It seems like Joe has done a lot of good things in terms of education in his community. However, this criterion:
"This degree is awarded to one who has demonstrated intellectual and humane values that are consistent with the aims of higher education, and with the highest ideals of a person's chosen field," Mohammad H. Qayoumi, Cal State East Bay president, said in a statement.
[emphasis mine] does not seem to jibe very well with this:
Joe: I don't read books like that. I didn't read Bill James' book, and you said he was complimenting me. Why would I wanna read a book about a computer, that gives computer numbers?
Me: It's not about a computer.
Joe: Well, I'm not reading the book, so I wouldn't know.
Me: I'm not --
Joe: Why would I wanna read the book? All I'm saying is, I see a game every day. I watch baseball every day. I have a better understanding about why things happen than the computer, because the computer only tells you what you put in it. I could make that computer say what I wanted it to say, if I put the right things in there. ... The computer is only as good as what you put in it. How do you think we got Enron? 
* not reading books
* criticizing the books you haven't read
* disparaging research
* being snooty about people who read books and do research
Congratulations, Cal State East Bay! Excellent choice for an honorary doctorate.
(One more, for old time's sake:
He is talking about the 2002 world-champion Anaheim Angels, but what he's really talking about is the book Moneyball (a book Joe Morgan hasn't read) and why it's bullshit (which is why he'll never read it). I try to point out the contradiction. "I think you should --"
Morgan cuts me off. "No, I shouldn't read the book. 'Cause I don't care about the book.")
Labels: honorary doctorate, joe morgan
