Major League Baseball has decided to dramatically change its October look, and not for the better.
The playoffs will be expanded by two teams as early as next year. That means one-third of baseball's 30 teams will make the postseason, in what feels like another Yankees-Red Sox exception.
The first Yankee-Sox playoff exception states if the team with the best overall record and the wild-card team are from the same division, the wild card team will face the team with the second-best record.
Since Boston has been absent from the last two postseasons, and New York was left out four years ago, a fifth playoff team appears they are getting a backdoor playoff admittance. If a fifth playoff spot existed, the Red Sox, and their rabid fans, would have watched at least one game in October.
Ensuring more big market teams make the playoffs isn't the whole story.
Commissioner Bud Selig and Co. are trying to fix the September problem that many division pennant races, particularly in the AL East, lack drama because both teams are resting up for October.
In order to put the premium on winning a division title, MLB is only further watering down its laborious 162-game season.
This past year, the additional wild-card teams would have meant the most exciting night of baseball in years wouldn't have mattered. All teams would have lived another day.
"You don't do things for one year. You do things for a long period of time," Selig said.
Rewarding mediocrity is not going to help over the years.
Under the expanded playoffs, it will happen that a 97-win wild card team is going to lose to a team that finishes seven to eight games behind them.
Playoffs ought to reward the best teams, and expanding the postseason will do just the opposite.
MLB is breaking something that isn't broke.
Showing posts with label NY Yankees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NY Yankees. Show all posts
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A Not So Wild Idea
In what will likely go down as one of the wildest endings to a regular season ever, two teams popped champagne, while two picked up the pieces from their epic September collapses.
It all transpired simultaneously, in minutes, and much like March Madness was spectacular nail biting drama.
And to think it could all be naught if MLB gets its way and adds another wild-card. Before we get there here's how it played out in real time:
9:56 p.m. (EDT): Atlanta Braves rookie sensation Craig Kimbrel wilts under the pressure. Three walks to Phillie batters results in a game-tying sac fly from Chase Utley. Free baseball in Hotlanta.
10:23: Evan Longoria caps a six run inning with one swing of the bat. His three-run homer cuts the New York Yankees seven-run lead to one.
10:26: The St. Louis Cardinals finish off a 8-0 thrashing of the Houston Astros and tune into to watch the Braves games.
10:47: Tampa's down to its last strike, when Dan Johnson (batting .108) smacks a pinch-hit game-tying home run. The Rays are heading to extra innings.
10:58: The Boston Red Sox resume their game against the Orioles after a popup Baltimore thunderstorm.
11:17: BoSox's Carl Crawford, who hasn't lived up to his mega contract, doubles, but Macro Scutaro hesitates as he runs to third and is gunned out at the plate. Red Sox still lead 3-2, but an insurance run is lost.
11:28: Philly's Hunter Pence squibs a broken-bat single in the unlucky 13th inning in Atlanta. Phillies lead 4-3.
11:40: At the start of September, Atlanta led the NL wild-card by 8 1/2 games. Braves Freddie Freeman grounds into a double play. Game over, season over -- St. Louis is October bound.
11:59: Orioles Nolan Reimold is down to his last strike, but ties the game with the second of back-to-back doubles off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.
12:02: The wheels fall off in Baltimore. O's Robert Andino smacks a single to left field. Crawford can't make the sliding grab and his throw to the plate is off the mark. Red Sox await their fate that hinges in St. Petersburg.
12:05: Tampa's Evan Longoria hits another home run just feet from the foul pole that just clears the fence. Tampa Bay completes two improbable comebacks -- winning 8-7 after trailing 7-0 and catching Boston in the standings who once held a 9 game wild-card lead on Sept. 3.
9:56 p.m. (EDT): Atlanta Braves rookie sensation Craig Kimbrel wilts under the pressure. Three walks to Phillie batters results in a game-tying sac fly from Chase Utley. Free baseball in Hotlanta.
10:23: Evan Longoria caps a six run inning with one swing of the bat. His three-run homer cuts the New York Yankees seven-run lead to one.
10:26: The St. Louis Cardinals finish off a 8-0 thrashing of the Houston Astros and tune into to watch the Braves games.
10:47: Tampa's down to its last strike, when Dan Johnson (batting .108) smacks a pinch-hit game-tying home run. The Rays are heading to extra innings.
10:58: The Boston Red Sox resume their game against the Orioles after a popup Baltimore thunderstorm.
11:17: BoSox's Carl Crawford, who hasn't lived up to his mega contract, doubles, but Macro Scutaro hesitates as he runs to third and is gunned out at the plate. Red Sox still lead 3-2, but an insurance run is lost.
11:28: Philly's Hunter Pence squibs a broken-bat single in the unlucky 13th inning in Atlanta. Phillies lead 4-3.
