Title
Major League Baseball 2015, What a Difference a Year Makes
Publication Date
12-11-2016
Publication Name
Applied Economics Letters
Volume
23
Issue
18
First Page
1289
Last Page
1293
Source Full Text URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2016.1150945
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1080/13504851.2016.1150945
Abstract
© 2016 Taylor & Francis. An econometric analysis of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is conducted with respect to regular season victories. Results obtained confirm some, but not all, results reported in prior research. The importance of solid team pitching and offense is underscored. Similar to 2014, team defence did not vary sufficiently to play a statistically significant role in team victory differences. Outcomes for total payrolls and salary disparities differ substantially from prior seasons. History may serve as a guide to what occurs on the field, but it does not always replicate the patterns of bygone years. Parameter heterogeneity is substantial and argues against pooling sample data from season to season. From a strict econometric perspective, the results obtained indicate that panel methods should not be utilized to analyse wins data for Major League Baseball. Ultimately, 2015 represents another departure from the standard baseball norm.