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Is the percentage of runs scored via home runs down this year?

Posted by

April 28, 2005

In 2004, 37.0% of runs in baseball were scored by a home run. This was higher than both 2003 (35.9%) and 2002 (35.8%). The increase was surprising because it occurred despite the fact that a new drug testing policy was implemented for the season.

What about 2005? We now have an even stiffer drug policy. The result: 34.2% of runs have scored via the home run thus far this year, the lowest percentage in the last four years. It is early in the season, however, and it is still unclear whether this result can be attributed to the new policy.

The teams that relied most on the home run in 2004:

1. Chicago Cubs 45.6%
2. Chicago White Sox 44.4%
3. Los Angeles Dodgers 43.5%

For 2005 the leaders are:

1. Chicago Cubs 44.7%
2. Arizona Diamondbacks 42.6%
3. Cincinnati Reds 41.9%

The Cubs lead once again, but the new "small-ball" White Sox have dropped down to 13th place in Major League Baseball at 34.3%, and the Dodgers have slid down even further to the 15th spot at 34.2%.


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