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Major League Baseball Players' Life Expectancies

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  • Jarron M. Saint Onge
  • Richard G. Rogers
  • Patrick M. Krueger

Abstract

Objective. We examine the importance of anthropometric and performance measures, and age, period, and cohort effects in explaining life expectancies among major league baseball (MLB) players over the past century. Methods. We use discrete time hazard models to calculate life tables with covariates with data from Total Baseball, a rich source of information on all players who played in the major league. Results. Compared to 20‐year‐old U.S. males, MLB players can expect almost five additional years of life. Height, weight, handedness, and player ratings are unassociated with the risk of death in this population of highly active and successful adults. Career length is inversely associated with the risk of death, likely because those who play longer gain additional incomes, physical fitness, and training. Conclusions. Our results indicate improvements in life expectancies with time for all age groups and indicate possible improvements in longevity in the general U.S. population.

Suggested Citation

  • Jarron M. Saint Onge & Richard G. Rogers & Patrick M. Krueger, 2008. "Major League Baseball Players' Life Expectancies," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 89(3), pages 817-830, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:89:y:2008:i:3:p:817-830
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2008.00562.x
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    1. David Moore & Mark Hayward, 1990. "Occupational careers and mortality of elderly men," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 27(1), pages 31-53, February.
    2. David Cutler & Grant Miller, 2005. "The role of public health improvements in health advances: The twentieth-century United States," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 42(1), pages 1-22, February.
    3. Richard G. Rogers & Robert A. Hummer & Patrick M. Krueger & Fred C. Pampel, 2005. "Mortality Attributable to Cigarette Smoking in the United States," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 31(2), pages 259-292, June.
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    1. Douglas Coate & Julia Schwenkenberg, 2013. "Survival Function Estimates for Champions Tour Golfers," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 14(6), pages 656-663, December.

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