=April 1, 1987 |title=Twins deal for Gladden, drop Hatcher, Sample |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-twins-deal-for-gladden-dro/164739029/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=Minneapolis Star-Tribune |page=1D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> After batting .285 for Portland, Beane received a call-up to the Twins after the September 1 roster expansion.<ref name=lat /><ref>{{cite news |last=Hartman |first=Sid |date=September 4, 1987 |title=Puckett homer could spur pennant drive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-puckett-homer-could-spur-pe/164739057/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=Minneapolis Star-Tribune |page=2D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He appeared in 12 games for the [[1987 Minnesota Twins season|1987 Minnesota Twins]].

===Detroit Tigers (1988)===
The Twins traded Beane to the [[Detroit Tigers]] for [[Balvino Gálvez]] during spring training in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 25, 1988 |title=Expos Buy Pinch-Hitter Nettles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-expos-buy-pinch/164739100/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |page=122 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He made the Tigers' opening day roster that season as an injury fill-in,<ref>{{cite news |last=Loomis |first=Tom |date=April 4, 1988 |title=King Should Get Put-Up-Or-Shut-Up Trial With Toledo |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MExPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7050,3513313 |access-date=March 1, 2012 |newspaper=[[Toledo Blade]] |page=23 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> and was optioned in late April to Toledo,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 29, 1988 |title=Transactions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0A5QAAAAIBAJ&pg=5950,9535711 |access-date=March 1, 2012 |newspaper=Ludington Daily News |via=Google News Archive |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> now serving as Detroit's Class-AAA affiliate, where he spent most of the season. During this time, he played in the same outfield as another player with nearly the same name—[[Billy Bean]]—and also had a teammate with the name Rice.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=581222391679840256 |user=JaneMLB |title=Billy Beane introduced Billy Bean to team today. They played in same OF in Toledo in 1988. At one point, other outfielder's last name: Rice. |first=Jane |last=Lee |date=March 26, 2015 |access-date=2025-02-05}}</ref> Beane appeared in six games for the [[1988 Detroit Tigers season|1988 Tigers]].

===Oakland Athletics (1989)===
Granted free agency after the 1988 season, Beane signed with the [[Oakland Athletics]], appearing in 37 games with the [[1989 Oakland Athletics season|1989 Athletics]], batting .241 in 79 [[at bat]]s.<ref name="oak1989">{{cite news |date=January 17, 1990 |title=A's Sign Young for Two Years; Phils, McDowell Agree to 3 Years, $6 Million |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7317532400C9C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 1, 2012 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |page=2D |via=NewsBank}}</ref> Beane spent most of the season with the Class-AAA [[Tacoma Tigers]] of the PCL. He re-signed with the Athletics for the 1990 season,<ref name=oak1989 /> and was sent down to the minor leagues at the end of spring training.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroichick |first=Ron |date=April 2, 1990 |title=Sanderson Wants to Get Back into the Rotation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-sanderson-wants-to-ge/164739184/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |page=D7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Executive career==
Weary of the lifestyle of a minor league player, Beane approached Athletics GM [[Sandy Alderson]] a day after he was reassigned to minor league camp in April 1990 for a job as an [[scout (sports)|advance scout]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=55}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73206505DBDA5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |date=April 3, 1990 |page=2E |title=Beane Offered Scouting Job, Rickey Says He'll Ask To Renegotiate if he Has Big Season |access-date=March 1, 2012 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Beane held the position of advance scout through 1993, when he was promoted to assistant GM of the Athletics, tasked with scouting minor-league players.<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=62}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kroichick |first=Ron |date=July 18, 1993 |title=Rickey Sings New York, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/75183861/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |page=C11 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Under the ownership of [[Walter A. Haas Jr.]], the Athletics appeared in three consecutive [[World Series]] from 1988 through 1990, and had the highest payroll in baseball in 1991.<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=57}}</ref> Haas died in 1995, and new owners [[Stephen Schott]] and [[Ken Hofmann]] ordered Alderson to slash payroll.<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=58}}</ref> To field a competitive roster on a limited budget, Alderson began focusing on [[sabermetric]] principles to obtain undervalued players. He valued [[on-base percentage]] among hitters.<ref>{{cite book |title=Moneyball |page=59}}</ref> Alderson taught Beane to find value that other teams did not see using sabermetrics.<ref name="Moneyball">{{cite book |title=Moneyball |pages=62–63}}</ref>

