06-11-2004, 04:07 AM
Frankly, they need to stop treating interleague play like it's more exhibition rather than part of the regular season.
Taking the Yankees (for example), wouldn't it be easier to simply schedule a series against the Giants/Dodgers/Padres at the beginning of the season, when the team usually makes its long west coast trip to play Seattle, Anaheim and Oakland? They're already scheduled to be out there, so why make them return in mid-June to play another team (this year, two: Arizona and LA) for one set, and then have to return east?
Treat it like the NFL: one season (hell, I think it was as recent as last year), the Dallas Cowboys (NFC) played the Giants (NFC), then played the Jets (AFC) the following week. It made sense logistically because it's easy on the team's schedule. Less worry about fatigue, travel delays, etc.
The only thing that needs to be considered is the DH-- either make it de facto for both leagues already, or (following Edgar Martinez' retirement, since he is the last pure DH), make the pitcher hit in both leagues. I don't care, pick one rule and stick with it.
Also, because of the unbalanced schedule, interleague play (except against the designated "rival"-- in this case, the Mets) does not include home-and-home sets. Last year, much was made about the Yanks being in Wrigley Field for the first time since 1938. Well, how about those of us who wanted to see Sammy Sosa swinging in Yankee Stadium? Didn't happen. And because the Yanks are facing the NL West now, it won't happen for a few more years, at least, barring a World Series matchup.
Taking the Yankees (for example), wouldn't it be easier to simply schedule a series against the Giants/Dodgers/Padres at the beginning of the season, when the team usually makes its long west coast trip to play Seattle, Anaheim and Oakland? They're already scheduled to be out there, so why make them return in mid-June to play another team (this year, two: Arizona and LA) for one set, and then have to return east?
Treat it like the NFL: one season (hell, I think it was as recent as last year), the Dallas Cowboys (NFC) played the Giants (NFC), then played the Jets (AFC) the following week. It made sense logistically because it's easy on the team's schedule. Less worry about fatigue, travel delays, etc.
The only thing that needs to be considered is the DH-- either make it de facto for both leagues already, or (following Edgar Martinez' retirement, since he is the last pure DH), make the pitcher hit in both leagues. I don't care, pick one rule and stick with it.
Also, because of the unbalanced schedule, interleague play (except against the designated "rival"-- in this case, the Mets) does not include home-and-home sets. Last year, much was made about the Yanks being in Wrigley Field for the first time since 1938. Well, how about those of us who wanted to see Sammy Sosa swinging in Yankee Stadium? Didn't happen. And because the Yanks are facing the NL West now, it won't happen for a few more years, at least, barring a World Series matchup.
<center><IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/darkmoonchild23/images/the_brain_magnet.jpg" alt="Are you pondering what I'm pondering?" height=250 width=250></center><br />
<br />
<marquee behavior=alternate> <A href="mailto:[email protected]"><center><i>"ARE YOU PONDERING WHAT I'M PONDERING?"</i></center></a></marquee><br /><a href="aim:goim?ScreenName=DarkMoonchild23&Message=NARF!!!!!"><center>I think so, Brain...</center></a><br /><i><font color=4e4e4e>I'll conquer the world long before Kingpin ever finds "Pinky"</i></font><br /><font color=white><b><i>Now, I must return to the Lab to prepare for tomorrow night...</b></i></font><font color=4d4d4d size=-5>
<br />
<marquee behavior=alternate> <A href="mailto:[email protected]"><center><i>"ARE YOU PONDERING WHAT I'M PONDERING?"</i></center></a></marquee><br /><a href="aim:goim?ScreenName=DarkMoonchild23&Message=NARF!!!!!"><center>I think so, Brain...</center></a><br /><i><font color=4e4e4e>I'll conquer the world long before Kingpin ever finds "Pinky"</i></font><br /><font color=white><b><i>Now, I must return to the Lab to prepare for tomorrow night...</b></i></font><font color=4d4d4d size=-5>