Should MLB END American & National Leagues?

Join this channel to access perks ✅ brodie.bz/join
MY AVIATION CHANNEL ✈️ brodie.bz/Aviation
HOME STUDIO PRO 🎥 brodie.bz/Production
📺 Subscribe ➡️ brodie.bz/KZbin
📸 Instagram ➡️ brodie.bz/IG
📰 Features ➡️ brodie.bz/Read
🎧 Podcast ➡️ brodie.bz/Apple
✳️ Spotify ➡️ brodie.bz/Spotify
🐦 Twitter ➡️ brodie.bz/TW
👍 Facebook ➡️ brodie.bz/FB
#mlb #baseball #sports

[@brodiebrazil]

Some other videos you might like: Arizona Coyotes Arena Site: AVAILABLE tomorrow? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHbEp3iDYtuEbq8 NHL to Atlanta, for a THIRD time? (Pros & cons of expansion) 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXLRn3x-Z5J_bdU REPORT: Every MiLB team RE-NAMED Malmö Oat Milkers? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/el7SeoRsirqGp9E Five (frustrating) NHL predictions for 2024 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGXFlH2ah5eUbrs IMPROVED White Sox renderings & possible partnership with Chicago Bears? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWiUinmtjLiIjbs Dartmouth Basketball votes to UNIONIZE, change NCAA history 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGTalKKYp7KJiqM Baseball's BEST story of 2024? (Parker Byrd comeback) 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2PJoGmif5Z1j9E Fanatics CEO gives honest answer about MLB jersey issues 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnW8qpt9g7RoeMk Are Ballpark Villages ruining MLB cities...? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oabHkJdtfKeSnpo Will NHL learn after Fanatics MLB jersey issues? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrdkHdpf7uhf5Y Does "stupid" 65 Game rule RISK NBA player injury, or money? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYqWnWmumc1_iqM NEW: Utah approves ANOTHER $900M for NHL, NBA Salt Lake Arena 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36ulJ6hZbh7ras

[@JohnLee-nn7gy]

When I was a child, 60 years ago, sports casters used the terms Junior Circuit and Senior Circuit. The leagues were different. No interleague, some different rules and different baseballs. Yes, it was rare for a player to go from one league to the other.

[@folofus4815]

As a Mets fan I don’t want the Mets and Yankees in the same division. The subway series is special because it only happens twice a year

[@mattyg4186]

Mets fan too could you imagine, the Mets Yankees Red Sox & Phillies in the same division that’s just purely toxic 😂

[@CaptJP2]

As another Mets fan, I too agree! @@mattyg4186

[@AnthonySpecialeJr]

​@mattyg4186 as a Mets fan, that's why I want those 4 in one division 😂 (tho in actuality, I'd like to see the 8 team division featured in the video... but remove Montreal and add Toronto. Sadly the Expos 2.0 aren't, in my opinion, happening) Because the Mets and Yankees are in different leagues, I care *less* about the subway series. It's 4 games a year. The impact on those 4 games out of 162 is tiny. The rivalry would mean so much more if they were fighting for the same division title, playing ~13 games a year.

[@ES-hr6vg]

That’s just ridiculous.

[@JuanNunez2023]

Not gonna lie, as a Mets fan, I want nothing more than to beat the Yankees in a playoff race head to head. That would mean as much as winning the World Series.

[@jimt9245]

Let's just erase baseball history all together. I was not a fan of the recent changes to baseball, the dropping of the designated hitter or the moving of either the Astros or Brewers. But perhaps that is because I have grown to appreciate baseball in more of the current season. Even in this short video I learned a little more about the origins of the two leagues, which explains why cities like Boston and St Louis once had two teams. Change will always happen, but sometimes change is not for the best. The two league system with the designated hitter and pre-interleague was better than what we get today. Fortunately baseball has grown enough, so Atlanta and Cincinnati are not longer in the NL West.

[@paulsweum9664]

