Expansion would likely mean adding a second wild card in each league and having those wild cards play off to narrow the field to the current eight.
Players' union head Michael Weiner recently said the players are open to expanded playoffs, mentioning 2012 as the starting point, since that would come after the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
But asked Thursday, after presenting the Roberto Clemente Award to Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, if the playoffs could grow in 2011, Selig said, "Yes."
Asked where those discussions stand, Selig said, "That's for later. I've said that I would consider it and we will.
"It will come up when I bring it up."
Selig said his "Special Committee for On-Field Matters" will convene some time in November.
"We've got to work out a lot of details," Selig said, "see how much interest there is. And then we'll take it to all the constituencies. ... We have a lot of different opinions we're asking: when to do it, if to do it, and then how to do it."
Weiner mentioned expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven. But Selig clearly is worried about playing into late October and early November.
"We'll look at everything," Selig said. "We can talk about enlarging everything, but then we can go to Thanksgiving."
This year's playoffs determined a sixth different AL champion in six years, and the World Series will have been won by six different teams in six years.
"It is the most important manifestation of what we set out to do in the '90s (with revenue sharing)," Selig said, "create as much competitive balance as you can. ... The sport has never had this kind of competitive balance.
"When the San Francisco Giants are playing the Texas Rangers, that says a lot. That's great for baseball."
"We'll talk about that in the offseason," Selig said.
Selig said he was pleased with the 10.4 TV rating for Wednesday's Game 1.
"Both these teams are very attractive for a myriad of reasons," Selig said. "I know FOX was happy and we were happy. And 10.4 is a very good start."
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Why not add the top 2 teams from every division and the little league champions to make it a real cluster fu-k. Its all about the all mighty dollar isnt it.It makes the regular season even more point less.
If you lengthen the playoffs without shortening the season you will have an overlap with the super bowl. Thank goodness this years teams are in warm weather climates. I hate watching baseball being played on 30 degree weather!!!!
If they go to Thanksgiving, how are they going to play in the snow or rain?
I can't wait for Selig to retire. This is the same guy that said he couldn't give the Detroit pitcher a perfect game, because that would destroy baseball tradition. Now he's going to make baseball like basketball and hockey where teams that have more losses than wins get into the playoffs. The regular season becomes nothing more than exhibition games. What a joke.
why not just have all the teams make the playoffs?
That would make the 16 game season meaningless. But, then again, MLB is meaningless. Bring back steroids and gorilla juice heads. I miss the home runs.
By the way,its only a matter of time before mexico or some other third world country sues MLB in the Hague court, to be allowed to compete for the world series because as the words apply its THE WORLD SERIES and as such unless other teams from around the globe are allowed to compete for the STEINBRENNER trophy(haha) then MLB shouldn't be allowed to use the word world........autually i'm surprised the japs or the illegals haven't already thought of this
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! Baseball needs to cut games, not add more. The World Series should start never any later then Oct. 1st. This is ridicules. Maybe Selig will come to his senses(if he has any) when a world series game is suspended because of SNOW. May 1st-Sept 1st, that should be the regular season. Football doesn't need anymore games, Basketball(not that their talking about it) doesn't need any more games, & Baseball needs to cut games.
Selig is a money grabbing buffoon.
Selig is a joke. LOL
Once again Bud gets it wrong, we don't need more teams in the playoffs. As it is now baseball has the only regular season that means anything. But letting wrong calls decide games is archaic. Tennis hasn't suffered by going to electronic line calls but the most memorable match from this years Wimbledon tournament was a direct result of not messing with tradition. Get a clue Bud and have some respect for the game and your fans instead of being a money grubber every inch of the way.
When will Saturday Night Live do a skit with Jerry Lewis as Bud Selig?
Two changes that would be good for baseball. 1 A batter is out after the third foul after two strikes. 2 No playoff team can make contract offers to the top six free agents. 1 Speeds up the game. 2 Gives small market teams a reason for hope.
2 more suggestions. Take the gloves away from the outfielders. How many misses do you see with them? It would make the game far more interesting.
When aplayer is ejected let the team play one man short. This is a punishment, not an inconvenience. This wouls eliminate a lot of childish behaviour.
Is this guy nuts?!!! I'm hardly a baseball fan but the season is far too long now & you're already having the WS played at the end of October. Does he want to see those players running around in snow shoes? Cut the season short with fewer days off & more double headers then maybe talk about expanding the playoffs.
MAYBE THEY SHOULD STAGGER EAST COAST AND WEST COAST TEAMS SO THEY START IN WARM WEATHER. THAT WAY THEY COULD HAVE A SEASON LIKE SOCCER, NEVER ENDING BOREDOM AND APATHY
Expansion in baseball . Expansion in football to 18 games . Are they kidding? They will be playing in the snow. How much money do these people want to make . Go to the park you have to be rich . I don't know why the fans put up with the ripoffs. 4-6 dollar hot dogs, 8 dollars a cup of beer. Gimme a break . I don't believe in making other people rich with my hard earned money.But then again, Americans will put up with anything.That's why they get ripped off.
And yet another stupid idea from the man who just can't stop himself from coming up with them. So now baseball will go until Christmas or what? My thought is they should contract teams and play fewer playoff games, not more! But that wouldn't pay out for MLB, would it? And that's what really matters after all. Can we please get rid of this man?!
it all comes down to one word...MONEY. how much more do teams and players have to make.pittsburg not having a winning seaso in what 20 years still makes millions in profit.
If you expand the playoffs, then shorten the season by a week. This move is to make money, and to hell with overlapping other sports.
i dont go to any games anymore to much money they are all over paid