ILRSBS Goes to Phoenix: Part III

The team taking in the beautiful Phoenix skyline.

This is Part Two of a three-part series following the ILRSBS Case Competition team's trip to the SABR Analytics Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. (Click here to read Part One, and click here to read Part Two.)

When all was said and done, Hudson, Mike, and I were happy with our research and preparation. As we went to sleep at 3am, Phoenix time the night morning before presenting, we knew we had put all the effort possible into the case. Using an already overused sports analogy, we left it all out on the field.

Our team was scheduled to compete first that morning, at 9:30 sharp. In front of three judges from teams such as the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians, we were ready to make our pitch as part of a 20-minute presentation and 10-minute Q & A. Perhaps the most eye-opening part of the trip was just being able to stand in front of a room of extremely intelligent people and watch them as they listened to what we had to say. They truly did care, and the passion they have for the game was on full display. Often times we have these “epiphany” moments in our lives when we say, “How sweet was that?” I know I can speak for the three of us that one day, looking back; this certainly may be one of those moments.

Our team wound up finishing as the runner-ups in the Undergraduate division, as the eventual champions from NYU took first place. In the graduate/law division, Pepperdine University took top billing. For a three-man team, we were extremely proud of our accomplishment, and while we would’ve loved to win, the experience and learning we were able to participate in was recognition enough.

In addition to the Diamond Dollars Competition, the three of us were fortunate enough to interact up close and personal with some of the leading minds in the entire industry. Through various panels, and networking sessions, Hudson, Mike and I were able to meet top executives in Jed Hoyer, Rick Hahn, and Jerry DiPoto. Brian Kenny of MLB Network was one of the panel moderators, and throughout the conference we were able to connect and speak with various professionals from companies such as Fangraphs, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and other Major League clubs such as the Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and more.

Executives Daniels, Hoyer, and Hahn.

Perhaps the highlight of our week, however was getting to meet a fellow Cornellian that each of us one day hope to aspire to. Speaking with Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels was surreal. His advice was not only invaluable and thoughtful. Our two takeaways from him for were to watch as much baseball as possible, and to stay humble. As he put it, the game isn’t big on “self-promoters.”

The three of us with fellow Cornellian, Jon Daniels.

When all was said and done, the three of us had an amazing time. After a quick red-eye flight home, accompanied with a daylight-savings-time-change, we found ourselves back in reality of Cornell life.

As the inaugural Cornell case competition team members, a certain sense of pride exists in what we were able to accomplish. We look forward eagerly to next year when we send a few more students and continue to prove that the Ivy League knows its baseball.

Here are quick takes of our trips from my team members:

“It was a tremendous opportunity to be able to go to the SABR Conference and present our case in front of a group of highly regarded individuals within the baseball community. The conference itself was much more intimate and laid-back than others I had been to which allowed me the opportunity to speak with several Major League GMs, MLB Network Analyst Brian Kenny, members of the baseball analytics community, and a host of executives within Major League baseball. The only drawback to the conference, or more plainly the city of Phoenix in general, was the dearth of carne asada steak” –Mike Parnell

Outside the beautiful Chase Field in Phoenix.

“Participating in the SABR Case Competition was a great experience. The opportunity to spend a few days working on such a fascinating case was awesome, and getting to present our work to MLB industry leaders was truly amazing. The conference brought together hundreds of forward-thinking baseball brains, and so many people brought great ideas to the discussion. Being a part of that conference was so much fun, and although we didn't win the competition, I can’t wait to go back next year.” –Hudson Belinsky 

Oh, and we also got to take in a few WBC games!

We hope you all enjoyed this look into our trip to Phoenix. We look forward to making this event a key part of the organization moving forward. For any questions, comments, or suggestions, please email me at gmc74@cornell.edu.