Simpson's paradox: the better hitter with the worse average
Two hitters are compared by batting average (hits / at-bats), split by the handedness of the pitcher they faced:
| vs RHP | vs LHP | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player X | 35/100 (.350) | 100/400 (.250) | 135/500 (.270) |
| Player Y | 136/400 (.340) | 24/100 (.240) | 160/500 (.320) |
X hits better against right-handers (.350 vs .340) and against left-handers (.250 vs .240), yet Y's overall average is higher (.320 vs .270).
Who is the better hitter, and explain the reversal.
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