Billy Beane, not Brad Pitt -- at IU Southeast.

That's a Tuesday, so I'll make every effort to attend. Meanwhile, Tim Brown (Yahoo Sports) has the Oakland A's at 13th in the big league power poll, saying "Oakland's miraculous run in 2012 may be a sign of things to come."

Innovative Oakland A's GM Billy Beane to Speak at IU Southeast, by Joseph Lord (WFPL)

Billy Beane, the innovative Oakland Athletics general manager and one of the few people with the distinction of being played by Brad Pitt on film, will speak on Feb. 12 at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, the university said.

Beane is best for his usage of statistics to guide decision-making in baseball—particularly in ways that find and use players whose skills are undervalued, boosting teams in small market cities. His approach was featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 bestselling book Moneyball, which was adapted into film in 2011.

We get a movie. And you?

No sooner had the major league baseball season ended than I received a Facebook greeting card from JDB: "Sorry the only positive thing to happen to your team in five years is Brad Pitt portraying your general manager."

That's true. Then again, Oakland hasn't had 19 straight losing seasons (like the Pirates) ... the A's did not finish the campaign by collapsing in historic fashion (see: Red Sox; Braves) ... and Pitt's "Moneyball" is a very good movie, although not as epochal as the book. The message of both is larger than sports: Information and its proper use can level any playing field.

Now, I merely must apply that principle to beer sales. Until then, I'll not be able to afford the A's, or Pitt.