Murray State University
Applications of Economics: STUDY 2 (Shelley): Baseball Salaries as a Measure of Career Success
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
David Eaton
Abstract
The salary of a baseball player is a measure of career success for that particular athlete. There are a number of statistical measures which can be used to explain a player’s salary. Those statistics include player productivity, career statistics, position played, and the length of the player's career. These may be of particular importance for pitchers especially as they relate to differences in roles for the team (starting pitcher, middle relief, closer), whether the pitcher is left or right handed, and especially whether the pitcher has suffered a major arm injury. The focus of this paper will be to understand the impact of injuries to pitchers and how those injuries impact salaries. I hope to determine whether a serious arm injury is necessarily detrimental to a pitcher's career, and if the impact of the injury varies by role on the team, age when injured, and whether a pitcher is left or right handed.
Applications of Economics: STUDY 2 (Shelley): Baseball Salaries as a Measure of Career Success
The salary of a baseball player is a measure of career success for that particular athlete. There are a number of statistical measures which can be used to explain a player’s salary. Those statistics include player productivity, career statistics, position played, and the length of the player's career. These may be of particular importance for pitchers especially as they relate to differences in roles for the team (starting pitcher, middle relief, closer), whether the pitcher is left or right handed, and especially whether the pitcher has suffered a major arm injury. The focus of this paper will be to understand the impact of injuries to pitchers and how those injuries impact salaries. I hope to determine whether a serious arm injury is necessarily detrimental to a pitcher's career, and if the impact of the injury varies by role on the team, age when injured, and whether a pitcher is left or right handed.