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Alan Schwartz of the New York Times introduces us to mathematician Steve C. Wang who has used a method of graphical representation of data called Chernoff faces to show what tendencies major league managers have.
While reams of categorical data can be imposing and hard to parse, translating the differences among them into facial characteristics can communicate distinctions with striking clarity. By turning rates of bunting, stealing and pinch-hitting into hair sizes, nose shapes and smile widths, Dr. Wang used a kind of statistical Mr. Potato Head to portray the spectrum of managerial characteristics in a way that intrigued even the skippers themselves.
“It’s easy for people to think that all managers are the same, that we all pull the levers the same way,” said Willie Randolph of the New York Mets, surveying his own Chernoff face alongside those of his 29 contemporaries. “Looking at this, I really never thought of it this way, but we all have our own characteristics.”
There is a popup with a graphic of all the managers. The Jim Tracy representation is very scary.
Actually it is.
I can change it if anyone finds it objectionable.
There's a lot of big opportunities out there for people who have imaginative ways of presenting data. Images are faster to process than numbers.
Mike Scioscia looks terrified.
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