a low probability of rain or even snow.

That's not what the writer meant, I suspect.

«a low probability of rain or even snow.»

Baseball is definitely not coming back to Montréal...

“The Super Bowl does that, although it’s a terrible event.”

Ah, the old "Terrible Event" paradigm. Just what baseball needs.

If this happens, I will make it my goal in life to see that Scott Boras's career is ruined.

"Corporate America can't embrace [the World Series]; they don't know where the games are being played," Boras said by telephone recently. "People can't say, 'I'll see you at the World Series.' This way, we have a plan for it."

Is this really an issue? Can't Corporate America show up pretty much anywhere at a moments notice?

I actually would prefer a 9 game format, but not with the sunny city scenario of Boras.

I am generally a Boras fan. I read an article about this idea of his a few weeks ago -- probably here -- and happen to think it's one of the retardest things I've ever heard.

General rule: anybody who tries to import anything from football to baseball is wrong.

Corporate America can’t embrace [the World Series] . . . the interaction between players and corporations would increase

Definitely. If there's one thing our cash-strapped national pastime needs, it's more interaction with and influence from large corporations. Like the wildly appropriate Spider-Man 2 promotion, for example.

I expect King Kaufman to weigh in on this shortly with his typical shortsighted criticisms of MLB's beloved partnership with FOX and other fan-friendly institutions. And I will find his views completely without merit.

“Corporate America can’t embrace [the World Series]; they don’t know where the games are being played,” Boras said by telephone recently. “People can’t say, ‘I’ll see you at the World Series.’ This way, we have a plan for it.”

#### Corporate America. Like Caple said in his 101 things all sports fan must experience article, the NFL conference championship games are better than the Super Bowl because at the Super Bowl the stands are filled with people from "Corporate America" who don't give a #### about the game instead of actual fans.

#### Corporate America.

You beat me to this. This would be the worst idea of Selig's tenure, and that's saying something. I would be done with MLB if they did this. I already feel a little dirty for supporting these ##########, but if they decide "corporate America" is more important than the game, then eff them. I'm done. Corporate asshats, players and owners can have their very own private party. They may not believe this, but I do have other interests and other things I can do with my time.

Corporate America is my co-worker. That guy's an ass.

“Corporate America can’t embrace [the World Series]; they don’t know where the games are being played"

Anyone who doesn't know where the World Series is being played should be horsewhipped. And so should Scott Boras, just on general principle.

And so should Scott Boras, just on general principle.


The man is damn good at his job though

"You having a laugh? Is he having a laugh?"

Anyone who doesn't know where the World Series is being played should be horsewhipped.

So where's the World Series being played this year?

So where's the World Series being played this year?

America!

America!

Blue Jays fans now hate you.

So where's the World Series being played this year?

looks like we got ourselves a horsewhippen boys.

sounds like a good idea to me.

Why does no one love Corporate America?

I'm not really a fan of awards shows, but I have thought that an MLB post season award show might be worth watching; the MVPs, ROYs, MOYs, &c;all feted in one location. I dunno about holding i tht enight before the World Series though. I think one reason why this awards show hasn't happened is that baseball likes the drawn out award announcements that keep it in the news for a little while after the postseason.

I think one reason why this awards show hasn't happened is that baseball likes the drawn out award announcements that keep it in the news for a little while after the postseason.

Exactly, and it keeps baseball in the news very effectively, too, I think. And crimony, awards shows are super freakin lame. Do you guys actually watch awards shows? And if so, why? What the hell is wrong with you? Get help now. (Girlfriends and wives are no excuse. You have to draw the line somewhere! Are you men are are you mice?)

Are you me are are you mice

No sure if that is a typo or if you are the new standard.

No sure if that is a typo or if you are the new standard.

:) If I'm a new standard, I'd hate to think what I was a standard of. (Typo fixed!)

Why does no one love Corporate America?

Sadly, his superpowers just don't resonate with the kids. Personally, I find Synergy, Outside the Box Thinking and Strategic Planning far more captivating than tall building leaping and bullet stopping.

But Corporate America seamlessly integrates more power than a locomotive with revenue enhancement.

But Corporate America seamlessly integrates more power than a locomotive with revenue enhancement.

Don't forget that Corporate America encourages other super heroes to take ownership of their law enforcing responsibilities.

(Typo fixed!)

One out of two ain't so good.

One out of two ain't so good.

Meh. Posting here is my union job.

Are you me are are you mice

No sure if that is a typo or if you are the new standard.

Since Shooty is one of my disciples, I'm voting he's the new standard.

Fortunately with Scott Boras's name attached to this nonsense, even the nonsensical owners of MLB will probably shy away from it. For this we owe Scott big time.

The extended format might outrage purists, but Boras is quick to point out there's a precedent here: The World Series was indeed a best-of-nine in 1903, the year of its inception, when the Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, five games to three.

It was also best-of-nine from 1919-21, although with the Black Sox scandal, I can see why Klapisch didn't mention it (not that it had anything to do with the scandal). Perhapa a historian here can answer why the Series reverted to a best-of-seven format (gate receipts?).

