Players split over plans for bigger MLB playoffs
Source: Agencies |
October 27, 2010, Wednesday
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MAJOR League Baseball's playoffs could be expanding in two years.
The new head of the players' union says his members are open to adding more wildcard teams for 2012 and possibly extending the division series to a best-of-seven.
Union head Michael Weiner says it's also possible players would agree to cutting the regular season from 162 games, but that's more problematic because it would cost teams revenue.
"There is sentiment among a substantial segment of the players to consider expanding the playoffs," Weiner said.
Eight of 30 teams make the MLB playoffs under the format that began in 1995.
MLB commissioner Bud Selig appears to be increasingly in favor of proposing more playoff teams during collective bargaining with the union next year, which will determine the postseason format for 2012 and beyond.
"We have less teams than any other sport," he said last month. "We certainly haven't abused anything."
In the NFL, 12 of 32 teams make the playoffs. In the NBA and NHL, 16 of 30 teams advance to the postseason.
Not all players are in favor of a longer postseason.
"Personally, I like the system the way it is," San Francisco Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand said. "I think just the one wildcard team from each league. If you're in a division where you've got a team running away with it, it gives all those other teams hope of something to play for throughout the course of the season."
Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt was concerned that adding wildcard teams or increasing the length of the division series would make a long season even longer.
"Sometimes they think we're just robots, but you've got to think of potential injuries. On pitchers, that's a lot of throwing. Position players, some play every game all year. It just takes a toll on the body. If they're going to do that, they've got to think a lot about the ramifications."
The new head of the players' union says his members are open to adding more wildcard teams for 2012 and possibly extending the division series to a best-of-seven.
Union head Michael Weiner says it's also possible players would agree to cutting the regular season from 162 games, but that's more problematic because it would cost teams revenue.
"There is sentiment among a substantial segment of the players to consider expanding the playoffs," Weiner said.
Eight of 30 teams make the MLB playoffs under the format that began in 1995.
MLB commissioner Bud Selig appears to be increasingly in favor of proposing more playoff teams during collective bargaining with the union next year, which will determine the postseason format for 2012 and beyond.
"We have less teams than any other sport," he said last month. "We certainly haven't abused anything."
In the NFL, 12 of 32 teams make the playoffs. In the NBA and NHL, 16 of 30 teams advance to the postseason.
Not all players are in favor of a longer postseason.
"Personally, I like the system the way it is," San Francisco Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand said. "I think just the one wildcard team from each league. If you're in a division where you've got a team running away with it, it gives all those other teams hope of something to play for throughout the course of the season."
Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt was concerned that adding wildcard teams or increasing the length of the division series would make a long season even longer.
"Sometimes they think we're just robots, but you've got to think of potential injuries. On pitchers, that's a lot of throwing. Position players, some play every game all year. It just takes a toll on the body. If they're going to do that, they've got to think a lot about the ramifications."
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