In one of many excellent scenes in “Moneyball’’ — the 2011 movie exploring the inner workings of the 2002 Oakland Athletics — general manager Billy Beane, as played by Brad Pitt, is growing increasingly frustrated with his scouts, depicted as a bunch of older, grizzled and not exactly forward-thinking veterans.
The discussion centers around finding affordable players to sign amid financial restraints and the need to find someone to replace the 38 home runs and 120 runs batted in that Jason Giambi produced the previous season. The head scout refers to a board listing all of the eligible free agents, and he asks Beane which players interest him.
“None of ’em,’’ Beane says, dismissively.
One scout spoke up.