First off, I'm not a new fan -- I go back to before interleague play -- and my fandom straddled between loving both versions of the game when pitchers batted in the NL and Edgar Martinez redefined the DH. I am open to new ideas to make the game better and interested in striking a balance between old and new... however, I have to put my foot down on this topic. This is a perfect example of an idea coming off as "sensible" (in-part, at the very least) on the surface, but not representing the "right" thing to do. Historically, baseball is our national game with a coveted history that's sadly been eroded in recent decades -- mainly with the recent adoption of the universal DH -- which essentially eliminated the game's rules (in the NL, AL since 1973) stretching back to the 19th Century and reminding us of its origins. Interleague play I feel was healthy for the sport, created more interest, and helped to cultivate new fans -- but there's a balance between traditional and new ways of thinking that needs to be achieved. If you eliminate the leagues, you might as well erase a special essence of the game and its history... what are records, be they NL/AL/MLB? Why should anyone care? Is that what we want, to split hairs over team travel (which is manageable under the current format), merge it all together, be cavalier about the history of the game and throw that unique aspect in the dugout trashcan? Well, I care... along with many other fans who appreciate the game, its special place in our nation's history, and what makes it stand out from other pro sports leagues. Separate leagues, and the sense of those histories, is a big part of what makes baseball special, gives fodder for the discussions and arguments that happen across the sport in ballparks, barber shops during games, over the hot stove in the offseason, and brings an ethereal element to the game unmatched by other pro sports on the American stage. To borrow a concept from Ken Burns, baseball is an American heirloom handed down to each generation with its special quirks and historical significance -- something that will only become more imperative and valuable as we roll through the 21st Century and beyond. I believe those who push the idea of eliminating the leagues fail to understand the essence of what makes the game special to begin with. To be honest, this shouldn't be a discussion in the first place, but unfortunately it's evolved into a battle of preserving the soul of the game, trying to stave off the systematic destruction of its traditions, and educating folks on the merits of keeping (some) histories intact, and a big part of that is anchored by maintaining separate leagues. ⚾

[@FAITHandLOGIC]

1. MLB is looking at 8 divisions of 4 teams each like the NFL. I HATE that idea. It's bush league and it will end up with losing teams getting into the playoffs. I like Brodie's idea of 4 divisions of 8 teams each. 2. I also like the traditional AL/NL format. If they change it, we'll never see another Regional World Series again. Yankees vs Mets, Royals vs Cards, Cubs vs Whitesox, Nats vs Orioles, Rays vs Marlins. Angels vs Dodgers, etc.

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

The only thing is the last regional World Series was back in 2000 with the last in-state one in 2002. I think MLB is going to see it as a reasonable tradeoff of ditching something that may organically never even happen again for guarenteed multiple matchups every year between say the Yankees and Mets lol

[@draneym2003]

I've never seen a league kill itself trying to cram a square peg into a round hole like the MLB is trying to become the NFL. It's not going to work. People aren't going to leave the real thing (NFL) for an impostor (MLB)

[@smith041958]

I also hate the idea of 8 divisions for the same reason. There is a way to have a playoff format in which it could be possible to have those WS matchups. Have the four division winners ranked 1 to 4 and the playoff teams ranked 5 to 12, 5 to14 or 5 to 16 depending on how many playoff teams there are.

[@humarmz]

I'm a national league guy and I'm a Dodgers fan. I don't think they would have gotten Shohei Ohtani if that dumb DH rule was not implemented back in 22... just a thought.

[@jamesholt3758]

Agreed!

[@scotttild]

Actually he was originally going to sign with the Giants, but since the NL didn’t have the DH back then he signed with the Angles. I personally hate the DH but they had to unify the rules with interleague play all year which I also dislike. Not really a fan of any of the changes. Some of them are down right a horrible.

[@rockyracoon3233]

​@@scotttild. Ditto.

[@MapleTreeatdawn]

Back a few decades ago the American League umpires used foam shields instead of internal chest protectors. This led to high strike zones in the AL as umpires set up higher.

[@hfled]

I’m a life-long, die-hard baseball fan, and I’m very frustrated with a lot of the changes. I like balance, strategy, and nuance more than just offense, offense, offense. I wish they’d get rid of the DH in the NL and put the bases back to their original size. I have to admit, though, I really didn’t mind the pitch clock and it didn’t seem to hurt the pitchers any, I’d probably keep that. Oh, and the grind of the 162 game schedule with all the travel is also part of what makes baseball what it is in my opinion…

[@tjshultz89]

I want it back to how it was pre ‘97. There should be no inter league play unless it’s the all star game and the World Series. ASG determines home field advantage, and we still keep rivalries intact. NL goes back to having no DH. I hate the idea of the World Series being against 2 teams that just played each other in the regular season for 2 series. They should have no familiarity with each other. I’m in favor of league specific rules to set them apart if that’s needed to further drive a wedge and keep them separate.

[@blazingbattlehawk9626]

I pray that some day NPB and KBO become skilled enough so we can have these once in a lifetime showdowns again

[@giomole]

Putting the DH in the NL was a mistake. Get rid of it so that there's a difference between the leagues again. While we're at it put Houston back in the NL and swap them for the Rockies or a western expansion team. The Texas ALCS was neat but it should've been a Texas WS.

[@hotwax9376]

Here's a better idea: move Houston back to the NL and Milwaukee back to the AL, then we can have a more geographic balance for future expansion.

[@ES-hr6vg]

Pitchers hitting will never not suck.

[@rwboa22]

I would prefer Pittsburgh to be in the AL, much like the Steelers going from the Old NFL/NFC to the AFL/AFC in 1970 (along with Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts), mainly to have the possibility of a "Keystone Super Bowl" (Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers).

