Final answer:
Billy Beane wanted Scott Hatteberg on the team despite his elbow injury due to Hatteberg's high on-base percentage, which was a key part of the Moneyball strategy focused on using statistical analysis, or sabermetrics, to identify undervalued players.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about a scenario involving Scott Hatteberg and Billy Beane that is featured in the story of Oakland Athletics and the Moneyball strategy, which falls under Business or Economics in relation to sports management. Despite Scott Hatteberg having irreparable nerve damage in his elbow, Billy Beane, the general manager of the Athletics, wanted him on the team primarily because of his high on-base percentage (OBP), which Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta identified as a key statistic for scoring runs.
Their strategy was based on sabermetrics, which assessed the value of players using statistical analysis, focusing on metrics that were undervalued by traditional scouting methods. Hatteberg's ability to get on base was prized more than his defensive shortcomings or injury issues, as the team was built on the philosophy of economically acquiring undervalued talent to compete against financially stronger teams.