America's Pastime Needs an Extreme Playoff Makeover

Baseball unlike any other "MAJOR" team sport in the United States has only an 8 team playoff system for both leagues and only one "wild card" team get into their playoff system per league. So this means for each league only 4 teams make the playoffs while the rest sit at home. Of course it could be worse. Before 1995 it was only the top two teams in each league with the best record. Forget each division. Yet I can't help but think that adding at least one more wild card into the mix that would solve much of baseball's money problems. Look at the other "Major" leagues in the country.

The MLS (Major League Soccer) has created a playoff system that allows for 8 of the 16 teams in the league to get into a position to win a championship. The MLS system of course is based solely on their points system, but . However, the NHL has a playoff system similar to the way the NBA's system was previously where even if you win your division you are still seeded based on record for each conference. The top 8 teams in both conferences play in the playoffs (Eastern and Western Conferences) This gives their league a total of 16 teams out of a possible 30. In the NBA it is also the same as the NHL in terms of two conferences sending 8 teams per conference to the playoffs for a total of 16 out of 30 teams in the playoffs. The way the NBA structures the playoffs is less than desirable, but they at least have it right in terms of teams in the playoffs. In the NFL it is probably the best playoff system in my opinion. You take 4 division winners from each division in each conference and then add two wild-card teams per division thus giving the NFL a total of 12 playoff teams for the entire league.

Yet why isn't baseball like this? The Texas Rangers just clinched their division and are headed to the playoffs since 1999. Currently they have a record that is equally as good as the Boston Red Sox. Yet because of the current playoff system they will be well short in the wild card race and in their own division. If there was another two wild card teams in place and a shorter series for the first round that would mean that a total of six teams per league (American and National) would be in and the teams that won their divisions would host a 3-5 game playoff series. You could either have a bye for the series for the top two, or just have teams 1-6 playing each other depending on record. Another idea would be if baseball only added one team more you still have a 3-5 game playoff and then just automatically have the team with the best record have a bye series. Yes I know baseball is a game of momentum, but who couldn't use a few days off. Typically teams play quite well coming off the all-star break so why not give the best team or teams a playoff break.


So for teams like the Reds and the Rangers who are making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade that means at least one round of extra tickets. Why not give that opportunity to another team as well? It would be great for baseball and it would certainly give us another deserving team.

In other news Jim Mora Jr. or Jim Mora II is like his Dad once said "didily poo." I refer to this because Mora the jerk on the radio today didn't seem like he wanted to comment on Michael Vick playing the Redskins this Sunday.




Maybe because Vick is playing better than any of us though and because we all know the Moras couldn't win a thing he's a little bitter! Also could it be that he is also bitter that Pete Carroll has his old job now. Since I am not necessarily one to promote the four letter sports network I'll let y'all go to the archive page for ESPN Radio and search under today's date and Jim Mora.

Maybe next week I'll have something more meaningful to talk about.