As for Boras' idea, I'm lukewarm to it, though I'd be dead set against it if all the games were played on neutral sites. Also, what happens if you choose, say, Minute Maid Park as your neutral site and the Astros qualify for the Series? Do you move the neutral-site games to Los Angeles?

Lou Reed summed up Boras & Selig pretty well with some lyrics from "Dirt," I think --

They'd eat #### and say it tasted good
if there was some money in it for them

I think one reason why this awards show hasn't happened is that baseball likes the drawn out award announcements that keep it in the news for a little while after the postseason.

It sure is awesome when the NL ROY is announced at 2pm on a Tuesday in November, is mentioned 13 minutes into the 6pm sportscenter, then mentioned 37 minutes into the 10pm sportscenter, after a look into the Texas A&M;afternoon practice. You can't put a price on that kind of free advertising.

Just put the neutral site games in Tampa Bay. No risk there. Or perhaps put them in Montreal (it is a dome) as there is no risk of their team getting there (or even their old team).

It sure is awesome when the NL ROY is announced at 2pm on a Tuesday in November, is mentioned 13 minutes into the 6pm sportscenter, then mentioned 37 minutes into the 10pm sportscenter, after a look into the Texas A&M;afternoon practice. You can't put a price on that kind of free advertising.

It doesn't really matter that it's announced this way. In my office, we talk about who may win a couple of days before the announcement and then the day of. And, of course, it's grist for the mill in the blogosphere. I like the way they do it now. I don't see how watching Travis Buck get a shiny trophy and then thank his mother and Jesus for a minute is going to make the awards any more interesting.

Besides, I'm the new standard. So I've got that going for me.

The ROY, Cy Young, MVP, Manager of the Year, etc. awards do get baseball into the papers in the cities with the winners and top runners up. The advantage being it might help keep people thinking of it as season ticket sales start up for the next season. Same with the Hall of Fame announcement in the dead of winter. Baseball does a great job of spreading its awards out during the off-season vs the silliness of the NBA handing the awards out when everyone is focused on the playoffs.

Also, what happens if you choose, say, Minute Maid Park as your neutral site and the Astros qualify for the Series? Do you move the neutral-site games to Los Angeles?

Whitey Herzog covers it in "You're Missing a Great Game". You build a baseball stadium in Nashville, TN (so chosen because there is no team really close to there and Nashville already has a lot of hotels). Each owner would only have to chip in $15 million or so dollars (surely they'd have no objection to that). Then you play the World Series there. And the place becomes a cash cow because the rest of the year it's used as the world's largest bingo hall.

I am not making any of this up.

I don't think the spreading out of the announcements increases interest or ticket sales at all. Its mostly baseball nerds who pay attention. Talk about it at the office? I wish I worked with someone who had a clue who Travis Buck was.

I agree that the awards show won't do much either. I guess all options stink, so might as well go with the current format.

Whitey Herzog covers it in "You're Missing a Great Game". You build a baseball stadium in Nashville, TN (so chosen because there is no team really close to there and Nashville already has a lot of hotels). Each owner would only have to chip in $15 million or so dollars (surely they'd have no objection to that). Then you play the World Series there. And the place becomes a cash cow because the rest of the year it's used as the world's largest bingo hall.

Yeah, Whitey has a lot of good ideas. This wasn't one of those. It was a good for a laugh, though. That and his description of Bob Horner as a toad. Good stuff!

Travis Buck?? That's gonna be Dustin Pedroia on that podium thanking kevin for keeping the Pedroia flame. Him or Hideki Okalima and his interpreter thanking some Shinto deity.

Travis Buck?? That's gonna be Dustin Pedroia on that podium thanking kevin for keeping the Pedroia flame. Him or Hideki Okalima and his interpreter thanking some Shinto deity.

Dammit Willie, I was trolling for kevin or MHS with that one. I'm going to have to throw you back...

Anyone who doesn't know where the World Series is being played should be horsewhipped.

So where's the World Series being played this year?

Detroit. Next question.

Actually, I just like the word "horsewhipped", and I have ever since I heard Groucho (in one of the Marx brohers movies) say: "I'd horsewhip you if I had a horse!"

The World Series was indeed a best-of-nine in 1903

Also in 1903, baseball was played in dangerous wooden stadiums in the hot sun by white guys in flannel uniforms in front of tiny crowds who got all excited if someone managed to hit the dirty, soggy ball to the outfield.

Just sayin'.

Also, what happens if you choose, say, Minute Maid Park as your neutral site and the Astros qualify for the Series? Do you move the neutral-site games to Los Angeles?

Whitey Herzog covers it in "You're Missing a Great Game". You build a baseball stadium in Nashville, TN (so chosen because there is no team really close to there and Nashville already has a lot of hotels). Each owner would only have to chip in $15 million or so dollars (surely they'd have no objection to that). Then you play the World Series there. And the place becomes a cash cow because the rest of the year it's used as the world's largest bingo hall.

The only thing I can't figure out from Whitey's proposal is: Why Nashville, and not Branson, Missouri? Branson would seem even more in line with the general spirit of the idea, and you could even have Andy Williams sing "Moon River" during the seventh inning stretch. There wouldn't be a dry eye in the entire Muntz household.

