Stat Wars

A long time ago in my living room far, far away I sat and watched a hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers.  It was a regular season game on the Deuce (which should tell you how long ago it was) and I was only semi-interested in what was transpiring on the ice since the Pens were losing.  I don't remember exactly what else I was doing other than blankly staring at a space on the wall, when I heard the announcer quip some statistic that caught my attention.

This was long before TiVO and well before the ability to pause and rewind live television, but I distinctly remember him saying that the Rangers were 6-0 while leading after two periods on the road after a previous home loss.  Let me say this one again...the Rangers were 6-0...while leading after two periods...on the road...after having previously lost a home game.  The first thing out of my mouth, directed toward the television screen, with no one else in the room to hear my disdain, was "Why the [expletive deleted] would anyone in the [expletive deleted] world care to know something as [expletive deleted] ridiculous as that statistic?"

And thus began my love/hate relationship with today's statistical nonsensitude.  I am not naive to think that the study of statistics, as we know it, has evolved to this point for no reason.  There is a reason, a good one.  But there is a difference between actual readable performance statistics and what I like to call "situationally ironic stats".  Let me explain.

I understand the necessity for teams in all sports to be able to analyze their players and team performance on much more than a 1s and 0s platform (a la Billy Beane).  In hockey for example, the stat for goals, assists, and plus-minus (which many non-hockey people don't really understand) aren't complete at telling the whole story of what happens during a game.  The analysis of possession statistics can help coaches to develop a more intricate game plan, helping to create additional chances and opportunities on the ice that their predecessors decades ago may not have had at their disposal.  Things like Corsi stats which includes puck possession statistics or Fenwick numbers which are similar but don't include shot blocking are all very interesting for the stat monger fans that will argue with you ad nausea about things and literally make you move your seat at the bar.

But for the casual fan and even a long time hockey fan like me, these are fluff numbers that are for the coaches, the scouts, and even the players themselves to understand.  Not me.  That is why I shy away from and more often than not, turn off my brain and go to my happy place when these numbers start dancing across the TV screens, the Twitter feeds, or the occasional print media.  In other words, I understand it, but I don't particularly care to pay attention.

The absolute worst though, are the anecdotes like the one previously mentioned that I call situationally ironic stats.  These are meant to keep your attention.  They are meant for the shock factor, to keep you watching just to see if they come true.  In today's world of social media, these are the perfect tidbits of information to get you to click through.  The computer nerds (and I use that term affectionately) from high school that wanted to be involved with sports but just couldn't get past the awkwardness of it all finally have their IN.  These guys can sit in front of a computer with situational game play analysis software that has evolved substantially over the years with algorithms designed to spit out any number of results depending on what variables are entered.  These guys just need internet access and a teleprompter and all the useless numbers get thrown at us with each passing moment.

If you have never watched a televised NHL game on NBC or NBCSports networks, then you may not be familiar with the overabundance of canon fodder that comes from Mike Emerick's mouth.  He recites these types of circumstantial half-truths at least six times a game, maybe more.  The playoff broadcasts are even worse.

Another great example that occurred during Game 2 of the SCF. Sportsnet Stats tweeted...

"No team in Stanley Cup Final history has lost back-to-back home games when leading each contest after 2 periods."

So logically speaking, despite leading after 2 periods, either both games were wins or at least one of these games was a loss.  Therefore a lead really means nothing because you still have a 50/50 shot at pulling out a victory.  Thanks.  That is helpful.

I was further reminded of how long ago this phenomenon started last evening when my sons decided to watch the classic baseball movie, Little Big League.  For those that have never seen it, it's from 1994, a more innocent time in baseball.  It focuses on young Billy, all of 12 years old, and his adventures as the owner/manager of the Minnesota Twins.  The previous owner, his grandfather, passed away and left the team to him in his will.  After firing the hated team manager and appointing himself to the helm, he eventually leads the team down the road to a playoff opportunity, winning everyones hearts along the way. (see, innocent).  Their radio announcer, Wally Holland, at one point in the movie gives the pinnacle of all inane stats...

"He's eight for 13 this year...against left-handers...in night games...played above the Mason Dixon Line."  

Indeed.