[@hotwax9376]

@@rwboa22 NEVER. The Pirates are one of the more historic teams, so they should stay in the NL.

[@blazingbattlehawk9626]

@@ES-hr6vg Why does it matter? Its a core aspect of the game that each lineup has a weak bat and a good strategist will work around that

[@user-jd2vz4my1w]

What is a league identity anyhow? The Dodgers, Pirates, Reds and Cardinals started their histories in the old American Association (1882-1891) and the Braves and Cubs started their history in the old National Association (1871-1875).

[@AnthonySpecialeJr]

New National League chaos realignment: NL: ATL/CHC/PHI/SF AA: CIN/LAD/PIT/STL Exp1: HOU/NYM/SD/WSH Exp2: AZ/COL/MIA/[2032 expansion team]

[@johnpatrickohagan135]

The American Association isn’t the American League though, the American League came around a decade after the American Association folded

[@retstak]

I'd kinda want to stick Montreal and Toronto together -- those cities hate each other as much as LA-SF or Boston-NY or Chicago-STL, but I'm not sure who you'd trade out in order to get there. Maybe sub Pittsburgh into the east and move Baltimore/Washington into the south? It's not quite timezone congruent, but it would be close.

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

I agree that Toronto-Montreal have to be in the same division just as the Cubs and Cardinals do (and by extension with them the Brewers, White Sox, Royals, and Twins).

[@AnthonySpecialeJr]

You could just swap Pittsburgh and Toronto. Baltimore/Washington could stay in the New York/Montreal/Philadelphia/Boston division

[@MountainFisher]

I do not think MLB will ever give a team back to Montreal after fucking them over under Selig and Loria's collusion to ruin them. David Samson was Loria's hitman during the whole deal right into Miami. Only thing he did right was giving their new stadium a Caribbean theme. Even under the hated Loria Miami fans went to "their" stadium. Then sold to Jeter's group and attendance nosedived as they brought the stadium up to their taste of how it should be. 2017 was 1.7 million tickets sold under Loria's last year and 2018 was 600,000 and didn't improve until they spent over $100 million for players.

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

@@MountainFisherTo be fair, Manfred has basically said if MTL has an ownership group and a stadium a team is bascially theirs. There was even league approval for the Rays to split their season with Montreal in their bid to strongarm St. Petersburgh into building a new stadium. I think they won't now because there doesn't seem to be an ownership group ready, willing, and able at this point along with concrete plans for a stadium.

[@MountainFisher]

@@kiroolioneaver8532 That's a pleasant surprise as Selig used the same excuse as Manfred did in Oakland. Not enough attendance caused by the owner who even trashed Montreal's offer of helping to build a new stadium. Oakland's problem has been the same thing, a bad owner, not a bad fanbase.

[@hotwax9376]

No, never. I think the resistance to the pitch clock is dumb, but the history and traditions of the leagues is too sacred to change IMO. In fact, if it was up to me, we wouldn't have every team playing every other team to preserve the separate identity of both the NL and AL. And the NFL, NHL and NBA have conferences that effectively exist in name only for championship purposes, so there's no reason MLB can't do it too. While we're on the subject, I think resurrecting the Expos and giving an expansion team to Nashville would be great, but I don't think it should be at the same time because I think both teams should be in the NL. I'd love to see a 36-team MLB expansion some day, with the return of the Expos and a new NL team in Brooklyn (if they can reach a settlement with the Yankees' and Mets' territorial rights), a third NL team in Nashville, and three AL teams in Salt Lake City, Portland or Vancouver, and Las Vegas or Oakland (depending on whether the As relocation succeeds).

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

"traditions of the leagues is too sacred to change IMO." The traditions of the league were vanquished with interleague play and the universal DH. And with a schedule where you now play every team in baseball every year there's no reason to keep the leagues seperate. I suspect they'll keep the names American and National League but they'll essentially become the Eastern and Western conferences respectively (this alignment also keeps the big name historic franchises: the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Guardians, Giants, Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals in their leagues).

[@blazingbattlehawk9626]

@@kiroolioneaver8532 The history is with the teams we play. I dont give a single shit about interleague matchups. Theyre lame and need to be removed. Its much more exciting to face off against the same circuit teams throughout the season as it makes every season series long and interesting and makes it all the more satisfying when you prove that you are the best team in your circuit. Interleague play has ruined all prestige in league titles

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

@@blazingbattlehawk9626 Unforutnately (as Brad Pitt's Billy Beane says in "Moneyball": "adapt or die" lol). The reality is that baseball is no longer American's past time (the NFL has earned that moniker) and that ratings for nationally broadcast games are down. And now that there's interleague and the universal DH you can bet owners would love to cut travel costs as well as increase attendance for games featuring more games between teams in driving/train distance (e.g. White Sox and Brewers; the Padres, Angels, and Dodgers and all the teams in the New York-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC corridor). MLB has already moved the Brewers and Astros to different leagues. Not a matter of if but when. There's no going back.

