Baseball's Big Mess

If you've read one post on this blog, you know that I am a baseball fan. Back in '94, I became frustrated with the establishment — both owners and players — because of the sickening strike. I didn't really have a problem with the scab players, either. I thought the greed to be immense. Another problem I have with the so–called unbalanced schedule is that teams in the same division play each other 19 times in a season. That's too many games against one team. But, I digress.


Could these guys have handled an early season double header in Kansas City?

Let's make those 19 games become an advantage in baseball. Let's use those 19 games on fewer than 19 dates. Say the Tigers have to play the Royals, Indians, Twins, and White Sox 19 times each. That's 76 games ... almost half of the season. Chances are good that several of those games are on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. My proposal is simple: schedule two double headers against each of a team's division rivals. Theoretically, you could then play those 19 games in 17 dates. If you did that against four teams, you would play those 76 games in 68 dates. You would open up eight days on the season, so you could finish the baseball season with games ending on September 20 — whether that's a Sunday or Wednesday. Playoffs could then start on September 22 or 23.


What would Ernie say?

You might not want to stop with eight double headers, maybe you want to see 10. You could play some businessmen's specials on Thursdays beginning at noon, or earlier. You could have several Saturday or Sunday twinbills. You wouldn't have to charge for both games; instead, you could pretend it's 1984 all over and play two for the price of one.

This jive with baseball games being played on October 28 in a torrential downpour is ridiculous, not to mention a total embarrassment to baseball. Baseball has come a long, long way since the strike of '94. Furthermore, the owners and Mr. Selig are making money hands over fist. Things are swell, so the teams don't need to sell the extra tickets. Double headers and an earlier end to the season make total sense.

Baseball should be done by October 15. How can we make this happen.


Let's bring the World Series back to the Motor City, but let's finish before Oct. 16!


It's a great game!