Pursuing Facts or Narrative?

Writers represent facts or narrative. That applies to individuals or teams. Bias enters the narrative and sometimes the facts.

For example, someone may say "the team is 54-16 when leading after six innings." Our question should then be, what is their overall record? They might be 19-59 when tied or trailing after six innings.

Investigative journalist Bob Woodward explains his job is to "find the best version of the truth." He says that it is impossible to excavate all the facts.

Which brings me to 2023.

• Pieces (coaching, team leadership, ascending players) are in place for success.
• The sample size of games is small. "Never make assumptions." 
• Ask whether the team will have "Outlier" performances in the manner of Malcolm Gladwell or "Jekyll and Hyde" inconsistency as enumerated by Robert Louis Stevenson.
• The "iron" of the schedule lies ahead.
• Lean on the coaching expertise of Bill Parcells. "You are what your record says you are."  

Irony informs us that it is harder to see with our eyes than our heart.

Lagniappe. Study your approach.