The Journal of Quirky Anthropological Studies (2024) 40, 53-67

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The Ballad of Bailey: A Name's Impact on Cleveland
Guardians Game AttendanceCharlotte Horton, Alexander Taylor, Gideon P Tompkins
Advanced Research Consortium; Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Abstract
In this study, we explore the often overlooked relationship between the popularity of the first name
"Bailey" and ticket sales for Cleveland Guardians games. Drawing upon data from the US Social Security
Administration and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, we conducted a thoroughanalysis to determine the extent of this connection. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation
coefficient of 0.9257760, with a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a strong statistical significance. This
unexpected correlation grants us insight into the curious influence of a name on sports attendance,
shedding light on the peculiar interplay between nomenclature and fandom. With tongue firmly in cheek,
we present these findings for both scholarly consideration and the pure amusement of uncovering suchan offbeat association.
Copyleft 2024 Advanced Research Consortium. No rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Introduction
The study of human behavior has longcaptured the interest of researchers acrossvarious disciplines. As researchers, we
strive to unravel the enigmatic, often
bewildering factors that influence humandecisions. In the realm of sports attendance,
numerous factors have been scrutinized,
from team performance to weatherconditions,promotional
activities
tobobblehead giveaways. However, weembark on a journey to explore a variable

that has eluded the spotlight until now - theimpact of a first name on attendance atCleveland Guardians games. Specifically,
we focus our attention on the captivatingtale of the name "Bailey" and its uniqueassociation with ticket sales.
While some may dub our examination as
whimsical or trivial, our findings promise to
uncover an unexpected and, dare we say,delightful connection between nomenclatureand ticket purchases. By delving into datafrom the US Social Security Administration
and Baseball-Reference.com, which spans
decades of Cleveland Guardians games

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchand the ebb and flow of "Bailey" popularity,
we aim to shed light on this peculiar
correlation.
One cannot help but marvel at thepeculiarities of human behavior and theidiosyncrasies that lie beneath the surfaceof seemingly mundane phenomena. The
allure of this study lies not only in its
statistical implications but also in the sheer
amusementofunravelingamost
improbable relationship between a nameand sports attendance.
With a touch of whimsy and a dash ofstatistical rigor, we present our investigation
into "The Ballad of Bailey" for the scholarly
community to ponder and, perhaps, indulge
in a chuckle at the sheer absurdity of thiscurious association. So, dear reader, join us
on this scholarly escapade as we explore
the unexpected symphony of nomenclatureand baseball fandom.

2. Literature Review
The intriguing intersection of nomenclatureand sports attendance has captivatedscholars for decades, leading to a diverse
array of studies that have sought to unravel
the complexities of this peculiar relationship.
Smith (2005) meticulously examined theimpact of first names on consumer behavior,delving into the psychological underpinningsof how certain names may influence
decision-making processes. Similarly, DoeandJones(2012)
conductedacomprehensive analysis of the confluenceof human nomenclature and social
phenomena, shedding light on the subtle,
yet profound, associations that names may
hold in various contexts.
Turning to the realm of sports fandom,Johnson et al. (2018) explored themultifaceted factors that drive attendance at
professional sporting events, considering
everything from team performance topromotional activities. Meanwhile, Brownand Miller (2014) investigated the influenceof weather conditions on game attendance,illuminating the impact of environmental
variables on spectator turnout.
In the realm of popular non-fiction literature,"Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt andStephen J. Dubner provides a thoughtprovoking
examinationofseemingly
unrelated phenomena, offering a fresh
perspective on the unexpected connections
that shape human behavior. Additionally,"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell delves into thesubconscious processes that underpin
decision-making, revealing the intricate
interplay of factors that guide humanchoices.
Shifting gears to the world of fiction,"Moneyball" by Michael Lewis offers acaptivating narrative that intertwines therealms of sports, statistics, and unorthodox
approaches to success, providing awhimsical yet insightful lens through which
to view the complexities of athletic
endeavors. Likewise, "The Art of Fielding"by Chad Harbach immerses readers in theenthralling world of collegiate baseball,
exploring the nuances of sports culture witha touch of literary finesse.
Drawing inspiration from unlikely sources,
the board game "Ticket to Ride" subtly
underscores the allure of travel andexploration, offering a playful reflection on
the myriad motivations that drive individuals
to embark on journeys – whether physical ormetaphorical. Additionally, the strategic
dynamics of "Monopoly" provide awhimsical parallel to the economic
intricacies
that
underscore
sportsattendance, hinting at the intriguing interplayof chance and strategy in the realm ofleisure activities.
As we delve into the hitherto uncharted
terrain of the connection between thepopularity of the first name "Bailey" andticket sales for Cleveland Guardians games,
we are reminded of the delightful

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchrandomness and unexpected whimsy that
often underlie the most unconventional
academic pursuits. With these diverse
influences and perspectives in mind, weembark on our exploration with equal parts
scholarly rigor and a sprinkle of lighthearted
curiosity, ready to unravel the enthrallingballad of Bailey and its enigmatic sway overbaseball fandom.

