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Official MLB Press Release On 2012 Postseason Format

Posted by on 4 March 2012, 9:03 pm

03/02/2012 2:11 PM EST

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MLB Adopts Expanded Format for 2012 Postseason

Two Additional Wild Cards Will Form 10-Team Postseason in 2012, Marking First Change to Postseason Format Since 1994

The 2012 Postseason will feature a 10-team format that includes two additional Wild Card Clubs and an elimination game in each League prior to the Division Series, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today.

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association agreed to the changes to the new Postseason format as a part of last year’s collective bargaining. The new Basic Agreement, announced on November 22nd, provided that MLB and the MLBPA would expand the Postseason no later than 2013; that a second Wild Card would be awarded in both the American League and the National League; and that a single Postseason game would be played between each League’s two Wild Card Clubs, with each winner advancing to compete among the three division champions from each League in the Division Series. Following further discussions to address player concerns, the parties agreed that the new format would be used in 2012.

The change, which was endorsed by the Commissioner’s 14-member Special Committee for On-Field Matters, marks the first amendment to the Postseason since MLB adopted the six-division, eight-team Postseason structure in January of 1994. The first Postseason to be played under that format occurred in 1995.

Commissioner Selig said: “I greatly appreciate the MLBPA’s cooperation in putting the new Postseason format in place this year. The enthusiasm for the 10-team structure among our Clubs, fans and partners has been overwhelming. This change increases the rewards of a division championship and allows two additional markets to experience playoff baseball each year, all while maintaining the most exclusive Postseason in professional sports.”

Michael Weiner, the Executive Director of the MLBPA, said: “The players are eager to begin playing under this new format in 2012 and they look forward to moving to full realignment in 2013. Our negotiating committee and the owners’ representatives worked hard to develop a schedule that should make for fairer competition and provide our fans with a very exciting season.” Continue reading ‘Official MLB Press Release On 2012 Postseason Format’ »

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MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement: 9 Changes You Will Want To Know

Posted by on 27 November 2011, 9:16 pm

In efforts to avoid what didn’t happen in 1994, as well as avoiding the path the NBA took, MLB and the MLB Players Association took the bull by the horns to avoid letting the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expire on December 11, 2011.

And that hard work has paid off, as MLB has a new (CBA) that lasts through 2016. This translates into nonstop play for the next 5 seasons, which makes it the longest agreement deal in history.

So, what changes in the new CBA would the everyday baseball fan want to know?

After reading about the new CBA, here are 9 points that a typical baseball fan might want to take note of:

 

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NL MVP To Ryan Braun Screw You Matt Kemp

Posted by on 23 November 2011, 12:07 am

The BBWAAvoters really screwed up this time.

Ryan Braun

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I mean the AL MVP debate was at least passable, but everybody knew who the NL MVP for the 2011 season was going to be.

It would seem that the BBWAA’s blunders are coming from letting their wishes interpret all duties by having an open mind.

It was Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp, but he came in second and not a close one either to Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun.

Let me make it clear, that Braun was undoubtedly worthy of being involved in the 2011 MVP discussions and right till the end too.

The problem is Kemp’s regular season numbers were undeniably atop of the NL; and it is a travesty he didn’t win the award.

Still, there is no reason to not give huge congratulations to Ryan Braun, who had a spectacular 2011 season in Milwaukee.

Here is the 2011 NL MVP voting results: Continue reading ‘NL MVP To Ryan Braun Screw You Matt Kemp’ »

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2011 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards Winners Announced

Posted by on 2 November 2011, 3:17 am

The 2011 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards winners were announced and here are the recipients:

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the 2011 Gold Glove Winners!

 

 

 

 

Don’t think I didn’t notice that not one New York Yankee won a Gold Glove for the 2011 season, which makes this award lose a lot credibility, as the results seem awfully lopsided.

I will broach this subject in my next post, as how can the AL team with the best record not get at least one nod.

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MLB: 2011 Comeback Players Of The Year Award Winners

Posted by on 15 October 2011, 3:16 am
Jacoby Ellsbury 01:32, 23 July 2008 . . Phredd...

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MLB announced that Red Sox’s Jacoby Ellsbury (AL) and Cardinals Lance Berkman (NL) as the winners of the 2011 Comeback Player of The Year Awards.

LANCE BERKMAN:

Berkman would have gotten my vote as his career looked to be in the toilet the moment he got traded from the Astros to the Yankees.

Berkman was useless in the Bronx, maybe being a two-month rental and not playing in the field hurt his routine because he is thriving in St. Louis.

In 2011, Berkman was voted to the All-Star team after hitting 31 home-runs, 94 RBIs, 92 walks and posting a .301 batting average. He is certainly in the 2011 MVP discussion and should get some votes, but it is doubtful he will win.

Still, it is a far cry from the Berkman of 2010 so the award is well deserved.

JACOBY ELLSBURY:

I do not feel the same way about Ellsbury, who only played 18 games in 2010 because of an injury.

Also, what exactly is Ellsbury coming back from?

