Every year right around the MLB all-star game; it starts. People start saying “Why is so much emphasis put on an exhibition game? " It used to be a “for-fun game,” where all the best players got together and showed off their talent.
So when you see Josh Hamilton get voted into the All-Star game this year as a starter, you know the best players are not being put out on the field for a game that decides home-field advantage in the World Series. Hamilton has had two trips to the DL this season and in the 40 games he played, he batted .248 with just six home-runs.
Home-field advantage since 2003 as we know has been determined by the winner of the all-star game (the American League has won each All-Star game since then). Even prior to 2003, the way home-field advantage was decided, wasn’t great. It was decided by every other year the other league got the advantage in the World Series.
The World-Series/ the best-of-seven game series that decides the best team in all of baseball, could ultimately be decided by an exhibition game played in mid-July. Which seems ridiculous…. You might as well base everything off of the Home-run derby…. So is there a better way to decide home-field advantage in the World-Series?
Here's the solution.
It’s quite simple, home-field advantage should be decided by….. the overall league records in interleague play….
Each team from both leagues play 18 total interleague games, three home series and three away series. Each team plays nine games with a DH and nine games with a pitcher. There is no advantage for either league.
The league awarded with home-field advantage would have to prove itself in a 252 game interleague series. Whichever league would have a better record against the other league would be rewarded home-field advantage.
Many people may argue that the team with the overall better record should get home-field advantage, just like in the NBA. But when u have a team that plays in a easy division and just rolls over the easy competition, their record will look a lot more impressive then a team that is good in a very competitive division. This would be better than the current system but the competition is just not the same in each league. Thats why comparing the overall records for the leagues in interleague play would work best.
This way ultimately the better league will have proven itself and be given what it truly deserves, home-field advantage in the World Series.
i don't know dude. It's a much better solution than the all-star game. But a lot of people will argue that interleague play means nothing as well, and would be just as angry if the MLB made it that important.
ReplyDeletei don't understand why baseball needed to change the system. I'm a believer in the whole overall record deciding who had homefield advantage. That's just my opinion
Good idea. Can't think why it doesn't make sense. Though, I like that the All-star game means something. Gives you a reason to watch. Otherwise, it becomes the equivalent of the NFL Pro Bowl. BORING.
ReplyDeleteI just want to point out the fact that the AL has won the interleague record battle every year since 2003 so....it doesn't make a difference. And Josh Hamilton was on the AL team, meaning he should be a handicap for them, no? Yet they still won...
ReplyDeleteKeep it as is. The NL sucks either way. Besides, when was the last time the World Series went to 7 games so that home field advantage even mattered? 2002 - BEFORE the All-star game decided anything.
So far, the All-star game still has meant nothing.