AVERAGE WEIGHT OF MLB PLAYERS
While there's plenty of discussion concerning the ballooning average weight of NFL players since the 70's and 80's (the average offensive lineman is 62 lbs heavier today than he was in 1970), there isn't much talk about weight gain in baseball. But, not surprisingly, it's increased at almost the same rate.
1972 817 players, 185.5 lbs
1977 895 players, 186.3 lbs
1982 923 players, 189.0 lbs
1987 968 players, 193.9 lbs
1992 1001 players, 201.3 lbs
1997 1121 players, 205.9 lbs
2002 1216 players, 208.3 lbs
2007 1146 players, 207.2 lbs
Interestingly enough, it was after the 2002 season that baseball implemented its mandatory drug testing program.
Comments
It's interesting to note that average weight has actually declined since 2002. Might that have to do with the revised drug policy?
Posted by: Walter Lis | September 19, 2007 10:45 AM
I found this looking to compare NL to AL weight differences. I feel strongly about NL baseball, predicted when they implemented the DH we would see 1 dimensional Softball bashers and I expect to see a difference in average weight of position players NL/AL.
Posted by: marc aaron johnson | October 7, 2007 7:47 PM
Curious of the weight gain of the accused steroid users vs. those who have no sign of increased power/performance/weight gain. There are a number of athletes – some who do not seem to be listed in the Mitchell Report - that appear to have a significant body mass increase as well as performance gain (McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Rodriguez, Clemens, etc.). A variable as weight gain would be an indicator that ‘something’ has influenced their body. Of course, as we age, we tend to gain weight but to be a professional athlete, such weight gain would be expected to be minimal.
Also, aren’t their tests that can identify steroid use similar to the testing of hair roots to identify drug use?
Posted by: Michael L | January 8, 2008 12:49 PM
I LOVE ALEX ROGRIGUEZ....HE IS A SEXY BEAST AND IF I WASN'T A 567.4 lb MAN I'D ASK HIM TO BE MY LIFE PARTENER!!!
I LOVE YOU!
Posted by: John Fredbushel | April 14, 2008 6:15 PM