===Oakland Athletics (1997–2015)===
Beane succeeded Alderson as general manager on October 17, 1997.<ref>{{cite news |last=Van Vliet |first=Jim |date=October 18, 1997 |title=Beane Takes Over For Alderson: Former GM Will Remain Team President |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/75150017/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |page=C4 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He continued Alderson's crafting of the Athletics into one of the most cost-effective teams in baseball. For example, in the [[2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 MLB season]], the Athletics ranked 24th of 30 major league teams in player salaries but had the 5th-best regular-season record.<ref>{{cite news |title=MLB Standings – 2006 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/standings/_/year/2006 |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=ESPN}}</ref>

[[File:Moneyball 21 (6783735346).jpg|right|thumb|250px|Beane ''(left)'' at the 2011 [[Toronto International Film Festival]]]]
The Athletics reached the playoffs in four consecutive years from 2000 through 2003, losing in the [[American League Division Series]] each year. In 2002, the Athletics became the first team in the 100+ years of [[American League]] (AL) baseball to win 20 consecutive games. After the 2002 season, the [[Boston Red Sox]] made Beane an offer of $12.5 million to become their general manager,<ref name="Moneyball" /> but he declined.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chass |first1=Murray |date=November 11, 2002 |title=Beane Wavers, Then Says No to Red Sox |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/11/sports/baseball-beane-wavers-then-says-no-to-red-sox.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 17, 2020 |work=The New York Times |page=D9}}</ref> On April 15, 2005, Beane received a contract extension to remain with the Athletics as the team's general manager through 2012, and new team owner [[Lewis Wolff]] awarded Beane a small portion of the team's ownership.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 1, 2005 |title=Beane also gets extension through 2012 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2027827 |access-date=November 28, 2011 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> They won their first playoff series under Beane in 2006 when they swept the [[Minnesota Twins]] in the [[2006 American League Division Series|American League Division Series]], but were swept by the [[Detroit Tigers]] in the [[2006 American League Championship Series|American League Championship Series]].

From their 2006 playoff appearance until 2012, the Athletics did not make the playoffs or finish above .500, which triggered criticism of Beane and his approach in some quarters, especially in 2009.<ref name=Bryant /> Beane largely dismisses criticism of his approach, indicating that his philosophy revolves around research and analysis.<ref name=Bryant /> Many other general managers have followed Beane's strategy and now use similar approaches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7328539/the-economics-moneyball |title=The Economics of Moneyball |first1=Tyler |last1=Cowen |author-link1=Tyler Cowen |first2=Kevin |last2=Grier |work=[[Grantland.com]] |date=December 11, 2011 |access-date=February 13, 2012}}</ref> In December 2009, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' named Beane #10 on its list of the [[List of 2009 all-decade Sports Illustrated awards and honors#Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade|Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade]] in all sports.<ref name=si>{{cite magazine |last=Friedman |first=Dick |title=2000s: Top 10 GMs/Executives |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 22, 2009 |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2013/12/13/top-executives |access-date=April 21, 2015}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|The list's only other MLB executives were [[Theo Epstein]] (No. 3) and [[Pat Gillick]] (No. 7).<ref name=si />|group=lower-alpha}} 

{{quote box |align=left |width=27.5% |quote=It's all about evaluating skills and putting a price on them. Thirty years ago, stockbrokers used to buy stock strictly by feel. Let's put it this way: Anyone in the game with a [[401(k)]] has a choice. They can choose a fund manager who manages their retirement by gut instinct, or one who chooses by research and analysis. I know which way I'd choose.
|author=Billy Beane<ref name=Bryant>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4357166 |title=The Revolutionary |first=Howard |last=Bryant |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=July 28, 2009}}</ref>}}

