Derek Jeter Most Popular Current Baseball Player

Concerns About Steroid Use Linger Among Fans

Derek Jeter enters his final baseball season with the New York Yankees as the most popular player in the game, according to a new survey by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute.

In a national survey of 1,009 people, respondents were asked to name their favorite player without being provided a list of names from which to choose.

Jeter, the Yankees shortstop for 18 seasons, was cited most often as people’s favorite baseball player, named by 39 respondents. David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox (11 mentions) and Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers (nine mentions) placed second and third, respectively. Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves, six), Alex Rodriguez (Yankees, five), Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies, five), Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox, five), Justin Verlander (Tigers, five) also all received at least five mentions.

Babe Ruth continues to be the all-time fan favorite, though few are alive who ever saw the Sultan of Swat play. Ruth was cited most often as people’s favorite all-time player, named by 29 respondents in the unprompted, open-end survey. Hank Aaron (21 votes), Mickey Mantle (17), Willie Mays (15), Jackie Robinson (12), Jeter (11), Cal Ripken (nine), Ken Griffey Jr. (eight), Nolan Ryan (eight), Roberto Clemente (eight), Ted Williams (seven), and Joe DiMaggio (seven) all received more than five votes.

“With the passing of time, Babe Ruth remains one of sport’s most enduring athletes,” said Eric Schwarz, professor of sport business at Saint Leo University. “Even with his impending retirement, Jeter, as captain of the most storied franchise in MLB history, has been one of the most popular current players for some time,” commented Schwarz.

Nearly half of all people (47 percent), say they are very (20 percent) or somewhat (27 percent) interested in following Major League Baseball. This includes 57 percent of men and 39 percent of women.

“I was surprised looking at the male results. A quarter of people said they were not interested, and it’s America’s pastime. I find that fascinating,” continued Schwarz. “I also don’t find it totally surprising since the NFL, and even NASCAR, has surpassed MLB as the most watched sport,” he added.

Despite steps taken by Major League Baseball to clean up the use of steroids in the league, fans continue to have concerns and doubts. Sixty-two percent of people say they are very (28 percent) or somewhat (34 percent) concerned about steroid use by professional baseball players. Nineteen percent report they are “not at all” concerned about steroid use. Seventy-five percent say the use of steroids has either increased (30 percent) or stayed about the same (35 percent) in the past five years.

Below are selected questions and responses.

Question: The Major League Baseball season is about to begin. How interested are you in following Major League Baseball? Would you say very interested, somewhat interested, somewhat uninterested, or not at all interested?

Question: Do you think Major League Baseball players are paid more than they are worth, are paid about what they are worth, or are paid less than they are worth?

Question: How concerned are you about the use of steroids of other performance-enhancing drugs by professional baseball players? Would you say you are very concerned, somewhat concerned, somewhat unconcerned, or not at all concerned?

Question: Compared to five years ago, do you think the use of steroids or other banned performance enhancing drugs by Major League Baseball players has increased, stayed about the same, or decreased?

Question: Who is your favorite current major league baseball player?

01     Name one player only: ____________________

02     Not sure / don’t know

• Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees was cited most often as people’s favorite baseball player, named by 39 respondents (unprompted) in our survey. David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox (11 mentions) and Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers (nine mentions) placed second and third, respectively. Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves, six), Alex Rodriguez (Yankees, five), Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies, five), Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox, five), Justin Verlander (Tigers, five) also all received at least five mentions.

Question: Who is your favorite all-time major league baseball player?

01     Name one player only: ____________________

02     Not sure / don’t know

• Babe Ruth was cited most often as people’s favorite all-time player, named by 29 respondents in our unprompted, open-end survey. Hank Aaron (21 votes), Mickey Mantle (17), Willie Mays (15), Jackie Robinson (12), Jeter (11), Cal Ripken (nine), Ken Griffey Jr (eight), Nolan Ryan (eight), Roberto Clemente (eight), Ted Williams (seven), and Joe DiMaggio (seven) all received more than five votes.

About the Saint Leo University Polling Institute/Methodology

The data is derived from a national poll of 1,009 people conducted by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute between March 16 and 18, 2014. The margin of error is approximately three percent +/- with a 95 percent confidence level.

To view the Florida political and policy results, including methodology, visit the polling institute’s website, http://polls.saintleo.edu. You can also follow the institute on Twitter @saintleopolls. Saint Leo’s main website is www.saintleo.edu

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute conducts its surveys using cutting-edge online methodology, which is rapidly transforming the field of survey research. Sample is drawn from large online panels, which allow for random selections that reflect accurate cross sections of all demographic groups. Online methodology has the additional advantages of allowing participants to respond to the survey at a time, place, and speed that is convenient to them, which may result in more thoughtful answers. The Saint Leo University Polling Institute develops the questionnaires, administers the surveys, and conducts analysis of the results. Panel participants typically receive a token incentive – usually 50 cents deposited into an iTunes or Amazon account – for their participation. The institute’s executive director is Dr. Andrew (Drew) Gold, associate professor of management at Saint Leo University.