Are there really any true cross town or regional rivalries? Other than disliking the people on the other side of the tracks, what's the point?
Isn't it better for the sport and each team in your area if fans supported multiple teams? I'm not talking season tickets here, but a lot of fans could go to a home game practically any day of the regular season.
What about the teams with no real interleague rival: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Phillies, Braves, Tigers, Mariners, Pirates, D-Backs, Rockies, Brewers, Twins, and Padres. Isn't it a waste of their time?
2007-12-19 09:58:33 · 10 answers · asked by David M 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Kris' point gets to my whole point about interleague. Other than NY, Chicago, LA, the Bay area, DC-Baltimore, Texas and Florida matchups, MLB has to stretch to make something work.
The schedule should be consistent for all teams in each division. The Cardinals get six dates with the Royals and the Cubs get six with the White Sox. Meanwhile, the Astros get six with the Rangers and the Brewers have six with the Twins?
To me it looks like these phony rivalries are giving certain teams advantages they shouldn't have. Wouldn't you rather have your team's wins count more by being a loss for somebody else in your division or league?
2007-12-19 10:57:15 · update #1
I think that interleague play was a cute little concept for a few years, it gets fans in areas that do not have the other league to see players from the other league and see a different style of play live. I think that it's time has passed, does anyone really want to see the Mariners play the Marlins? It was a godd experiment to get fans more interested but just like a 45 year old pitcher, it's time has passed!
2007-12-20 03:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by bdough15 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MLB is starting to tinker with interleague play. There are a LOT of good possibilities.
1.) Unofficial 3rd and 4th place. Every year 2 teams lose the LCS in each league. An unofficial 3 or 5 game regular season match would be good box office and a natural light-hearted series to have.
2.) They are starting to do this, and they could do a lot to promote it better. Old school matchups. 1945 Tigers and Cubs in the WS. Dodgers/Yankees. Orioles/Mets. Twins/Braves. There are a lot more.
One BIG improvement would be to have this season-within-a-season in one lump instead of two. I know it has to do with box office and all, but why not crunch the two times they do it into one? Better for promotion. They could begin before the All-Star game and finish after. The natural match-ups would be endless. This hitter vs. that batter before the All-Star game. This batter vs. this pitcher after. Will the pitcher get his revenge. That sort of thing. I'm not crazy about the wild card, but interleague play has endless possibilities.
2007-12-19 18:27:06 · answer #2 · answered by Sarrafzedehkhoee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate interleague play. That's what made the World Series so special. It was the best team from each league battling it out. Now, chances are those teams might have 3-6 games together during the regular season.
2007-12-19 18:56:53 · answer #3 · answered by Crusader 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interleague play is great for baseball. Its the NL and the AL vrsing each other. And I love it. At least you get a handful of games in the season were its not just another one of those divisional last place teams games (D-Rays, Orioles....). Its EXCITING. Even if I wast a Yankee fan with the Yankee - Met rivalry, I would still think it would be a good thing for baseball.
Although, I am tottally against the DH rule. Thats just stupid.
2007-12-19 19:11:59 · answer #4 · answered by #1 New York Yankees Fan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really like it. There are some MAJOR problems with it though. Last year for instance, the Cardinals got two series against the Royals... Bam... 6 easy wins at least right there, while the Reds were forced to play several games against the ultra-talented Indians... They need to play balanced interleague schedules.
2007-12-19 18:11:05 · answer #5 · answered by Reduviidae 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Red Sox and Braves are interleague rivals from the days when the Braves were in Boston.
Put I do understand your point.
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2007-12-19 18:27:31 · answer #6 · answered by Kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think interleague play is stupid. Unless they can make it fair and everyone plays the same teams then it shouldn't be done. Just like having a schedule that overloads games in your division. That's ok when you are fighting for the division title but when the whole American or National league is fighting for one wild card spot they need to spread it out like the old days.
2007-12-19 18:07:30 · answer #7 · answered by Andy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I love interleague play. It really has helped the attendance at baseball games. I got to see Cincinnati Reds play the Seattle Mariners in Seattle last summer. They are really rivals, but it was great to see the games and attendance was fantastic. I am glad we have it. Otherwise, I would not get to see this matchup.
2007-12-19 18:03:58 · answer #8 · answered by Sharon S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i really like interleague play
it makes baseball more interesting esp when you are rooting for your fav pitchers to bat. it's always pretty humorous :)
i like going up against NL teams i mean with exception of post season you never get to see the other side :)
2007-12-19 22:38:12 · answer #9 · answered by ♥ mimi ♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It devalues the World Series. I like to see two teams play in the World Series who didn't play in the regular season.
2007-12-19 18:09:06 · answer #10 · answered by Mississippi River 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