3. Our approach & methods
To begin our whimsical yet rigorous
investigation into the connection betweenthe popularity of the first name "Bailey" andticket sales for Cleveland Guardians games,
we compiled a treasure trove of dataspanning the years 1975 to 2019. Our datacollection sources included the US Social
Security Administration and BaseballReference.com, because who knew those
two database wizards would ever join forces
for such a peculiar quest?
The first task in our daring expedition
involved extracting the frequency of thename "Bailey" from the US Social Security
Administration records. This involved
navigating the labyrinthine pathways ofgovernment archives, wading throughdecades of birth records to distill theessence, or perhaps the "proof," of "Bailey"
popularity. With the bureaucratic obstacles
overcome,
weemerged
triumphant,
clutching our precious "Bailey" frequency
data like intrepid explorers claiming a rare
artifact.
Next, we descended into the depths ofBaseball-Reference.com to unearth theattendance figures for Cleveland Guardiansgames. This digital excavation required
dexterity in navigating baseball jargon andstatistical tables, all while resisting thetemptation to get lost in a data-induced
daydream about the glory days of baseball.
After emerging from this data mine, weemerged clutching our precious attendance

figures, ready to uncover the hidden
melodies of "Bailey" and baseball fandom.
With our arsenal of data in hand, we
approached the task of statistical analysis
with the determination of a seasoned
detective unraveling a complex mystery.
Armed with correlation coefficients and pvalues, we employed the formidable tools ofa research team well-versed in the arts ofnumber crunching. As we delved into thestatistical abyss, we sought to reveal theenchanting dance of numbers and reveal
the enchanting pas de deux between"Bailey" and fandom.
Our analysis involved the deployment ofsophisticated statistical software, wielding
its powers to unearth the mystical
relationship between the ebb and flow of"Bailey" popularity and the labyrinthine
pathways of Cleveland Guardians gameattendance. We conducted regression
analyses, conjured scatter plots, andinvoked the spirits of hypothesis testing tounravel this most curious of connections.
Through these multifaceted researchmaneuvers, we aimed to not only uncover
the statistical significance of the "Bailey"
phenomenon but also to infuse ourinvestigation with a dash of whimsy andmerriment. For what is a scholarly
exploration without a sprinkle of intellectual
mischief and a generous serving ofstatistical revelry?
In essence, our methodology represents a
dedicated and light-hearted pursuit ofknowledge, melding statistical rigidity with apenchant for the unexpected. With data inhand and a twinkle in our eyes, we ventured
forth to unravel "The Ballad of Bailey" andilluminate the rather peculiar interplay
between a name and the magnetism ofbaseball attendance.

4. Results

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

The analysis of the data from the US Social
Security Administration and BaseballReference.com yielded some intriguing
results regarding the correlation between
the popularity of the first name "Bailey" andticket sales for Cleveland Guardians games.
We found a remarkably high correlation
coefficient of 0.9257760, indicating a strong
positive relationship between the twovariables. This finding suggests that as thepopularity of the name "Bailey" increased,so did the attendance at Cleveland
Guardians games.
Additionally, the coefficient of determination(r-squared) was calculated to be 0.8570612,
implying that approximately 85.71% of thevariance in ticket sales can be explained by
the popularity of the name "Bailey." This
substantial value further supports therobustness of the observed relationship.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides
strong evidence against the null hypothesis
and indicates a high level of statisticalsignificance. Hence, we can confidently
assert that the correlation between thepopularity of the first name "Bailey" andticket sales for Cleveland Guardians games
is not the result of mere chance orrandomness.

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

Furthermore, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually
illustrates the strong positive correlation
between the two variables, emphasizing theclose association andquantitative findings.

reinforcing

theThese results underscore the peculiarinterplay between nomenclature andfandom, highlighting the intriguing influenceof a seemingly unrelated factor on sports
attendance. The unexpected nature of thiscorrelation encourages further exploration ofthe curious connections that underpin
human behavior and decision-making.
Our findings offer a whimsical perspectiveon the complex tapestry of sports
attendance, demonstrating that even theunlikeliest of factors may hold sway over fanbehavior. As we continue to unravel themysteries of human preferences, this study
stands as a testament to the unexpected
and delightful relationships that lie hidden
within the realm of sports fandom.

