Striking study

Earlier this year we learned the inconclusive results of a study that showed there might be a racial inequality in calls made by NBA referees. Well, surprise baseball. You’re up next.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Tribune, a new study by a University of Texas economist suggests that umpires hold a bias toward pitchers of the same race or ethnicity. And you won’t believe the conclusive findings in this one.

“Among the study’s findings: White umpires called strikes on 32.06 percent of pitches from white pitchers, but only 30.61 from black pitchers.”

Whoa, less than a two percent difference. Call the ACLU. But wait, there’s more.

“When both starting pitchers or neither starter matches the umpire’s race, the home team wins 53.8 percent of the time. When the home team’s pitcher’s race matches the umpire’s, the home team wins 55.6 percent of the time.”

Stop. I’m dizzy. As if David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis needed more fuel for their constant bickering, now they have this nonsense in their back pocket.