While "Moneyball" had already changed how MLB players were valued, Beane had begun concentrating on high school players, a group he once largely ignored, in the [[Major League Baseball Draft|MLB draft]], considering them to be heavily undervalued.<ref name=Bryant /> He and other like-minded GMs also changed their draft strategies to focus more on defensive skills, which became undervalued in the years immediately after the Moneyball revolution. This new emphasis on defense was displayed in the [[2010 Oakland Athletics season|2010 season]]; although the Athletics finished at .500 and again missed the playoffs, they led MLB in defensive efficiency, measured as the percentage of balls put into play by opponents that resulted in outs, and allowed the fewest runs in the AL.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6746478/undervalued-sluggers |title=Undervalued Sluggers |first=Rany |last=Jazayerli |author-link=Rany Jazayerli|work=[[Grantland.com]] |date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=July 11, 2011}}</ref> In February 2012, the Athletics extended Beane's contract through 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/oakland-athletics-agree-to-extend-gm-billy-beane-president-michael-crowley-through-2019/2012/02/07/gIQAv5KLxQ_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/oakland-athletics-agree-to-extend-gm-billy-beane-president-michael-crowley-through-2019/2012/02/07/gIQAv5KLxQ_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |title=Oakland Athletics agree to extend GM Billy Beane, President Michael Crowley through 2019 |agency=Associated Press |date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=February 21, 2012}}</ref> In the [[2012 Oakland Athletics season|2012 season]], the Athletics again made the playoffs under Beane, winning the AL West title on the last day of the regular season. The Athletics returned to the playoffs in 2013 by winning the American League West division title again, the team's first back-to-back division championships since the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

On October 5, 2015, the Athletics announced that Beane had been promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations. Assistant GM [[David Forst]] assumed the job of general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/10/05/billy-beane-promoted-to-vp-david-forst-named-as-general-manager/|title=Billy Beane promoted to VP, David Forst named A's general manager|first=Craig|last=Calcaterra|date=October 5, 2015|accessdate=April 6, 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, Beane transitioned into a new role as senior advisor to owner [[John Fisher (baseball owner)|John Fisher]], and Forst became the new head of baseball operations.<ref name="mlb.com"/> Under Beane's tenure as general manager, the Athletics reached the postseason eight times (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014) but won just one postseason series (the [[2006 American League Division Series|ALDS]] in 2006), which included seven consecutive losses (five of them in Oakland) in a winner-take-all game.

==Activities outside baseball==
===Soccer===
When the Athletics ownership group agreed to purchase the reincarnation of the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] of [[Major League Soccer]], Beane, who has expressed a passion for soccer, began developing a system for objectively analyzing soccer players. He has agreed to help the Earthquakes front office develop a method for building a cost-effective team, as the salary cap in MLS is even more restrictive than the Athletics status as a small-market team in Major League Baseball.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Cathal |url=https://www.thestar.com/article/248165 |title=Mr. Beane's love affair with football |work=The Star |date=August 21, 2007|access-date=June 14, 2012}}</ref> However, a system has yet to be implemented.

Beane has regarded [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s former manager [[Arsène Wenger]] as a personal idol. Beane has held discussions with Wenger, former [[Manchester United F.C.]] manager [[Alex Ferguson]], and [[Liverpool F.C.]] owner [[John W. Henry]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/mar/26/why-billy-beane-was-right-to-avoid-the-epl-and-work-with-az-alkmaar|title=Why Billy Beane was right to avoid the EPL and work with AZ Alkmaar|last=Lyttleton|first=Ben|date=March 26, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 18, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> His friendship with ex-Arsenal scout [[Damien Comolli]] and Arsenal owner [[Stan Kroenke]] allowed him to delve deep into the world of English soccer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bascombe |first=Chris |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8823275/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-is-an-idol-of-mine-says-revered-baseball-coach-Billy-Beane.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8823275/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-is-an-idol-of-mine-says-revered-baseball-coach-Billy-Beane.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is an idol of mine, says revered baseball coach Billy Beane |work=The Telegraph |date=October 13, 2011 |access-date=June 18, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In March 2015, the Dutch soccer club [[AZ Alkmaar]], under general director [[Robert Eenhoorn]], a former major leaguer, hired Beane as an advisor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2015 |title=AZ Alkmaar hire Oakland A's general manager and Moneyball hero Billy Beane |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/18/az-alkmaar-oakland-athletics-billy-beane |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=The Guardian|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He became a shareholder of the club five years later. acquiring a 5% stake in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Ham v AZ Alkmaar: The Dutch Moneyball team chasing Europa Conference victory |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65549007 |website=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=12 May 2023 |date=11 May 2023}}</ref> On December 19, 2017, Beane became part of a consortium led by [[Chien Lee]] to purchase [[Barnsley Football Club]], which plays in the [[EFL League One]], the third tier of the [[English football league system]].<ref>[https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2017/december/club-statement/ Club Statement] Barnsley F.C. Retrieved December 19, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2017/december/ownerpressconference/ PRESS: Majority Shareholders Address The Media]. Barnsley F.C. Retrieved December 20, 2017.</ref>

