The Wall Street Journal has prepared this year’s Major League Baseball Hateability Index. The teams have been given points on their mal-practices. Higher points here suggest more hateability. That is, more points a team secures more it is a subject of scorn. Points have been given on issues such as suspension for drug abuses, having funny beards and even for winning too much. This year the number of criteria for constructing the index has been increased.
St. Louis Cardinals has topped the list this year. The NL Central champs have secured 12.7 points, a little more than the Dodgers who have a score of 10.8. Teams have been given point for winning a series of leagues in the past years as these increases the dislike against the team. The Cardinals received points for the league title they have won in the last ten years. The Dodgers received points for the huge payments it makes to its players. Baltimore Orioles collected points for drug suspension of its players. Nelson Cruz, who have been suspended in 50 games last year and Chris Davis, who has faced suspension in 25 games are worthy of mention.
Teams were given points for battering the opponents. In this respect Pittsburg Pirates is a clear winner. Beardiness was another criterion for securing points. Annoying characteristics of the team’s fans have also won them points. Interestingly, the teams also secured a point each time they appeared on the Sports Illustrated cover in 2014. The basic idea for setting this criteria is that, more media attention a team gets more is it a subject of disdain.
The hateability index has important implications for sports economics. It gives an idea to the baseball lovers as to which teams to put bait on and which teams to root against. The idea the baseball fans make on the teams affects the number of tickets sold on the matches of particular teams. It can even have an effect on the team’s revenues and the players’ pay-off.
Reference
Wall Street Journal, Sep. 29, 2014 12.42 p.m. ET. The 2014 Baseball Playoffs Hateability Index. Which Teams Should You Root Against This October? By Brian Costa.
