1. A widely used nickname for American author Michael Lewis, Moneyballs combines a number of sly references in one puerile swoop. The term alludes simultaneously to (a) Lewis’s magnum opus, (b) the male anatomy — particularly, the balls part of it, and (c) Lewis’s own background in the financial sector, as chronicled in his first book Liar’s Poker. Finally, the term echoes faintly “Golden Balls”, the nickname that Britons have given to footballer David Beckham (after the Ballon d’Or, which, curiously, Beckham has never won).
2. A condition suffered by those of a sabermetric bent when they are forced to contend with statistical luddites: After his unfortunate encounter with Joe Morgan in the hotel lobby, writer Dave Cameron was stricken by a severe case of Moneyballs. He should be released from the hospital post-haste.
Michael Lewis has balls of money.
See Moneyballs in the RBI Database