11:40: At the start of September, Atlanta led the NL wild-card by 8 1/2 games. Braves Freddie Freeman grounds into a double play. Game over, season over -- St. Louis is October bound.
11:59: Orioles Nolan Reimold is down to his last strike, but ties the game with the second of back-to-back doubles off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.
12:02: The wheels fall off in Baltimore. O's Robert Andino smacks a single to left field. Crawford can't make the sliding grab and his throw to the plate is off the mark. Red Sox await their fate that hinges in St. Petersburg.
12:05: Tampa's Evan Longoria hits another home run just feet from the foul pole that just clears the fence. Tampa Bay completes two improbable comebacks -- winning 8-7 after trailing 7-0 and catching Boston in the standings who once held a 9 game wild-card lead on Sept. 3.
The Red Sox collapse was the biggest blown lead in the final month ever, and the Braves weren't too far behind.
But all of Wednesday's drama wouldn't have mattered if Bud Selig's proposed plan to add a fifth wild-card team was in effect.
All four teams vying for the final playoff spots would have mirrored the Yankees pre-playoff mode, playing the next best guy on their 40-man roster.
The idea of a second runner-up making the baseball's postseason is ludicrous. The Red Sox don't deserve another chance after a 7-20 September. Neither does a team that finishes 6 games behind the first wild-card participant (like the same Red Sox did last year in missing the playoffs).
Baseball should not be trying to emulate the NBA. The Association plays a way too long season, followed by even longer playoffs which half the teams make. What's the point?
A 162-game season is designed to reward the winners and punish the teams that don't deserve to play in October. Wednesday night proved just that.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A fond farewell
The season will likely end without much fanfare, but for one night all eyes were fixated on the Bronx Bombers.
Fittingly, 85 years after Babe Ruth opened Yankee Stadium with a victory, Marino Rivera recorded the final out. What was likely the last home run was the game winning run, a hit by No. 26 Jose Molina matching the number of championship banners brought back to the Bronx.
As the lights were turned off at the old Yankee Stadium, baseball history has once again been darkened in New York. In putting their stamp on the Yankees, the Steinbrenners traded away the richest history in professional sports for cup holders and luxury boxes.
When the new stadium opens next year it will retain the Yankee name and shape, but it be a clean slate. Gone is the storied building where Lou gave the Gettysburg Address of baseball, where Joltin' Joe and the Mick patrolled a vast center field, where Maris' 61st home run was belted and the spot where Don Larsen, David Cone and David Wells were all perfect.
When Yankee Stadium is turned into another Bronx public park, MLB will be left with just two meccas -- Wrigley and Fenway. Baseball's new wave in stadium building is refreshing, gone are the old concrete mausoleums. From coast-to-coast new baseball parks like PNC, Petco and Comerica are characters in themselves. Unfortunately, new parks have no ghosts (or demons like the Black cat).
It will soon be up to aging stars such as Jeter, Rodriguez, Rivera and Posada to write the first new memorable moments. But today, it's time to wish a fond farewell to Yankee Stadium.
For pictures of the last game at Yankee Stadium click here.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Old school baseball chastised
Yankees pitching ace Chien-Ming Wang is on the shelf for up to 10 weeks, prompting team co-chair Hank Steinbrenner to lambaste the entire National League.
“My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century,” Steinbrenner said.
What caused this angry tirade?
Well, it certainly wasn’t caused by the fact that Wang couldn’t complete the seemingly simple athletic task of the running the bases. No, the cause for yet another Steinbrenner tirade is that the N.L. is playing with a cryptic “rule from the 1800s,” that makes pitchers bat.
“This is always a concern of American League teams when their pitchers have to run the bases and they’re not used to doing it,” Steinbrenner added.
Wait a second? Not used to running? Come on Hank, please.
Not delving into details, making pitchers bear bats in the N.L. adds richness to the strategy of the game. Strategy is lost when overweight defensive liabilities get three to four whacks from the plate per game.
Sorry Hank, the N.L. doesn’t need to adopt the designated hitter rule. You should make sure your pitchers can run.
“My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century,” Steinbrenner said.
What caused this angry tirade?
Well, it certainly wasn’t caused by the fact that Wang couldn’t complete the seemingly simple athletic task of the running the bases. No, the cause for yet another Steinbrenner tirade is that the N.L. is playing with a cryptic “rule from the 1800s,” that makes pitchers bat.
“This is always a concern of American League teams when their pitchers have to run the bases and they’re not used to doing it,” Steinbrenner added.
Wait a second? Not used to running? Come on Hank, please.
Not delving into details, making pitchers bear bats in the N.L. adds richness to the strategy of the game. Strategy is lost when overweight defensive liabilities get three to four whacks from the plate per game.
