So Paul Depodesta just got hired at my company?

[Jazz]

Welcome aboard - Paul DePodesta - Data Science Group

Posted by Vitaly Gordon in Vitaly Gordon's Blog on Apr 1, 2012 5:01:42 PM

Hi All,

Please join me in welcoming Paul DePodesta to the LivePerson Data Science group.

Paul has a degree in Economics from Harvard University and he brings with him a wide set of expertise in using data in order to improve the results of several large organizations he worked at, the last being ... wait for it ... the New York Mets!

 

If his name rings a bell, you are not the only one. Paul's work was depicted in Michael Lewis' best selling book, Moneyball, which recently was also released to the big screen starring Brad Pitt. If you don't remember the name from the movie, it's because the name of the character there was Peter Brand and depicted by Jonah Hill (who got nominated for an academy award for his role) as a numbers loving nerd. Once you will get to know him, you will find for yourself that he is exactly the opposite of his portrayal in the movie, and he is one of the coolest guys with 15 years of experience in the MLB I've ever met . Frankly, I was a little upset for him myself once I realized how different he is than the character played by Jonah Hill.

 

Couple of facts about Paul to help you to know him better:

Paul started his career at the Cleveland Indians

Later, he moved to the Oakland A's as an assistant GM to Billy Beane. During his tenure the A's were so successful that Michael Lewis decided to write his famous book about them.

Paul was the 5th youngest GM in MLB history when he was appointed to manage the LA Dodgers.

Paul placed 4th in the memory world championship in 2000, behind only to current and future world champions.

Paul spent a year teaching English in Lithuania.

 

Paul can be reached at pdepodesta@liveperson.com

 

Again, welcome aboard Paul!"

 

I work at the Israeli branch, found it kind of funny , and didn't know where else to post this.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Um, April Fools?

[bukie]

It'll be tough for him to swing that job while he's the VP of player development for the Mets.

[SouthSideRyan]

What a weird guy to do a joke about.

[Cubswin11]

Memory World Championship??????????

[Bryants Disco Ball]

What a weird guy to do a joke about.

 

Haha. Exactly.

 

I just can't imagine somebody reading this at that workplace, getting excited and then realizing it was a joke: "You hear what Vitaly Gordon did yesterday? Got John and Brian over there to think we hired Paul Depodesta. It was sweet."

[Jazz]

wow lol forgot what day it was, so weird...

[El Duderino]

that vitaly gordon is such a trickster

[NewUserName]

I think Depodesto is kind of perfect for the joke. Not a huge name that would put everyone's April Fools senses on alarm, but big enough, especially with the bio, to really peak interest.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Sam Fuld to the Yankees classic is a tough one to trump.

[Geech]

I admit it, this got me. I was about to chastise you for including his email address on the post until I read the responses calling out it out as a prank.