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Posted By: John

Gil,

You are referring to the extremes of the data which are called outliers. They are often not even considered when doing statistical analysis because they fall more than three standard deviations from the mean. What must be considered is how large or small the standard deviations fall from the mean. This can then be related to the equality or disparity of talent within the groupings we are discussing. Standard deviations for ERA and batting averages are much smaller for modern players than players from the deadball era and before. The Wagners and Cobbs would probably stand out in today's game as well, but the average player of today's game would be better than the average player from the deadball era or before.

What does this all mean in reference to the original topic of the thread? Our attraction to Wagner, Cobb, and other deadball era players has little to do to with how they would compare with today's players. It is the fact they were less removed from the common person of their era in terms of finances. They played to make a living at something they enjoyed, not to get rich. I would rather read about the exploits of players that have been gone for one hundred years rather than getting wrapped up in the melodramatic media saturated atmosphere that surrounds modern sports.