part of math class,” Loverro quoted Maddon as saying.

Maddon added that prior to spring training, he and others in baseball would talk to students via Skype about constructing a team.

“It leads to a draft day for this group as kids get together and put together a team,” Maddon said. “Incorporate it as part of math class with sabermetrics on a daily basis.”

Students would build teams in spring, follow their players in summer and return to school in time for playoffs in autumn.

Fortunately, schoolkids already are smarter than I am. I don’t know how to play fantasy sports and don’t understand advanced analytics.

But for a long time I have had this idea that baseball statistics would be a great learning tool in math.

I learned growing up that 1-for-7 was .143 (a Cubs hitter’s average) and 3-for-7 was .429 (an opponent’s average against Cubs pitching).

Man, have the Rizzos and Arrietas ever changed that equation the past couple of seasons.

I didn’t learn how to figure out percentages at Avondale grammar school. I learned how to from the sports pages.

But it would have been easier back in my day if math teachers included baseball in their lesson plans.

Joe Maddon said of his idea, “I think there are legs there, I really do … the numbers in baseball are so fascinating … make it part of math class.”

But he added, “I’ve put it out there before, but no one has listened.”

Keep banging the drum, Mr. Rock Star, and some day someone will hear you.

mimrem@dailyherald.com