Pleasant Good Day to All,
For those unfamiliar with the book, movie or concept, Moneyball was the name given to the strategy used by Billy Beane, Manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, in their 2002 season, when replacements had to be found for the loss of two of their star players. As a result of their budget not allowing them to outbid the more profitable teams for the contracts of more prolific players, the Moneyball process was formulated by using sabermetrics to find players who were undervalued by the league, and who the Athletics would be able to afford and still win games. Despite this strategy leading to a twenty-game winning streak that catapulted the Athletics to top their division standings for that season, they failed to make it past the first round of the post-game season for that year, ending their chances at winning the World Series.
The thing about the Moneyball system is that it never devalued the star players who still dominate the game nor did it diminish their net worth during trading season. What it did accomplish, however, was to create a system by which club management could use sabermetrics to put together better-rounded teams to match their counterparts who could afford the star power. It brought about more equality in the sport, but more importantly, it allowed undervalued players an opportunity that they would not have gotten under the more traditional system.
It is not a secret that UNC today does not have the high-calibre names that could be argued propelled it to victory in 2010. Much of that has to do with the fact that many persons who are eager to get into politics do not fancy sitting on the Opposition bench. But much of it also has to do with the reality that there are those who do not agree with the direction that Kamla Persad Bissessar has taken the party, and would only return to it if they are elevated to a position that would allow them to make substantial changes. As such, there has been some commentary of late attempting to attribute the defeat in the 2020 general election to the fact that the UNC has been depleted of some of its star power, and a similar result may occur in 2025 if it is not corrected.
One of the drawbacks of having star players, in both sports and politics, however, is the primadonna attitude that often is associated with them. But while this type of behaviour is often expected and encouraged among star sports stars, it has no place in politics especially when constituents expect a certain level of representation and interaction with their elected officials. Often, the blinding lights of colonial architecture, golf courses, highrise buildings and Porche vehicles can inflate the sense of ego among politicians which in turn can be a detriment to the citizens who these officials may believe are beneath them. And this effect is even worse for those who come into the field of politics with this chip firmly planted on their shoulders. This is the reason why someone might offer themselves for nomination on a general election ballot, but refuse a seat in the Senate if it resides on the Opposition bench.
So, the reason I am writing all of this is in response to some recent articles and columns questioning the UNC’s ability to successfully contest the 2025 general election with a slate that has been “depleted” by the few persons who might have chosen to cross the floor. This would have only been a problem, however, had Kamla Persad Bissessar not been using her time as Political Leader of the UNC to cultivate a more cohesive and loyal lineup of politicians who are committed to the cause of the party and its supporters. While some might consider this loyalty to be aggressive and passionate, that is exactly what is needed for victory in politics, especially if a party is seeking to form the next government. But more than that is that by moulding the next generation of politicians with the same values and ideals that have been appreciated and celebrated by her supporters, Kamla Persad Bissessar is ensuring the longevity of the party after she has exited the political arena.
For context, just imagine how the West Indies cricket team might have progressed following World Series Cricket, had they been allowed to carry on with the young players that were being led by Alvin Kallicharan, rather than reverting to the old brigade after their contract with Kerry Packer had ended. Basically what I’m saying is that UNC doesn’t need Viv Richards to win the game in 2025.
Best regards,
Ravi Balgobin Maharaj