Making the playoffs in this era really meant something
December 6, 2024
Making the playoffs in this era really meant something
17 comments
I realize that everyone is a fan of what it was like during their formative years, but for me, early-mid 80s baseball (and baseball cards) was the best. Only two teams made the playoffs in each league, and you were so proud if your team made it.
Had all the pendants on my bedroom wall too
What is the optimal number of playoff teams so that the season has the largest amount of important games (games between teams that have neither clinched nor been eliminated from the playoffs)?
If there are too few playoff teams, teams can count themselves out early in the season and when they play other teams like themselves, the games become meaningless. And when there are too many playoff teams, the same thing occurs, but with teams that have already guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
This season, the White Sox were probably eliminated **later** in the season than they were the year or two before, simply because there were more teams in the playoffs. Similarly, the Yankees probably clinched a spot in the playoffs earlier in the season than a few years ago. Another question: **What number of teams would move these two dates (CWS elimination; NYY clinch) closest together on the calendar? Is there a number of playoff teams that creates a single day (say 80% of the way through the season; September 1st) when the playoffs become set? Is the goal to make September 1st the day the playoffs are set? If so, how many playoff teams should there be to make September 1st the date the playoffs are set?**
I think the 10 teams total, two wildcards per league era was best. You need wildcards so teams aren’t out just because a team is running away with the division and you need two wildcards for the same reason plus making them play in an extra round
19ยข! I’ll take two of each!
I had all of these. Put them on my bedroom door. A couple years later pulled them off and it took the wood off with them. Dad wasn’t happy. I covered it up with a poster of David Lee Roth shirtless tied up in bondage. Didn’t make dad any happier. It was a different time back then.
Cooooooooolllllll!!!!!!!!
It always blows my mind a little seeing the Braves in the west.
Pick N Save!!!!!!
I know why Houston switched to the AL, but why did Milwaukee switch to NL?
Cubs and Mets were big rivals in the old NL East. Still have my 1989 NL East champs hat. That history lives on too. They sold replicas of the same hat at Wrigley this year.
I had these! I put the Orioles on my notebook since they are my team. Gave my sister the Yankees sticker, and I think she ate it or something.
Only 4 teams and you start immediately on the LCS. Plus, Milwaukee in the AL and Houston in the NL, like God intended.
I hate pissburgh but I do miss having them in the division to have our cross-state derby.
Every division gets a MLB sticker except for AL West
17 comments
I realize that everyone is a fan of what it was like during their formative years, but for me, early-mid 80s baseball (and baseball cards) was the best. Only two teams made the playoffs in each league, and you were so proud if your team made it.
Had all the pendants on my bedroom wall too
What is the optimal number of playoff teams so that the season has the largest amount of important games (games between teams that have neither clinched nor been eliminated from the playoffs)?
If there are too few playoff teams, teams can count themselves out early in the season and when they play other teams like themselves, the games become meaningless. And when there are too many playoff teams, the same thing occurs, but with teams that have already guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
This season, the White Sox were probably eliminated **later** in the season than they were the year or two before, simply because there were more teams in the playoffs. Similarly, the Yankees probably clinched a spot in the playoffs earlier in the season than a few years ago. Another question: **What number of teams would move these two dates (CWS elimination; NYY clinch) closest together on the calendar? Is there a number of playoff teams that creates a single day (say 80% of the way through the season; September 1st) when the playoffs become set? Is the goal to make September 1st the day the playoffs are set? If so, how many playoff teams should there be to make September 1st the date the playoffs are set?**
I think the 10 teams total, two wildcards per league era was best. You need wildcards so teams aren’t out just because a team is running away with the division and you need two wildcards for the same reason plus making them play in an extra round
19ยข! I’ll take two of each!
I had all of these. Put them on my bedroom door. A couple years later pulled them off and it took the wood off with them. Dad wasn’t happy. I covered it up with a poster of David Lee Roth shirtless tied up in bondage. Didn’t make dad any happier. It was a different time back then.
Cooooooooolllllll!!!!!!!!
It always blows my mind a little seeing the Braves in the west.
Pick N Save!!!!!!
I know why Houston switched to the AL, but why did Milwaukee switch to NL?
Cubs and Mets were big rivals in the old NL East. Still have my 1989 NL East champs hat. That history lives on too. They sold replicas of the same hat at Wrigley this year.
I had these! I put the Orioles on my notebook since they are my team. Gave my sister the Yankees sticker, and I think she ate it or something.
Only 4 teams and you start immediately on the LCS. Plus, Milwaukee in the AL and Houston in the NL, like God intended.
I hate pissburgh but I do miss having them in the division to have our cross-state derby.
Every division gets a MLB sticker except for AL West
Gotta get the West to get that AL sticker!
Love that old Astros Logo