plunks and the dow

Finally the Astros get back to work. Tomorrow. And today is another day on which Craig Biggio has never been plunked. So, let's think about the economic impact of plunks.

So far this year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen an average of 38.05 points (-0.04%) in trading days after Craig Biggio was hit by a pitch. This makes it the worst year for post-plunk trading of Biggio's career (but only the third worst by percentage loss). In 1997, the Dow saw an average gain of 28.63, making that the best year for the Dow in the aftermath of Biggio plunks. Over the history of Biggio's career, the DJIA has remained close to even after plunks, with an average change of just 0.71. Market analysts no doubt will attribute this years losses to profit taking by investors.

The one time Biggio was hit by the Twins the Dow rose 117.33 in the next trading day. That's the most of any team, but hardly a convincing samples size. The Brewers 16 plunks have preceded an average gain of 48.17. The 29 trading sessions after Colorado's 32 plunks have seen an average loss of 28.49, the highest loss among National League teams, but the Rangers have panicked investors enough to drive down the Dow by 130.63 following their 4 plunks.

The biggest post plunk rally, a gain of 488.95, occured on July 24, 2002, the day after Jamey Wright hit Biggio with a pitch for Milwaukee.

The biggest decline came on July 6, 2001 after Robert Ellis of the Diamondbacks hit Biggio the day before. That session saw a decline of 227.18.