Let's put the Wild back in Wild Card

Oh we are so excited about the great playoff races as we wind down the 2009 season.

AL East - done

AL West - done

NL East - done

AL Central - done

NL West - done

AL Wild Card - done

NL Wild card - almost done

AL Central - almost done

Okay, so the races are a little dry this year, like the Sahara Desert maybe.

Last year there were 8 teams at least that still had legit shots, with 10 games left, some better than others, but we have more magic numbers on the board than attendance.

Much has been written , and as always, it's written at this time of the year because it's relevant about expanding the playoff format to bring in 2 more teams in each league.

As much of a purist, I know see it as inevitable that baseball has to seriously look at this, not pay it lip service.

The trouble is how ?

Cut Spring Training down, and start the season earlier, I am all for that, but watch for Florida and Arizona governors to plead with Congress to resist that idea, as it fuels their winter tourist industries.

Shorten the regular season, take it back to 154 game mark. Oh, I am sure we'll hear from the Players Union on that one, unless they don't take a pay cut. Plus the weaker teams will see 4 less gates, so there's a chance they want that revenue from the 15,000 die hard fans still going in the last 2 weeks.

How about play in games, like the NCAA basketball, they have their March Madness begin with one showdown to become the 64th seeded team. Have the extra 2 teams play other, and then the winner plays a 2 out of 3

to stay in as thee Wild card team. Still scratcing your head, you're not alone.

How do you the best solution, compromise that's how. Players and management and Spring training all have to shrink equally, creating another week and a half, condense the travel, and have short best of 3 series ( all in the same city as the teams with best records ) to reduce travel issues. That way you get a compressed additional round in. Top 2 teams get a bye, the remaining 4 teams play in home city of the team with better record and play best of 3. Winners move on to play the normal best of 5, then a best of 7 AL and NLDS.

Probably means starting the year in the last week of March, so be prepared for the early season to be played more in domes, or in regions where the weather is warmer and dryer. Also, sorry Players, the season just shrunk by 4 games to 158, so 2 less home dates.

I don't care what Kansas City, Pittsburgh, or other cellar dwellers say about the loss of revenue. They all get an equal share of TV revenue from the additional rounds. That makes up for some loss, but it probably costs those weaker teams considerable coin to play the last few games when they are eliminated anyhow, so how much harm will it do.

Here is hoping that what is causes is heightened playoff races, better TV packages, more gate revenue from teams that stay in their races longer.

You see this wok in the NFL, as most years there are multiple combinations of potential playoff opportunities still available. Rarely are their races over early in December.

I think it's time, someone nudge Bud and ask him to respond.