I've decided to try and take common RZ perceptions and subject them to statistical analysis. My theory about the Reds struggling to win "marathon" games was proven false-- by a wide margin, they've actually done quite well.

My latest project was to test the theory that the Reds play especially poorly in front of large crowds at the GAB. You hear this refrain several times a year from a wide range of folks here at RZ.

Here are the paramaters and what I found.

I took 2005-2008: I chose to start in 05 because I figured by then, the "newness" of the park had completely worn off and people were no longer going just to see the new digs.

I defined a "large crowd" as 30,000 or more.

Here are my findings:

2005

Overall home record: 42-39 (51.8%)
Record with large crowds: 8-5 (61.5%)

2006

Overall home record: 42-39 (51.8%)
Record with large crowds: 10-12 (45.4%)

2007

Overall home record: 39-42 (48.1%)
Record with large crowds: 12-12 (50%)

2008

Overall home record: 43-38 (53%)
Record with large crowds: 12-11 (52.1%)

Overall

Overall Record 2005-2008: 166-158 (51.2%)
Overall Record from 2005-2006 with Large Crowds: 42-40 (52.5%)

Theory.....BUSTED!