The Brother-in-Law Effect

[Enscheff]

We have a generational mind among us here at Chop Country. This poster has unraveled the mystery of Nick Markskis' success in 2018. I'll quote his words to explain this phenomenon he uncovered:

except for he's (Flaherty) the brother in law of markakis. there's a human aspect to building a team that so many don't get.

like when they had that kid skip his AA all star start a few years ago only to never be heard from again. at some point there's a human aspect that WAR can't measure.
for example, all of you suggesting the braves drop the brother in law of the team's arguable MVP midseason don't get it. at all.

why am i not shocked that people who only see numbers would not understand.

you don't know sisters huh? markakis is having a career year and you'd **** with that for a piece that wouldn't really change much anyway? whatever buddy.

For those who like to read actual English, the theory posited is:

Flaherty is married to the sister of Mrs. Markakis. Those two guys being on the same team has made Markakis so happy he is now having a career year at the age of 34. Not only are they obviously chummy friends (who doesn't LOVE their in-laws?), a happy Mr. Flaherty leads to happy Mrs. Flaherty, which leads to happy Mrs. Markakis, which leads to a VERY happy Mr. Markakis, which leads to a productive Markakis, which leads to the Braves winning games, which leads to us (the fans) being happy.

Therefore, the theory is that a happy Ryan Flaherty ultimately leads to happiness for us! Why would we want to mess with that by getting rid of Flaherty?? Only an idiot would mess with that!!

It may be tempting to laugh at this profound revelation, as folks usually do when new revolutionary ideas are first presented, but then I dug into it. I present to you all proof that the Brother-in-Law Effect (BiLE) is, in fact, real!!

Behold the 15 game rolling wOBA for Markakis, divided into pertinent sections:



Section 1: The end of last season when Markakis sucked. A change was desperately needed!
Section 2: That change came in the form of AA using the BiLE, and getting Flaherty on the roster. Markakis started playing better!
Section 3: When Bautista was acquired, Flaherty's PAs went down, he got sad, and Markakis started to suck again.
Section 4: Bautista released! Flaherty gets PAs! Flaherty happy! Markakis has his best 15 game stretch as a Brave!!
Section 5: Camargo comes back. Flaherty's PAs dry up. Flaherty gets sad. Markakis starts to suck again.

It is beyond obvious the key to getting career-best production from Markakis is to give Flaherty PAs.

It makes too much sense not to happen!!

[bravesfanMatt]

This is awesome. But man you have too much time on your hands right now. Go cut the grass damnit.

[NYCBrave]

It was really worth it to create a new post and write paragraphs worth of material just to call out another poster YET AGAIN and make yourself look better YET AGAIN????

[bravesfanMatt]

It was really worth it to create a new post and write paragraphs worth of material just to call out another poster YET AGAIN and make yourself look better YET AGAIN????

I feel after studying the graph, that in fact, the other poster might be on to something. This is just great ground breaking research to support the observation that was extremely brilliant.

but why does this bother you really...

[mfree80]

It was really worth it to create a new post and write paragraphs worth of material just to call out another poster YET AGAIN and make yourself look better YET AGAIN????

Well, he could have just said "I respectfully disagree, and I think the numbers back me up..." but what fun would that be?

[nsacpi]

Well, he could have just said "I respectfully disagree, and I think the numbers back me up..." but what fun would that be?

he can't say that cuz the numbers back up the BiLE

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

I’m disappointed you didn’t compare it with the SCOPE (Second Cousin’s Other Position Effect).

[jpx7]

It was really worth it to create a new post and write paragraphs worth of material just to call out another poster YET AGAIN and make yourself look better YET AGAIN????

he can't say that cuz the numbers back up the BiLE

That’s what differentiates this post from those others abovementioned: the numbers actually appear to back up the brother-in-law thesis, so I think it is worth presenting.

[zbhargrove]

Lolololololol this is so amazing

[Bravesfannchar]

Lolololololol this is so amazing

Good ole Bile.

[50PoundHead]

It was really worth it to create a new post and write paragraphs worth of material just to call out another poster YET AGAIN and make yourself look better YET AGAIN????

I actually think this is one of the most inventive and humorous entries I've ever seen posted here. I don't see this as a direct shot at chipchildress.

[nsacpi]

BiLE should be a bumper sticker or on a t-shirt

the acronym alone is gold

[smootness]

I actually think this is one of the most inventive and humorous entries I've ever seen posted here. I don't see this as a direct shot at chipchildress.

You may think it's inventive and funny - but this is the definition of a direct shot.

[clvclv]

Tough day finding one of your regulars to drag into something ridiculous so you had to find a new target?

Go on back to the basement and don't forget your Cheetos - I promise we won't let the mean kids interrupt and torment you while you work on your groundbreaking work to prove the Heyward contract is completely justifiable.

[NYCBrave]

I actually think this is one of the most inventive and humorous entries I've ever seen posted here. I don't see this as a direct shot at chipchildress.

Um this guy doesn't do anything with the intent of humor lol.

[nsacpi]

Um this guy doesn't do anything with the intent of humor lol.

it's possible to be funny without trying

[cajunrevenge]

I think I had a sarcasm orgasm. Bravo to you sir, may your dreams be full of Andrelton Simmons defensive highlights.

[DaneHill]

If being actual brothers on a team (Uptons) didn't work out, then I can't see how brothers-in-law would have any effect. It's also rather insulting to Markakis's professionalism to suggest that he hasn't been trying as hard as he could have in previous years because he didn't have the right friend on the team. Though on the other hand, I suppose similarly, I do believe that the chemistry of a team can have an impact on the success of a team.

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

Um this guy doesn't do anything with the intent of humor lol.

Nah, Enscheff is legitimately hilarious sometimes in his back and forths with Gov.

I agree that this is basically a direct shot, but it’s hilarious enough that it’s okay. I would like a BE comparison with the Uptons and a SCOPE comparison with Marimon and Teheran but that’s a lot of work.

[The Chosen One]

If being actual brothers on a team (Uptons) didn't work out, then I can't see how brothers-in-law would have any effect. It's also rather insulting to Markakis's professionalism to suggest that he hasn't been trying as hard as he could have in previous years because he didn't have the right friend on the team. Though on the other hand, I suppose similarly, I do believe that the chemistry of a team can have an impact on the success of a team.

Sibling Rivalry could have been the downfall for Uptons.

Flaherty's sister could be happier to see both her husband and brother contributing to same team. Happier Flaherty family by default means Happier Flaherty Sister. By default that potentially means a Happier Nick Markakis? Perhaps Enscheff's next quest is to figure out a way to quantify Mrs. Markakis' Sabermetric Production to Neck?

What if chipchildress is right that there are some things we can't quantify such as the chemistry balance of Nick and his BiLe playing together and pushing each other. Another Human Element in Baseball that you can't quantify.