People who say "I'll see you at the Super Bowl" can surely afford to buy a ticket and make travel plans on a few days notice.

What a steaming load. Boras is already one of the great plagues of the the game; if enacted, this will make things far, far worse.

And, yeah, F the corporate bozos who "don't know" where the games are being played. Who cares.

And, yeah, F the corporate bozos who "don't know" where the games are being played. Who cares.

OK, all you schmoes that have followed the team and bought tickets for years and years while we won nothing, now that we're finally in the Series, it's time to abandon you for all the flunkies at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Thanks for keeping us afloat and we'll see you again next year! Don't forget to send in those deposits!

The only thing I can't figure out from Whitey's proposal is: Why Nashville, and not Branson, Missouri?

Maybe he thought Branson, MO was Bronson, MO.

Branson would seem even more in line with the general spirit of the idea, and you could even have Andy Williams sing "Moon River" during the seventh inning stretch. There wouldn't be a dry eye in the entire Muntz household.

Oh, come on. That has to wait until the 11th inning.

It was also best-of-nine from 1919-21, although with the Black Sox scandal, I can see why Klapisch didn't mention it (not that it had anything to do with the scandal). Perhapa a historian here can answer why the Series reverted to a best-of-seven format (gate receipts?).

Travel, weather, and blow out series I'm betting.

Its mostly baseball nerds who pay attention. Talk about it at the office? I wish I worked with someone who had a clue who Travis Buck was.

Half my office is in the same fantasy league. Granted, half of 8=4, so we're not exactly talking about a throng, but still, it's pretty cool.

(It would be even cooler if I wasn't 3rd from last, but that's a sacrifice I make to keep everyone else's spirits up. Yeah, that's it ... that's the ticket.)

People thought a nine-game series was too long.

It was also best-of-nine from 1919-21, although with the Black Sox scandal, I can see why Klapisch didn't mention it (not that it had anything to do with the scandal). Perhapa a historian here can answer why the Series reverted to a best-of-seven format (gate receipts?).

Travel, weather, and blow out series I'm betting.

Not likely in any of those cases.

1. The last of those Series was conducted in one park (Yanks-Giants, Polo Grounds)
2. The games were played in early to mid-October in the daytime. Remember, earlier in the century World Series games were played as late as Oct. 28.
3. While none of the series went a full nine games, two went eight and the '20 Cleveland-Brooklyn series went seven.

Another story I read said that people just started to lose interest when the series went on too long.

The longer a series goes on, the less likely it is to reach a decisive game.

Another story I read said that people just started to lose interest when the series went on too long.

Baseball should expand to 32 teams. Each year they should seed the teams 1-32 before the season, maybe based on Spring Training records. Then at the start of the season the 1 seed plays a 33 game series against the 32 seed, 2 vs 31, etc. The winners go on, the losers go into a losers' bracket. Repeat. It's just like the Great Alaska Shootout or the Maui Classic. Eventually everyone plays a 165 game season, and at the end you've got everyone sorted 1-32. I know I'd love the opportunity to see the Rangers and Nationals play for five weeks to see who is the 27th-best team in the Majors.

I wish I worked with someone who had a clue who Travis Buck was.

The only award he will win is the porn award when someone confuses him with Buck Naked!

Gold Jerry Gold!!

Actually, I just like the word "horsewhipped", and I have ever since I heard Groucho (in one of the Marx brohers movies) say: "I'd horsewhip you if I had a horse!"

Horse Feathers.

I kind of like that we've taken a thread about the Yankees and Red Sox and highjacked into a thread about a team that doesn't exist. It's like bizarro ESPN land here.

One of the other things about a 9 game series is that it's a lot easier for a few conspirators on one team to throw a game and get away with it - you have four more chances to lose.

The 1903 series was a one-off where the NL probably wanted to make sure that it wasn't as prone to a lucky streak by the upstart AL contributing to a bad PR debacle where they couldn't continue to claim that they were the #1 show in the land. Unfortunately for them, a certain Cy somebody from Boston and his team overcame a 3-1 deficit against Honus Wagner and the Pirates by winning the last four.
After the Giants refused to play the AL champs in 1904, the WS rules were reset to 7 games. Something like chess world championship matches, where sometimes it was best of 24 (champion retains title if 12-12), sometimes 6 wins, etc.

As for awards revealed before the WS, wasn't there some story about one of the early MVP's choking in the WS and some people saying that it affected his play (e.g. trying too hard and failing) being the reason that balloting was taken before the WS and winners announced after?

, wasn't there some story about one of the early MVP's choking in the WS and some people saying that it affected his play (e.g. trying too hard and failing) being the reason that balloting was taken before the WS and winners announced after?

You're probably tuinking of Washington's Roger Peckinpaugh -- right after the 1925 regular season he was voted the AL MVP. He proceeded to make eight errors in the WS against Pittsburgh.

Neutral site World Series games would also be a fantastic bargaining chip for those cities which do not want to use taxpayers dollars to fund stadiums.

"Okay Miami and the state of Florida, if you don't want World Series games one and two in your state then don't give the Marlins a new stadium."