NEW YORK (AP)—Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball’s postseason: Make the first round best-of-one.
“I’d make it one-game-and-you’re-out for the first series,” the Oakland Athletics owner said Wednesday. “It would be exciting. It would be great.”
Begun in 1995, the division series has been a best-of-five competition. Some people have advocated it be expanded to best-of-seven, matching the league championship series and the World Series. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has repeatedly said he favors the current format.
Wolff said he hasn’t brought up his concept with Selig.
“No, I’m afraid to do that,” he said.
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This is one I haven't heard. I've heard plenty of advocates who wish to expand the LDS to seven games to match the LCS, but this is the first time I've heard someone suggest a single "Win or Go Home" game for the first round. Maybe as an A's fan, Wolff thinks that having a five-game series just prolongs the agony of the eventual Game 5, and we should get it out of the way before fans become invested in the series. Or maybe Wolff was just kidding.
Nevertheless, as the potential 2009 World Series Game Seven on November 5th looms closer, no doubt baseball is rooting for some West Coast teams this season, if for no other reason, than to postpone a decision. Because something might need to be done about the playoff schedule.
But what? Are the playoffs fine the way they are? Are they too long? Too short to really pick "the best" team? Should the season be shortened to accomodate the playoffs? Do the playoffs allow for too many days off?
Discuss.
