Billy Beane wrote the book on being a general manager. Now bring on the video game.

Yes, we understand Beane didn't actually write Moneyball. It just seemed like he did. But now he has signed on to help gamers act out his job in MLB Front Office Manager, a video game out this winter for Xbox 360, Playstation and PC.

"I cannot think of any part of the job that has been left out," he said, promoting the product as his A's were closing out the season in late September.

It is Fantasy Baseball for the offseason, really. (Unless you are really an addict and have formed AFL (Arizona Fall League) or DWL (Dominican Winter League) Fantasy League with your buddies.)

It is the exact thing Beane said he dreamed about having available to him as a kid. You know the feeling ... especially if you were like this writer who was hooked on Nintendo's Baseball Stars almost a generation ago.

That same passion followed Beane after he was drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 1980 draft. In his first year as a pro, he was in the locker room seeing then Mets GM Frank Cashen walking around in a suit. He actually wasn't as anxious to play for him as he was hopeful to someday take his job.

"That is the guy we should want to be," he remembered telling his buddy in the locker next to him.

Beane doesn't actually play Fantasy Baseball, but he does admit to being a stratomatic addict as a kid and is competing in a celebrity Fantasy Football league on website inferior to CBSSports.com -- which shall remain nameless.

As for why he won't play Fantasy Baseball against us or with us?

"I don't want to deal with getting beat. I couldn't accept it."

What Beane can and has had to deal with is public perception. It is one of the variables in the game that he likes best. He said owner's confidence factor was a "brilliant" addition that adds realism to the game, because, as he said, "In my own job as GM, I have to deal with managing up."

He also likes how "there is a price you pay for every decision you make." You have to allocate your resources, scouting East vs. West.

And, as for what he made sure they didn't leave out is randomness. You know, the same randomness he explained in Moneyball that he didn't care to plan for in baseball's real postseason. For instance, if someone is lifetime 4-for-10 off a pitcher and has gone 0-for-6, it does not mean he will get four hits in his next four at-bats.

"Randomness comes into play in this game," he said. "There is room for randomness in a world of statistical probability."

Just 20 minutes talking with Beane got us right down to that minutia, the smallest of details in a video game that mean so much.

"From negotiating trades to scouting new talent, MLB Front Office Manager has all the complexity and realism I could hope for in a game that is simulating what it means to be a Major League Baseball manager," Beane said in the game's official release. "I'm excited to be a part of a game that gives people a real world experience at what it's like to be in my shoes and take on the responsibility of building a Major League Baseball team."

Beane isn't just a face and name on the box either, he offers "advice, encouragement and guidance" in the game itself. Beane is ostensibly on his way to being the John Madden of baseball video games.

If it could only be as successful as the Madden football games, or as game-changing as Moneyball.

Some random topics Beane shared about his management opinions with us Fantasy Baseballers:

  • On a hitter's prime years. We mentioned age 27. "I'm 100 percent with you on that," he said. Beane said he signed Eric Chavez, the one long-term deal he has done, with the expectation his best years would be 26-31. It didn't work out due to injury, but it is a policy he will stick to.
  • With pitching, age is a difficult way to judge them, because injury is such a big factor in them. There is no optimal age, except if you are considering someone over 30. He doesn't like buying into arms over that age. Resumes tend to overrate them for the years that they won't be their physical best.
  • When judging pitchers: A. Look for their history of work. B. History of health. "My approach to pitching is buy in bulk, because injury can have such adverse immediate effects."
  • About hitters who are the Mr. Swing (and miss) at Everything like Miguel Tejada was described as being in Moneyball: "Strikeouts aren't all bad. If you strike out, at least you didn't hit into a double play. ... Homers lessen the pain of strikeouts. Jack Cust will hit 30 homers, but he walks a lot. Homers and walks have a linear correlation with winning. I don't mind strikeouts, but it depends on when you ask me. If there is a runner on third with less than two outs ..."

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