Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad K
The World Series starts Friday with the world championship to be decided in a seven game series between the two best teams in baseball... er... ahhh... 5th best team in the AL and 6th best team in the NL. Imagine the thrill of watching what should be the also ran consolation series.
Of course, the wise people who run baseball anticipated both the wannabees would be eliminated much earlier. After all, they're junk teams and on top of that the league stacked the deck against them.
They had to play an extra round while the really good teams with the really good players that fans really wanted to see got byes. (What type of business takes their best product off the shelf and tries to sell people something else?) But having to play an extra round and having to play on the road didn't do it. Just as it hasn't in the past. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
Its been known for decades that the better team has only a slight advantage in a seven game series; a near negligible one in shorter ones. And having the weaker teams play on the road and face high seeded teams doesn't change that much.
Additionally it was assumed byes would help the top seeds. But maybe not. Maybe they come back flat after a few days off. Their consistent absence from the later rounds could lead to that conclusion.
But think of the excitement! While star players on three 100+ win teams are sitting at home, we'll be able to watch a couple near second division clubs (does anyone remember that term?) with an average of 87 wins battle it out for the "world championship."
There is one bright spot though. Remember the DH? The player who was to bring more offense to the game? At least with the Phillies out we won't have to see a DH who is hitting below the Mendoza Line for $20 million a year.
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I am reminded by a quote from Herm Edwards....you know it.