Kidney Stones v. Miami Marlins
Posted by Jonathan J. Miller -Monday, January 9, 2012, 12:02 AM
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This weekend I thought about the swirl of housing data – it’s misuse and spin. Much of the housing related data you see in the headlines has little to do with your local housing market and is often the subject material for Matrix.
Which brings me to the issue of drawing self-serving conclusions from thin data sets. Well, I have an exception, and I can prove it:
I get a kidney stone every time the Miami (formerly Florida) Marlins win a World Series or flirt with winning. Well it’s true and I am not even a fan of the Marlins. Simply coincidence? Heck no – I’ll lay it out for you in a timeline – the count is now at four balls (kidney stones) and I have clearly earned that walk to first base. Incidentally, I wouldn’t wish the pain they cause (kidney stones, not Marlins) on anyone.
Ball 1
Cause: In 1997 the Florida Marlins won the World Series.
Effect: In 1997 I went to the hospital with a kidney stone.
Ball 2
Cause: In 2003 the Florida Marlins won the World Series.
Effect: In 2003 I went to the hospital with a kidney stone.
Ball 3
Cause: In 2006, the Marlins, despite the odds against it after trading away their best players, flirted with winning the wild card.
Effect: In 2006, I went to the hospital with a kidney stone.
Trip to pitcher’s mound
A few years ago the owner of the Marlins actually called me directly to inquire about our services. At some point, after a few conversations, I happen to tease him about my kidney stone story and he seemed to find it humorous (or he was simply being polite). In all seriousness, what are the odds of getting a phone call like that and being able to tell a team owner such a crazy theory? It almost made the excruciating pain worth it – well actually, no, not even close.
Ball 4
Cause: In 2011-2012 the Florida Marlins return to championship building mode and sign former Met Jose Reyes.
Effect: This weekend I had a minor kidney stone but no trip to the hospital was needed this time.
Conclusion
There is more to glean from this painful experience. Each “event” was less painful then the prior so I assume if the Marlins actually win the World Series this year or get into the post-season, no pain will come of it because I saw it coming and began to drink a lot of water.