He put up the best numbers of his five-year career in 2011, with 32 home-runs and 105 RBIs. In the four years earlier, Ellsbury hit 20 homers and drove in 125 RBIs in total.

Ellsbury’s 364 total bases was the highest number across both leagues this season, but it was another career best for the just turned 28-year-old outfielder.

Doesn’t this seem more like a first-time than a comeback for such a young player with just five seasons under his belt?

Where was the love for Yankees Bartolo Colon? Continue reading ‘MLB: 2011 Comeback Players Of The Year Award Winners’ »

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New York Yankees Fans Are You Ready For Some Baseball

Posted by on 28 September 2011, 2:31 pm
Bench-clearing brawl on June 5, 2008 game betw...

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Tonight baseball nation will be watching, as four teams will be battling but not against each other for the last two coveted Wild Card postseason spots.

In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays (90-71) are tied with the Boston Red Sox (90-71) so if both teams win or lose there will be a sudden death game played tomorrow between these to AL East powerhouses.

Same scenario in the National League, as the Atlanta Braves (89-72) and St. Louis Cardinals (89-72) are both striving to clinch a playoff berth tonight, but if tied the two will also duel it out against each other tomorrow to determine the winner.

This is about as good as it gets for baseball fans, and if you have any friends who are on the fence about loving America’s Pastime this would be the night to make sure they are tuned in.

Here is the TV schedule for tonight’s match-ups courtesy of MLB.com (EST listed):

Wed, Sep 28 7:05 pm Boston Red Sox Baltimore Orioles ESPN
Wed, Sep 28 7:10 pm Philadelphia Phillies Atlanta Braves

ESPN2
Wed, Sep 28 7:10 pm New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays ESPN
Wed, Sep 28 8:05 pm St. Louis Cardinals Houston Astros ESPN2

As the best athlete of out generation once said:

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordon

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MLB: Interleague Play Debate Continues

Posted by on 20 June 2011, 1:07 am

There has been a continuing debate between media, fans, players etc. whether MLB should change the rules that apply during Interleague Play about the Designated Hitter and strength of schedule.

Just in case let’s look at the factors:

What is interleague play?

Interleague play is a Major League Baseball term that indicates when regular season games are played between teams that live in different leagues, so American League Teams play National League Teams.

  • Started in 1997 but was limited to divisions playing their counterparts in the opposite league only. (i.e. AL West vs. NL West; flip-flopping home field site)
  • Five seasons later, in 2002 the rules expanded which allowed for the divisions to rotate playing each other. This meant that one year the NL West would play the AL Central teams, the next year the AL East and then the AL West.
  • All interleague games are played in June, but the scattered series between cities with more than one team. (i.e. Chicago, New York, Los Angeles etc.).
  • The rules used during Interleague regular season games are the same as the World Series and the All-Star game that is, the home team’s league rules apply. So, when an AL team visits an NL Stadium, there is no designated hitter and the pitcher bats, as National League rules dictate.
  • The scheduling for Interleague Series is very unbalanced due to the unbalanced in the two leagues, with 14 in the AL and 16 in the NL; and the inter-city rivalries each are featured to play six games (or two series) against each other.

What is the Interleague Play debates or biggest complaints?

There are two issues that are complained about year after year, but both are relevant and have legit reasoning on either end:

1) The scheduling is very unfair, as it is lopsided. ESPN reporter Jayson Stark sums up the scheduling issues, which are quite complicated in an article written called Interleague play’s greatest problem. It has to do with the AL West having just four teams and the NL Central having six ball-clubs; as well as making sure city’s with two teams, in opposite leagues play each other six times for fans, which makes sense.

2) The rule that AL teams cannot a DH in NL stadiums, which in turn means the pitcher has to bat. It makes injuries are a major concern because AL pitchers do not take BP (batting practice) and are not used to running the bases, something NL pitchers are accustomed too. The All-Star Game and the World Series play by the rules of the hosting team, so why should Interleague Play be any different?

What is your opinion on Interleague Play?

Do you think it should stay as is, or that changes need to be made?

Should the DH be implemented in National League Parks during Interleague games? Basically, should AL rules be used across the board?

Should MLB Commissioner move one of the NL Central teams into the AL West? Or what is the alternative to keeping it unbalanced?

Opinions From Around The League:

Mark Gonzales of Chicago Tribune reported that White Sox slugger Adam Dunn had this to say about Interleague Play:

“It does suck, yes. But that’s another reason why I’m anti-interleague. It’s not fun … The interleague thing is just awful. It just ruins everything. Especially if you look at Boston. People like Ortiz. He’s having a great year, but now he’s going to have to sit a couple of games and screw up the mojo.”

Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland made his opinion clear to Tom Gage of the Detroit Free Press:

“It has run its course. I just don’t like it. First of all, at some point we have to get baseball back to the same set of rules. I don’t know why more people don’t talk about it. No other sport plays different rules (regarding the DH). I don’t care what they do. Whatever way they go is fine with me, but the rules should be the same.”

 

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