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Further Examination of Potential Discrimination Among MLB Umpires

Author

Listed:
  • Scott Tainsky
  • Brian M. Mills
  • Jason A. Winfree

Abstract

We address potential racial bias by Major League Baseball umpires with respect to ball–strike calls. We offer a number of econometric specifications to test the robustness of the results, adding the role of implicit and explicit monitoring as well as pitch location. Our analysis shows mixed results regarding the matching of umpire and pitcher race. We conclude that evidence of own-race bias is sensitive to specification and methodology. How results can differ based on different data sets, specifications, time periods, and race classifications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott Tainsky & Brian M. Mills & Jason A. Winfree, 2015. "Further Examination of Potential Discrimination Among MLB Umpires," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 16(4), pages 353-374, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:16:y:2015:i:4:p:353-374
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002513487740
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    Cited by:

    1. Deshpande Sameer K. & Wyner Abraham, 2017. "A hierarchical Bayesian model of pitch framing," Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, De Gruyter, vol. 13(3), pages 95-112, September.
    2. Mike Hsu, 2024. "Umpire Home Bias in Major League Baseball," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(4), pages 423-442, May.
    3. Mills, Brian M. & Salaga, Steven, 2018. "A natural experiment for efficient markets: Information quality and influential agents," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 23-39.
    4. Mills, Brian M., 2017. "Technological innovations in monitoring and evaluation: Evidence of performance impacts among Major League Baseball umpires," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 189-199.
    5. John Charles Bradbury, 2019. "Monitoring and Employee Shirking: Evidence From MLB Umpires," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 20(6), pages 850-872, August.
    6. Reio Tanji, 2022. "Pitch Call Discrimination in Major League Baseball: The Effect on the Observed Performance and the Salaries," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 22-02, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    7. Brian M. Mills, 2017. "Policy Changes In Major League Baseball: Improved Agent Behavior And Ancillary Productivity Outcomes," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 55(2), pages 1104-1118, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    discrimination; race; baseball; monitoring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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