===Software industry===
On January 4, 2007, the software company [[NetSuite]] named Beane to its board of directors; NetSuite co-founder Evan Goldberg cited Beane's ability to combine facts with instinct.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2007/01/01/daily28.html |title=Billy Beane takes seat on NetSuite board |date=January 4, 2007 |work=San Francisco Business Times |access-date=August 2, 2012}}</ref> Beane also served as a consultant for, and appears in, the video game ''[[MLB Front Office Manager]]''.<ref name="gamestopprev">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/mlbfrontofficemanager/news.html?sid=6201447&mode=news |title= GameSpot ''MLB Front Office Manager'' First Look |first=Shanker |last=Srinivasan |date=November 21, 2008 |pages=1 |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=July 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name="beaneadvise">{{cite web |url=http://www.2ksports.com/media/images/screens/BBWelcome1.jpg |title=''MLB Front Office Manager'' screenshot |work=[[2K Sports]] |date=October 31, 2008 |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025191047/http://www.2ksports.com/media/images/screens/BBWelcome1.jpg |archive-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===''Moneyball''===
Author [[Michael Lewis (author)|Michael Lewis]]' 2003 best-selling book ''[[Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game]]'' explores Beane's methods as the general manager of the Athletics and how he, along with [[Paul DePodesta]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/ft/2011/11/michael_lewis_and_billy_beane_talk_moneyball_.single.html |title=Inside Baseball: Michael Lewis and Billy Beane talk Moneyball |first=Simon |last=Kuper |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |date=November 13, 2011 |access-date=February 27, 2012}}</ref> used sabermetric principles to field a winning team despite an exceptionally low payroll. The book and Beane's methods influenced the way many teams and players think about the game of baseball.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-moneyball081706&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |title=Rethinking Moneyball&nbsp;– MLB&nbsp;– Yahoo! Sports |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2012}}</ref>

The book was made into the [[2011 in film|2011]] film ''[[Moneyball (film)|Moneyball]]'',<ref name=Bryant /> in which Beane was portrayed by [[Brad Pitt]], whose performance earned an [[84th Academy Awards|Oscar nomination]] for [[84th Academy Awards#Awards|Best Actor]].

==Personal life==
Beane's first marriage was to Cathy Sturdivant. The couple has a daughter, Casey Beane.

Beane is married to Tara Beane.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://glamourpath.com/meet-billy-beanes-daughter-casey-beane-with-wife-tara-beane-photos-and-facts |title=Meet Billy Beane's Daughter Casey Beane With Wife Tara Beane - Photos and Facts}}</ref> The couple have twins, Brayden and Tinsley Beane.<ref name=Bryant /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_24411919/billy-beanes-crazy-family-tree-madonna-angelina-jolie |title=Oakland A's Billy Beane's crazy family tree: Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton |first=Daniel |last=Brown |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref>

Beane attended the [[University of California, San Diego]] during the baseball off-seasons of his playing career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Nick |date=February 12, 2006 |title=Bay Area ballclubs have two gems for GMs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-bay-area-ballclubs-ha/164739265/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |newspaper=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-bay-area-ballclubs-ha/164739265/ C1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-executives-their-per/164739281/ C11] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==

=== Bibliography ===
*{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=Michael D. |author-link=Michael Lewis (author) |title=[[Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game|Moneyball]]: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game |year=2003 |publisher=W. W. Norton |location=New York |isbn=0-393-05765-8 }}
{{Clear}}

=== In-line citations ===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=b/beanebi01|fangraphs=1000714|brm=beane-002wil}}

{{Athletics (baseball)}}
{{1980 MLB Draft}}
{{New York Mets first-round draft picks}}
{{Oakland Athletics general managers}}
{{SN Executive of the Year}}
{{MLB Executive of the Year Award}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beane, Billy}}
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