If you were commissioner of MLB, what changes would you make to the game?

Answer 1

The commissioner of MLB is basically a figurehead. The Players Union runs the show. At this point the owners have surrendered so much control, they probably have to get approval to change the recipe for the hot dogs.

But given the authority to change anything:

* Outlaw Astroturf
* Each team sets aside 30 minutes for half their roster to sign autographs before the game for anyone under 18.
* Salary FLOOR and CAP.
* ALL players (not just Americans) are subject to the draft. It is unfair that a hard-throwing kid someplace in Iowa gets screwed while a hard-throwing kid in Cuba can sign for millions.
* Demolish the Metrodome. Sorry, something that ugly cannot be permitted to live.
* Demolish Tropicana Field. I don't know what sport it was built FOR, but it clearly isn't baseball.

Answer 2

No more DH. That would be first and foremost.

My other change is much more wide ranging. From the current major leagues I would form two divisions, the Major Leagues and the Cellar Dwellers. 20 teams would make up the Major Leagues and would still be divided into the National and American Leagues. All interleague play would be stopped before the World Series. The bottom 10 teams would be demoted to the Cellar Dwellers and would all play in one league. The two teams at the bottom of each Major League would be dropped into the Cellar Dwellers to be replaced by the top four teams of that league, two assigned to each Major League (trying to keep teams in their historic league. Their would be a salary cap for all teams, however there would also be a salary floor as well, violating either would result in demotion to the Cellar Dwellers or the inability to move up at the end of the year.

Answer 3

The idea of the Designated Hitter was originally called the Designated Pinch-Hitter. I would return it to that concept,
tying the hitter to the starting pitcher. When the starting pitcher was removed, you would need to replace the DH with a new batter. If the pitcher was changed again before the next time the DH position came up in the batting order, you would then replace the DH again.

This way you would get the strategy of the National League and the additional offense of the American League.

I do believe this would force the managers to make fewer pitching changes.

Answer 4

Rule #1 - Mandatory, random drug testing. This would illeviate all performance enhancing drugs from the MLB, for good. Players would have 2 months to get clean before the tests took place. Anyone failing the tests after the two months would be dealt with by harsher suspension rules to be determined later.

Rule #2 - Lower the salary cap and/or institute revenue sharing so that teams will be much more balanced. This would increase competition and, eventually, increase profit for all teams, at which point the cap could gradually be raised.

Rule #3 - Balance the teams between the American and National league and increase the number of interleague games played. Every week four teams would play interleague games (2 per league), four and three series games, respectively. It would alternate each week for the teams, with the focus being on rivalries. There would be one solid month of nothing but interleague play, but it would be division oriented (ie AL east vs NL east, AL west vs NL west, etc) to again increase rivalries, and thusly revenue.

Rule #4 - Increase the number of minor league teams and set salary caps per class. This should allow very small markets to afford teams and increase fan interest nationwide. It would also make higher classes much more competitive and interesting.

Rule #5 - Mandate a minimum amount of time a player must play in a minor league system before moving up. Preferably, one full season of their call up date.

Rule #6 - Rule #5 is not in effect for call downs.

Rule #7 - MLB standardized and mandated healthy physicals for all players. In addition, MLB sanctioned phyiscals for players coming off injuries and surgeries. Hopefully, this would allow for more healing time and keep players in the game longer and healthier. It keeps them from comign back from injury too soon.

Rule #8 - No asterisks in the HOF. Everyone prior to my commission would be given a clean slate, unless, of course, they were already proven cheaters, like Palmiero. Guys like Bonds and McGwire would be Hall of Famers unless proven cheaters before my commission. After all, there is a history of cheating in the MLB, and you can never truly know for sure who did and didn't unless they're caught. Pitchers used to use spitballs, grease, tar, and all sorts of tricks to give them an advantage, and hitters used corked bats and the like, for years upon years. What if Roger Maris used cork? No one would ever truly know.

Rule #9 - Pete Rose would be allowed in the HOF because of what he did as a player on the field, not off the field or as a manager.

Rule #10 - No minor league teams in cities with major league teams, not even NYC or Los Angeles. States with multiple teams would be considered first when thinking of teams being sent to other places across the country. Charlotte, Las Vegas, Louiseville and Indianpolis are all in dire need of an MLB team.

^ btw, that rule about fans attending games voting for the all stars is great. I'd also make a minimum games played rule for nominations.

Answer 5

Salary Cap or better revenue sharing rules.
I would also make it impossible for a DH or a pitcher to win MVP. I would also take out the rule that every team needs to be represented in the all star game. I would let the fans pick maybe 5 all star players the rest should be voted on by writers, players, managers, coaches and scouts. I would also force ESPN to hire Reynolds back and no longer allow Joe Buck or Joe Morgan to announce ballgames, matter of fact, not Joes announcing at all. I would also make a rule that the Cubs are not allowed to have a winning season......what, that's already a rule, oh. Last, but not least. NO DOMES NO ASTROTURF

Answer 6

Repeal the mind-shatteringly idiotic rule about home field advantage in the World Series being dependent on the league that wins the All-Star game. It is deplorable that one team might be put at a disadvantage in the WS because a bunch of all-star reserves decide the outcome of the ASG in the late innings who in all likelihood don't even play for the final two teams in the postseason.

Answer 7

#1 is SALARY CAP of say $100 million. ALL teams can afford this even in the smallest markets. You buy a ball club you can afford the $100 mil period. Some of the unfortunate huge stars may have to get along on 'only' $5 mil per year and some of the .250 hitters or pitchers w/era's of 5.67+ or 14 hits per 9 innings may have to struggle along at $500K. The cap will even the playing field big time AND increase loyalty (remember that?)

#2 definitely mandatory and regular drug and ALCOHOL tests. the level of play is much greater when the players have their heads on straight... 1st offense mandatory treatment and 90day suspension WITHOUT PAY. 2nd offense a 1 year suspension without pay and 3rd offense 1 year and so on...

Answer 8

* Set Division series to best of 7 games

* Mandatory weekly drug tests on random days of the week performed by doctors approved by myself.

* Penalty for failing one of these drug tests is a 162 game suspension, first offense. Second offense is 324 games. Third offense is life time suspension.

* Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Giambi, and whoever else used steroids will be excluded from any future Hall of Fame ballots. Any single season or career records they have set will be struck from the record books.

* Pete Rose inducted into the Hall of Fame.

* Domed stadiums and astro turf will have 10 years to be renovated to open-air stadiums with natural grass.

* Instate the DH rule in the National League.

* Salary cap of $100 Million, as of right now there are only 5 teams that are over this, the New York Yankees at nearly double.

Answer 9

I'd get rid of the DH in the American League. I would also do away with the wildcard and give the best record a bye in the 1st round of Playoffs and make the Playoffs all 7 games.

Answer 10

Get rid of the DH, The team with the best record has home field advantage in the WS,reinstate Pete Rose,only the fans attending games get to vote for the all-stars,put instant replay in for all call that are not consider judgement calls(fair,foul,homeruns,interference,)