Comments on: The Diamondbacks are also a candidate to move to the American League

By: purdueman

purdueman — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:59:48 +0000

proud… wish there was a way to give your post TWO thumbs up!!!

By: dirtyharry1971

dirtyharry1971 — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:11:19 +0000

cant wait until selig is long gone as the comish

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:42:56 +0000

Why doesn’t every team just switch to the AL? That way, everyone could use the DH and there would be more scoring.

By: purdueman

purdueman — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:31:11 +0000

Thanks for the information. You left out the best part though, and that’s the part where Milwaukee switch leagues and their owner in blind trust, Bud the Dud, made millions off of that move!

By: simon94022

simon94022 — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:19:52 +0000

Yes, AZ was provisionally placed in the NL West and Tampa Bay in the AL East for 1998 (and Milwaukee switched to the NL in order to even the leagues. But the expansion agreement expressly authorized MLB to realign the new teams without their consent in the first five years. Selig proposed switching the
before the 2001 season. The Rays were eager to get out of the Yankees’ shadow, and Selig had promised the Rangers that the ridiculous AL West alignment they were stuck in was only temporary.

But the DBacks whined and bawled and said the move would destroy their franchise, so Selig relented. Then they won the World Series, which ended the discussion. And then Colangelo’s overspending destroyed the franchise.

By: fthrvic

fthrvic — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:41:24 +0000

Jerry Collangelo strong armed the league (Bud Selig) when the Dbacks were named as an expansion franchise to be in the NL West, I believe he threatened legal action if the league was going to try to place AZ in the AL. In any case, I would like to see some of the AL hitters come to AZ and play, I would say the same thing about CO. Alot of people don’t know that AZ is the second highest elevation franchise in the league at about 1100′ above sea level. The ball flies at Chase Field and I’m looking forward to the HR derby this year for that reason.

By: purdueman

purdueman — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:02:03 +0000

As has been pointed out, the reason for the Brewers switching leagues (in addition of course to making Selig’s ownership of them escalate in value… even in the aptly named “blind trust), was to alleviate the scheduling headaches of having an odd number of teams in each league.

Moving one team from the NL to the AL brings back the same problem, but with interleague play now here to stay it opens up more possibilities scheduling wise.

Personally I think that there are too many divisional games as is. Does America really need 19-21 Red Sox vs. Yankees games each and every year? (or for that matter any other such number of divisional based games regardless of who the opponents are). I for one sure don’t think so!

There’s no rule you know that teams have to play the exact same number of games against every opponent every year? Uh, the answer to that would be no! The resulting scheduling changes would be like a breathe of fresh air if you ask me!

By: purdueman

purdueman — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:52:26 +0000

I recall that there WAS talk of that back when they joined. That begs the question though as to why the D-Backs weren’t simply placed in the AL to begin with (?).

When the D-Backs joined in 1998, were the current divisions in place? Was Milwaukee still in the AL?

I would think though that it would be great for D-Back fans; I know if I was one, I’d be very supportive and excited about the possibility.

By: Jay Seaver

Jay Seaver — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:47:56 +0000

Wasn’t there a clause in Arizona’s original expansion agreement which would actually require them to switch leagues if baseball decided to realign? It’s probably long since expired, but it’s been a possibility for a looong time.

By: royalsfaninfargo

royalsfaninfargo — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:31:51 +0000

I agree D.J., about the historical side to the Astros. I think if re-alignment happens the Rockies, D-Backs, and Astros should be the teams to look at. Either way it looks like Houstons days in the NL central are numbered.