Exactly. But then the author ends with this note: "But [Billy Beane] is not the man who changed baseball."

It seemed to me the author was making the argument that Billy Beane's tactics, which once were unique, are now widespread and without that advantage, his team stinks.

So... it sounds like he did change baseball. At least he changed the appreciation of OBP and Slugging Percentage. This article's conclusion is confusing.