Laurila: Q&A with Sig Mejdal, Astros Director of Decision Sciences
From SABR member David Laurila at FanGraphs on March 12, 2013:
Sig Mejdal is part of the brave new world of Houston Astros baseball. That world — at least as it pertains to the decision-making process — revolves around statistical analysis. Along with general manager Jeff Luhnow, Mejdal helps lead what has become one of most progressive front offices in baseball.
Formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals — along with Luhnow — Mejdal has a pair of engineering degrees — as well as advanced degrees in operations research and cognitive psychology/human factors. He talked about the Astros saber-savvy approach this month during the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
——
David Laurila: Your title is “director of decision sciences.” That’s unique within baseball.
Sig Mejdal: Yes, that’s one way of putting it. I believe one writer called it pretentious. To be fair, it is an unusual title, and it’s a first in the industry. Still, given exactly what we do, I think it is an appropriate title. “Decision sciences” involves identifying the attributes that lead to an understanding of the expectancies and variabilities relevant to a particular decision. In short, maximizing your output in an uncertain world. That’s our job: Creating decision aids based on the analysis in order to assist our decision makers.
Read the full article here: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/qa-sig-mejdal-astros-director-of-decision-sciences/
Related links:
- Sig Mejdal takes on unique role for Houston Astros (January 31, 2012)
- Meet a SABR member: Sig Mejdal (July 20, 2006)
Originally published: March 12, 2013. Last Updated: March 12, 2013.