Wednesday, July 16, 2008

An Open Letter to MLB Commisioner Bud Selig

Dear Bud,

Great game last night, huh? Yeah, I'm still not sure how the N.L. got out of that base loaded, no out jam, either. Crazy, I know! But you wanna know what's even crazier? If Corey Hart's throw from right field had been about six-inches more on target, Jason Moron would have been out at the plate in the bottom of the 15th inning, just sliding under Brian McCann's tag (-- or was that Justin Morneau? ESPN could not confirm this name check, too busy trying to track down Josh Hamilton for an another interview about his former crack-cocaine habit, or were too busy trying to dry-hump the facade of Yankee Stadium...I got conflicting reports, here.)

Yeah, that's right, Bud. They could still be playing. While that wouldn't have bothered me any, as the game was that exciting. Despite Dan Uggla's bad night at second base, defense and pitching were lights-friggin' out, and put on quite a show. And if that throw had been a just a little more on target, my gosh, we could be starting the bottom of the 27th right now.

Now I know you were a little embarrassed by the infamous tie-game a few years back, which started this whole home-field advantage crap being decided by the winner of the All-Star Game, but it almost happened again last night: a grueling extra-inning tie. That'd be almost twice in a span of a little over five years. And since it "counts," there's a chance that this exhibition game is gonna run into these same problems next year, and the year after that etc. etc. etc.

So here's an idea: set a ten-inning limit. That way we don't destroy any pitchers and prevent a few gastrointestinal problems for the managers. And in the case of a tie after ten-innings, the rule should clearly state that Home Field Advantage for the World Series will then be determined by which team has the better record. Now there's a novel idea. And if by some quirk they have the same record, well, Bud, time to flip a coin. National League - heads. American League - tails.

Pretty simple, Bud.

Sincerely, Your Buddy, Chad

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