In yet another column questioning Bud Selig’s use of the All-Star game to determine homefield advantage for the World Series, I recently proposed that it would be far better, fairer and more sensible to make that determination by results of interleague play. The champion of the league with the better record would get the extra game in the World Series.

Some readers wrote applauding that idea. Some didn’t like it. No one wrote defending baseball’s use of the All-Star game.

“AMEN!” one reader said. “I am disappointed that more baseball writers don’t write about this. When Bud’s plan was first announced, I thought it was ridiculous. Interleague play to determine home field advantage is the obvious solution.

“It also makes sense in terms of promotion. It is something which fans can follow all year and would generate more interest among baseball fans.”

From another reader:

Keep reading...

Let the guessing game begin, though it won’t last nearly as long as its predecessor. Nothing could last that long, unless it’s Commissioner Bud Selig’s painful delay on his Athletics-to-San Jose decision.

That the guessing games I’m talking about involve the same Commissioner Selig should come as no surprise. Selig, a self-proclaimed history buff, has his own historical nature. The part I’m talking about here is his history as it relates to his job.

Selig, who announced last week that he will retire after one more season, took nearly six years to tell the owners, “All right already, stop twisting my arm; I’ll take the job,” even though everyone knew he had the job, wanted the job and would not relinquish it.

The owners wanted Selig to …

Keep reading...

Who invited the Cleveland Indians to the post-season party?

Apparently no one. It seems that the Indians are just a band of party crashers, barging through the door when no one was looking.

Three games from the second wild-card spot at the All-Star break, the Indians unexpectedly and stubbornly clung close the rest of the season until they snatched the second spot from Texas Sept. 20 and dislodged Tampa Bay from the top spot Saturday.

A 10th straight victory Sunday enabled them to avoid a three-team wild-card playoff for the two wild-card spots and gave them a 92-70 record, only a game behind American League Central champion Detroit.

But the Indians’ furious finish created the possibility of another intriguing development …

Keep reading...