Eliminate interleague play ( 2004 Thread Update )

CharlieMaxwell

Rx Managing Editor

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #1

This weekend marks the end of baseball’s interleague play, which is something I have hated since it was introduced. I take that back. I don’t hate it; I loathe it and despise it.

Read the rest of the story by RX poster Winkyduck by going to the RX home page at www.therx.com

Charlie

[This message was edited by Charlie Maxwell on July 02, 2004 at 02:37 PM.]

 

TheGeneral+

Another Day, Another Dollar

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #2

Interleague play is good. Just reduce the season to about 80 games and you have something.

 

Redneckman

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #3

I love interleague play.

 

ThreeUnits

"When you win, say little; when you lose, say less

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #4

I thought his name was Winkyduck not Windyduck. Is that a Freudian slip?
Just kidding Winky ....

 

Blaze

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #5

i also enjoy interleague play, and haven't heard anybody say they don't like it besides Winkyduck.

 

exilarch

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #6

Interleague play provides excellent betting opportunities. For example, I like to bet home dogs and these do very well in interleague play.

 

krackman

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #7

From a bettors stance I HATE IT! Year after year the syndicates cannot properly handicap these games(I guess because of the lack of history between the teams) therefore the steam does not hold up. This year has been no different.

Ex is correct though the only money I have made has been betting the BIGGER dogs at home.

 

wilheim

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• #8

As a bettor I also never liked inter-league play. No DH for AL teams on the road, and having to use a DH for NL teams on the road is one of the main reasons the games are hard to cap. However as a fan I think there are a few more rivalries that make sense than were mentioned. The Florida series between DRAYS and Marlins, the Canada series (unfortunately poor teams) could have been excellent. Astros-Rangers has potential, battle of Ohio Reds-Indians, not to mention the chance for fans around the country to see teams like the Yanks, Red Sox, Giants, Cubs, and Dodgers, and others for the first time ever. The schedule inequities issue is valid but still imo not worth scrapping the games.


wil.

 

JudgeWapner

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #9

From I fan point of view I love it.Makes a long season interesting.

 

MeantownScum

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• Jul 2, 2004

• #10

I enjoyed Winky's column, I thought it was well written and that he stated his case well.

But, everything in life is a tradeoff, and to me, there is no question that Interleague plays brings more excitement to a larger piece of the MLB fan pie - that justifies it's existence.

What's the real difference, having the Padres play the Brewers tonight? To be sure, there would be a substantial amount of good tickets available for the first pitch for that one, I guess...

 

WildBill

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• #11

Interleague play is one of the few things to look forward to each year. If not for that, who else would the Yankees get up for other than the Sox? And how can people complain about the in-city rivalries? Or how about the excitement that came a couple weeks ago when the Yanks came to LA and the Red Sox went to SF. Fans could see those teams play every year across town, but people were paying huge prices to scalpers to see those matchups. Sure there will be some bad series as well, but I think good fans want to see these series and the ratings and attendance prove it. Forget about all the logistics or the purity of the game, the idea of all sports is to be entertainment and nothing entertains the fans more than this during the long regular season.

 

PatPatriot

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• Jul 3, 2004

• #12

My heart likes it.My wallet hates it as my 2-7 nite would attest.

 

sherman

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• Jul 3, 2004

• #13

inter leaugue play sucks.

 

SportsBettingTrivia.com

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• Jul 3, 2004

• #14

With inter league play my book definitely does more volume..I think the betting public enjoys the geographical matchups, and the interest seems greater..

Mets..Yanks..for my book this weekend..nothing better..

 

5teamparlay

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• May 19, 2011

• #15

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article1170491.ece

May 18, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon suggests interleague play's time has past
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
TORONTO - Rays manager Joe Maddon never has been a fan of interleague play, and with the 15th season set to open Friday, he has joined the chorus of those saying its time may be past.

"I think in the beginning it was an idea that fans kind of got into and it was kind of interesting," Maddon said. "I don't know that it's interesting any more."

His biggest issues:

. The impact it has on the schedule - in terms of greater imbalance competitively and travel inconveniences: "I'd rather have a balanced schedule within the American League and have us play in a more balanced way."

. The lack of appeal of most of the matchups. "There's some (Cubs-White Sox, Angels-Dodgers, Yankees-Mets), but to say that we're rivals with the Marlins, that's not true."

Also, Maddon said it creates advantages for the NL teams and dilutes the World Series pairing.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday that he felt the idea "has run its course" and also cited the lack of rivalries.