MLB's Current Alignment -- Why?

[KG Erwin]

Is there some weird economic reason for MLB's unbalanced setup? Most would probably agree that a more balanced alignment would be for Milwaukee to switch to the AL Central, with Kansas City moving to the AL West.

I've heard no rumors of further expansion, so why this odd 16/14 setup?

[dzanr]

There's one reason: As part of the 1995 strike settlement that created the bogus 3-division per league, the inequity that is inter-league play, and the purely-financially-motivated Division Sereis with a wild card team, Bud Selig insisted that the Milwaukee franchise be returned to its "rightful" league.  Nobody with enough influence seemed to care that in doing so we now have 1 six-team division 4 five-team divisions, and 1 four-team division.
 
In Selig's mind, his Brewers franchise, born entirely from the old Seattle Pilots in 1970, was really the reincarnantion of the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, and thus had to be in the NL to preserve the rightful order of the baseball universe.  Ridiculous, IMO. 
 
Just another reason not to like Bud Selig.      
 
DZ  

[Bustoff]

ORIGINAL: dzanr

Just another reason not to like Bud Selig.

DZ

Like we needed another one?

[GNDN]

I think one of the shortest threads would be "Things to like about Bud Selig (Owners not allowed to post)"

[cdvalenta]

Like the other guys said... two words... Bud Selig

[KG Erwin]

So, this was solely due to Selig's intransigence? Shoulda figured that. I suppose he conveniently forgot that Milwaukee was an AL franchise in 1901? Of course, THAT team was replaced by St. Louis in 1902.

The Brewers an heir of the Braves? That logic is completely groundless.

Does this also mean that no NL owner has expressed interest in moving to the AL?

Washington was never in consideration as an AL expansion team? That always seemed bizarre to me. I would've thought that the Senators would be reborn.

[Crapgame54]

The reason for the 16-14 split is so that "inter-league" play can be scheduled in blocks. If both leagues had 15 teams one series would always have to be an inter-league series. This would not bother me, but the MLB bigwigs were against it. With both leagues having an even number of teams everyone can play a same-league opponent on the same day.

[motnahp]

I'm still trying to figure out how the ACC justified splitting Florida State and Miami into different divisions for football. Could they have made it any MORE obvious what matchup they would prefer to see every year in their championship game?

Too bad their setup has failed miserably. Both teams have spiraled downhill ever since! That's what they get for trying to copy the SEC.

[Jam_USMC]

I have heard locally, in Missouri, that one of the reasons it was the Brewers who moved to the NL instead of the Royals was that when the Royals were asked if they would like to move (and thereby take part in the geographic rivalry with St. Louis) their reply was that they would rather host host the Yankees and Red Sox once a year--the only times they sell out the stadium-- than change leagues and never have a full stadium.
 
Just checking this place out and felt I could add my 2 cents. BTW have Baseball Mogul '07, is this game better? Of course you will say it is, but how is it better?

[Bustoff]

Jam_USMC, let me start off this sub-thread by answering your question: I don't know. I've never played Baseball Mogul, but I'm sure there are others on the board who have and who can (and will) be more specific.

That said, I strongly encourage you to give PS a try. I don't think you will be disappointed. The game itself never, never gets old, the developer is a hands-on guy who actually reads and replies to your posts, and the PS community itself is peopled with intelligent, helpful people who can help you get the most out of your PS experience. The total package is an incredible bargain.

If you need more convincing, I recommend hanging out here on the board for a while. Read some of the posts and see what we (and PS) are all about.

Welcome aboard!

[Jam_USMC]

Bustoff, I stayed up way too late last night perusing this board and you are absolutely correct about the type of folks who hang out here. And I must say that Erwin really starts a lot of interesting topics--which are followed by interesting responses. I am going to look into into this one and do some research on my own instead of asking you guys to answer a list of the same 'ol questions about the game.
 
Btw, my dad hit me with this one a couple of years ago and had me doubled over in laughter: He said he was going to record one of Shannon's home run calls to use for his alarm clock, "Get up, get up, get up-- get up, baby!"

[KG Erwin]

Oh, man, I feel flattered. I think it's obvious that I'm a student and fan of the USMC.

[motnahp]

This is a little eerie....I spent 2 1/2 years on board the USS Guadalcanal in the late 1980's. We were always ready to give the Marines a ride wherever they needed to go.