5. Discussion
Our findings echo, and even amplify, thepeculiar interplay between nomenclatureand fandom as previously suggested in theliterature. Smith (2005) and Doe and Jones(2012) explored the psychological nuancesof how names may influence decisionmaking, laying the groundwork for ourinvestigation. It appears that the impact ofnames extends beyond consumer behavior
and seeps into the realm of sports
attendance, demonstrating the quirky reachof nomenclatural influence.
In a manner reminiscent of the unorthodox
approaches detailed in "Moneyball" byMichael Lewis, our study unveils an
unanticipated variable in the game of sports
attendance, adding a whimsical twist to thetraditional factors considered. Just as"Ticket to Ride" tantalizingly teases out themotivations for embarking on journeys, ourresearch sheds light on the hitherto
unforeseen motivations that may underpin
fan turnout – in this case, a name that holds
an inexplicable allure.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

The substantial correlation coefficient andcoefficient of determination unearthed in ouranalysis not only validate the statisticalrobustness of the Bailey phenomenon but
also serve as a whimsical nod to theunexpected relationships that pepper theacademic landscape. It seems that, much
like the strategic dynamics of "Monopoly,"where chance and strategy mingle in the
pursuit of leisurely conquests, the interplay
betweennomenclatureandsports
attendance adds an element of playful
unpredictability to the world of statisticalinquiry.
Moreover, our results align with the thoughtprovoking spirit of "Freakonomics" and"Blink," underscoring the intricate interplayof factors that guide human choices. Thehigh level of statistical significance,embodied in our minuscule p-value, adds asprinkle of serendipity to the mix, affirmingthat this curious correlation is not the
product of mere happenstance but rather adelightful
instance
ofstatisticalsynchronicity.
In the grand symphony of human behavior,
our study stands as a testament to thewhimsical and unexpected orchestrations
that may sway fan preferences, akin to thedelightful randomness and unforeseen
whimsy that pervades the offbeat pursuits
chronicled in "The Art of Fielding." It is areminder that even in the most improbableof places, there lies hidden a ballad waiting
to be uncovered – and in this case, thatballad is carried on the crest of a name:
Bailey.

6. Conclusion
In conclusion, our investigation into theconnection between the popularity of thefirst name "Bailey" and ticket sales forCleveland Guardians games has unveiled amost unexpected and, one might venture tosay, charming relationship. The remarkably
high correlation coefficient of 0.9257760,

coupled with a p-value of less than 0.01,
provides compelling evidence of a strong
statistical significance that cannot bedismissed lightly. The twinning of these
seemingly
disparateelements,
nomenclature, and sports attendance,
delivers a salient revelation as to thewhimsical and capricious nature of humanbehavior.
The results of our study not only shed lighton the obscure dynamics at play in sports
attendance but also prompt a degree ofmirth and amusement at the sheer absurdityof this discovery. As we stand on theprecipice of this improbable correlation, one
cannot help but marvel at the delightfulwhims of statistical fate and the inexplicableallure of a name. We invite the scholarly
community to embrace these findings with atouch of lightheartedness and therecognition that even in the realm ofempirical research, there exists a whimsicalinterplay of the unexpected.
As we embark on the next phase ofacademic inquiry, we assert, with utmost
confidence,
thattheunprecedented
correlation between the popularity of thename "Bailey" and ticket sales for Cleveland
Guardiansgames
warrants
furtherexploration and contemplation. One cannot
help but cherish the notion that even in therealm of the seemingly mundane, thereexists a delightful symphony of statisticalsignificance and comical happenstance. In
the spirit of scholarly curiosity, we extend a
replicated nod to our findings and advocate
for the acceptance of this unlikely alliance
between nomenclature and fandom.
In the grand tapestry of academic inquiry,
we have woven a colorful thread of unlikely
connections and statistical revelations,presenting a tale as improbable as it iscaptivating. As such, we boldly declare thatno further research is needed in this area,
for the surreal charm of the "Bailey effect"
on Cleveland Guardians game attendance
stands as a whimsical testament to theThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

delightful dance of human idiosyncrasies
and statistical happenstance. May this study
serve as a reminder that even within therealms of scholarly pursuits, there lies anunexpected symphony of the possible andthe capricious, waiting to be unraveled.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research