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The Designated Hitter and Political Leanings
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:22 pm
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:22 pm
The designated hitter rule divides baseball fans more than any rule in any other sport. The rule also provides an interesting avenue for sociological research as the rule is widespread across a variety of settings in the US. This article explores the connection between support for the designated hitter and political leanings.
Here also is a commentary on the article.
The Politics of the Designated Hitter
I am curious if the findings in this article would hold up today.
ETA: Link to original paper. The Etiology of Support for the Designated Hitter
quote:
ABSTRACT Since its introduction in 1973, major league baseball’s designated hitter (DH) rule has been the subject of continuing controversy. Here, we investigate the political and socio–demographic determinants of public opinion toward the DH rule, using data from a nationwide poll conducted during September 1997. Our ?ndings suggest that it is in fact Democrats, not Republicans, who tend to favor the DH.In addition, we ?nd no effect for respondents’ proximity to American or National League teams, though older respondents were consistently more likely to oppose the rule.
Here also is a commentary on the article.
The Politics of the Designated Hitter
I am curious if the findings in this article would hold up today.
ETA: Link to original paper. The Etiology of Support for the Designated Hitter
This post was edited on 7/2/16 at 9:29 pm
7
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:23 pm to STLDawg
U have a great blog!!!!!
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:30 pm to STLDawg
Having skimmed the article and without having any proof, I feel like this is mostly just based on whether your team is in AL or NL.
At the same time, you might as well post this on the PT board, because they love finding over the top reasons to hate the left.
At the same time, you might as well post this on the PT board, because they love finding over the top reasons to hate the left.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:36 pm to STLDawg
I would guess Republicans would be in favor of the NL rules and Democrats in favor of AL rules, if there is a correlation at all.
Reason being Republicans are more likely to be older and more traditional... which would align with the more traditional rules of the NL where the pitcher bats.
Democrats are more likely to be younger and non-traditional and would be in favor of bending the old rules to allow for a DH.
Reason being Republicans are more likely to be older and more traditional... which would align with the more traditional rules of the NL where the pitcher bats.
Democrats are more likely to be younger and non-traditional and would be in favor of bending the old rules to allow for a DH.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:47 pm to PrimeTime Money
quote:
Reason being Republicans are more likely to be older and more traditional... which would align with the more traditional rules of the NL where the pitcher bats.
Democrats are more likely to be younger and non-traditional and would be in favor of bending the old rules to allow for a DH.
Maybe, but I don't know how much effect that would have in this day and age. You'd have to be over 50 to remember when the DH was a new idea. For anyone under 50, the DH rule is what the American League does and pitchers batting is what the National League does.
The article said there doesn't appear to be a correlation between closest team and DH preference. But a lot of people don't live where they grew up. You also have the Brewers and Astros switching leagues, the Expos moving into a traditional AL city that spent 40 years with another AL team nearby, and expansion teams popping up in cities that previously had divided loyalties. There are five metro areas with a team in each league (NYC, SF/Oak, LA, Chicago, and DC/Bal). So there's plenty to muddle the issue.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 9:59 pm to STLDawg
I'm very liberal and I really hate the concept of a designated hitter.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 10:06 pm to Asgard Device
quote:
I'm very liberal and I really hate the concept of a designated hitter.
I would have been considered a lib until about 10 years ago. I also think the DH is a dumb idea. Cubs and Giants and Mets and Nats fans are probably all predominantly liberal and anti-DH.
When I was in college I noticed the divide was mainly AL fans vs NL fans. I suspect if they went by fanhood and not by current location, they'd find a pattern.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 10:11 pm to Bestbank Tiger
Most people in the deep south grew up as fans of the Cubs or Braves, so that makes sense.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 10:15 pm to Asgard Device
quote:
Most people in the deep south grew up as fans of the Cubs or Braves, so that makes sense.
Yep. Or Cardinals or Astros. Pretty much an NL monopoly.
Arizona is a conservative state but fans there typically followed the Giants before they got the D-Backs.
As the blog noted, the survey didn't ask the right questions. A DH hater living in Kansas City might have grown up in Cincy. A DH fan in Miami might be a native of Minnesota.
Posted on 7/2/16 at 11:44 pm to STLDawg
KEEP POLITICS OUT OF BASEBALL
Posted on 7/2/16 at 11:54 pm to Mr. Hangover
Oh this is where your pea brain sees everything in either left or right ... Murica
Posted on 7/3/16 at 12:26 am to STLDawg
I'm a pinko commie and I abhor the DH.
Posted on 7/3/16 at 12:44 am to taylork37
I vote democrat and hate the DH
Posted on 7/3/16 at 8:36 am to gobuxgo5
So when are the right/left going to realise that most of the people are in the middle and don't really care? I'm an independent and really don't care about the DH. As long as both teams do the same thing. It really doesn't make a difference.
Posted on 7/3/16 at 8:48 am to brmark70816
quote:
So when are the right/left going to realise that most of the people are in the middle and don't really care? I'm an independent and really don't care about the DH. As long as both teams do the same thing. It really doesn't make a difference.
It isn't a partisan issue. The researchers just thought it was interesting to see how people of different political persuasions viewed nonpolitical issues. Maybe just to get at how their minds work in general.
I did make a mistake in my earlier post. The study was from 20 years ago so most adults wouldn't nhave grown up with the DH. But I do think AL/NL fanhood still has a lot to do with it.
The age correlation still wouldn't be that good an explanation because back then a lot of older people came of age when the GOP was associated with Hoover and had an image problem, or were old line Johnny Rebs who were angry about the War of Northern Aggression.
Posted on 7/3/16 at 8:49 am to STLDawg
frick the DH
and I lean more Democrat so theory is shite
and I lean more Democrat so theory is shite
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