Sorry Hank, the N.L. doesn’t need to adopt the designated hitter rule. You should make sure your pitchers can run.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A-Fraud Watch ‘08
One month into the new baseball season, and means its check-up time on baseball’s million dollar man, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
After last season’s prolific offense assault, Rodriguez opted out of his monstrous $252 million, 10-year deal. Of course that opt-out announcement came obnoxiously from agent Scott Boras during game 4 of the World Series. Unfortunately after giving an ultimatum the Yankees came groveling back.
Jump ahead to 2008 and A-Rod’s boosted salary in the Bronx stands at $28 million. That’s more than the his entire hometown team, the Florida Marlins who’s opening-day 33 man roster had a payroll of just $21.8 million.
So is that extra money paying off?
The Marlins have a two-game advantage over the Yankees thus far, and the men in pinstripes are sitting fourth in the AL East behind Tampa Bay and Boston.
It’s still too early to tell, but I’d say it looks like A-Fraud is making a return. Rodriguez is batting just .286, with 4 homers and a meager 11 RBIs. Oh, and he has a golden sombrero to his credit, coming against Kansas City. That stellar offensive production won’t improve any time soon with A-Rod’s sitting on the DL nursing a strained quadriceps.
Things might get worse before they get better in New York.
After last season’s prolific offense assault, Rodriguez opted out of his monstrous $252 million, 10-year deal. Of course that opt-out announcement came obnoxiously from agent Scott Boras during game 4 of the World Series. Unfortunately after giving an ultimatum the Yankees came groveling back.
Jump ahead to 2008 and A-Rod’s boosted salary in the Bronx stands at $28 million. That’s more than the his entire hometown team, the Florida Marlins who’s opening-day 33 man roster had a payroll of just $21.8 million.
So is that extra money paying off?
The Marlins have a two-game advantage over the Yankees thus far, and the men in pinstripes are sitting fourth in the AL East behind Tampa Bay and Boston.
It’s still too early to tell, but I’d say it looks like A-Fraud is making a return. Rodriguez is batting just .286, with 4 homers and a meager 11 RBIs. Oh, and he has a golden sombrero to his credit, coming against Kansas City. That stellar offensive production won’t improve any time soon with A-Rod’s sitting on the DL nursing a strained quadriceps.
Things might get worse before they get better in New York.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Reverse Curse is coming
The attempt was admirable. But a conniving Boston fan’s hard work to bury a Red Sox jersey under the new Yankee Stadium and jinx the Bronx Bombers was foiled.
The shirt was planted in a service corridor behind what will be a restaurant in the new stadium, and over the weekend construction crews dug the David Ortiz shirt up.
Yankees President Randy Levine said the team first considered leaving the shirt, but they just couldn’t let it happen. Unfortunately for Levine and the Yankees, owner George Steinbrenner is committing a more atrocious act, one that will bring a jinx to his beloved franchise.
Steinbrenner is tearing down the “House That Ruth Built,” replacing it with a $1.3 billion monstrosity that’s more than double the size. After snatching The Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth, from the Red Sox for $125,000 New York changed the landscape of baseball. Ask Boston about those 86 lean years.
In 1923, when Yankee Stadium opened it favored lefthanded power with the right-field foul pole only 295-feet from home plate. Poised to be replaced, Steinbrenner is unknowingly bringing about a Reverse Curse. You don’t tear down the Ruth’s House without penalty.
Next year when the new Yankee Stadium opens, New York will begin a 34-year drought. Why 34 years? Not only does Sox Slugger David Ortiz don 34 on a daily basis, but if you take the Yankee legends Ruth and Lou Gehrig and put their number back-to-back, 3-4, well, you get the picture.
The Reverse Curse is upon you, New York. Watch out.
The shirt was planted in a service corridor behind what will be a restaurant in the new stadium, and over the weekend construction crews dug the David Ortiz shirt up.
Yankees President Randy Levine said the team first considered leaving the shirt, but they just couldn’t let it happen. Unfortunately for Levine and the Yankees, owner George Steinbrenner is committing a more atrocious act, one that will bring a jinx to his beloved franchise.
Steinbrenner is tearing down the “House That Ruth Built,” replacing it with a $1.3 billion monstrosity that’s more than double the size. After snatching The Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth, from the Red Sox for $125,000 New York changed the landscape of baseball. Ask Boston about those 86 lean years.
In 1923, when Yankee Stadium opened it favored lefthanded power with the right-field foul pole only 295-feet from home plate. Poised to be replaced, Steinbrenner is unknowingly bringing about a Reverse Curse. You don’t tear down the Ruth’s House without penalty.
Next year when the new Yankee Stadium opens, New York will begin a 34-year drought. Why 34 years? Not only does Sox Slugger David Ortiz don 34 on a daily basis, but if you take the Yankee legends Ruth and Lou Gehrig and put their number back-to-back, 3-4, well, you get the picture.
The Reverse Curse is upon you, New York. Watch out.
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