The playoffs were initiated in 1969 when the two leagues expanded from ten to twelve teams and were divided into two divisions of six teams each. At the end of the 162 game regular season, each league's two division winners would play a best three out of five playoff series to determine the pennant winner. The playoff records were separate from regular season and World Series records.
In 1985, the playoffs were changed to a best of seven series, which was a more realistic way than a best of five series to determine a pennant winner, but the American League had added one team to each division in 1977, creating six losers in each division. Realignment occurred in 1993, creating more winners and more playoff rounds.
Each league was divided into three divisions to create three "champions" and a "wildcard" team. The latter would be the second place team with the best record among the three second place teams. The playoffs would consist of a best of five series among the three division winners and the "wild card," followed by the two first round winners in each league playing a best of seven series to decide the pennant winner. THEN the World Series would be begin.
From politics to baseball, image has become everything. What exists today must be better than anything that existed in the past, including baseball players, but that cannot be made obvious. No, fans must be distracted, bombarded with stimuli, and given the "truth" by experts.
Babe Ruth hit 15 World Series home runs. He held the record until Mickey Mantle hit his 16th World Series home run against the Cardinals in the 1964 Series. Mantle hit two more in that Series to set the record of 18 World Series home runs, a record that still stands.
But that is really not the story. Another Yankees' centerfielder, Bernie Williams, holds the "postseason" home run record with 22, Manny Ramirez is second with 20, while Reggie Jackson and Mantle are tied for third with 18. Bernie Williams has hit exactly 5 World Series home runs. Manny Ramirez has hit 4. Mickey Mantle never appeared in a playoff game because there were no playoff games.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Harold Friend's Baseball topic, please visit the Discussions page.