[@uhohhotdog]

Nothing is sacred, boomer

[@smith041958]

I love your content. Really great. I saw the same video with the four-division format and came up with the same alternative divisions for a Central and Mid-West as you did. As for a playoff format the NHL had a format from around 74/75 to the early 80s, in which the top 12 and later 16 teams made the playoffs, and any two teams could make the final from any of the four divisions. There is a way to have a Yankees vs Mets, Royals vs Cards, Cubs vs White Sox, Angels vs Dodgers, World Series Have the four division winners ranked 1 to 4 and the playoff teams ranked 5 to 12, 5 to14 or 5 to 16 depending on how many playoff teams there are, and if the division winners have byes for the first round. However, I dislike seeing teams getting first round byes.

[@PfsEmpire]

So many great ideas and suggestions. Here’s one more… For the playoffs, we don’t need an East and West or conferences. However many teams make the playoffs, let the top ranked team play the least ranked team, and re rank them every round. This would also bring a unique aspect to baseball only. This way you will always get the best two teams playing each other for the World Series, and you still have the opportunity for a Mets-Yankees or Angels-Dodgers in the World Series.

[@shaindaman13]

I’ve actually thought about this a lot lately. There’s no reason whatsoever to have two leagues anymore. They’ve homologated the hell out of MLB to the point there is no reason. I miss the days when they were two distinct leagues. The NL, my favorite, was fast, played station to station, steals, bunts. The AL was more about Homeruns and power, had the DH. I always thought every position player should hit. That’s real baseball. They’ve done baseball no favours making them indistinguishable from each other. Now it’s just bland. There’s no reason to have two leagues

[@texascard]

How would the AllStar game work? Would it be East vs West?

[@davidseymour6447]

All-star game. Put all players in one group, and select teams by chance. A pitcher could pitch against his own teammate. He could strike out his own catcher.

[@realalbertan]

​@@texascarddraft style game

[@chrisguardiano6143]

@@texascard USA vs the World would be the format

[@louiscypher4186]

​@@texascard east vs west would only work if they fully embraced the concept and replaced the AL and NL with east vs west conferences.

[@robbyg8104]

I think I'd prefer it if it remains the American and National leagues. However, if a change is made for regions, divisions could be descriptive such as Atlantic, Midwest, Mountain, and Pacific. Or they could be named after people; the NHL used to have the Campbell, Norris, Smythe, Adams, and Patrick. In regards to the DH... I grew up with the good fortune of listening to Vin Scully. He was as much a teacher of the game, as he was a play-by-play guy. Scully would describe the situation on the field, talk about possible outcomes, explain what the manager might be thinking, look ahead to the next inning. When you have a pitcher batting in the 9 slot, it increases strategy... Double switches, bunting the runner over, suicide squeeze, infield and outfield positioning, the surprise hit, drawing a walk, sac-fly, pinch hitter or runner, taking the starter out, leaving the starter in, errors, passed balls, double plays, stealing second, missed tags, moves and counter moves...

[@ultimatemaitai]

What MLB has now is basically no different than the post-merger NFL, except for the "conference" vs. "league" nomenclature. I don't think this is broken, thought I do see merit to the east/west divisional layout. I also like that there are dual MVP/Cy Young awards in MLB.

[@Mr.Ed_Wayner]

Brodie, I totally agree separate MLB leagues don’t make sense anymore. I like your regional set up. But I would separate the 4 regions into 8 divisions. Play the other 3 teams in your division 14 times (42 games). Play the other 4 teams in other division in region 6 times each (24 games). Play the 8 teams in closest division 6 times (48 games). Play the other 16 teams in the two other regions 3 games (48 games) alternating home series every other year. Within regions pair traditional rivals together Yankees, Red Sox but also consider pairing teams with like payroll (pair Mets & Phillies with Yankees & Red Sox).

[@curveball135]

Keep the NL and AL! We can still realign just 2 non legacy franchises without losing the the leagues: AL East - NYY, BOS, BAL, TOR AL North - CLE, DET, CWS, MIN AL Central - TX, HOU, KC, COL AL West - LAA, UTAH, SEA, LV or UTAH NL East - NYM, PHI, PIT, WAS NL North - CIN, STL, CHC, MIL NL South - ATL, TB, MIA, NASH NL West - LAD, SFG, SDP, AZ Play each divisional rival 18 times, play each league rival 6 or 5 times. This is the kicker, make interleague play exciting again! Play all interleague games starting after the NBA Finals, the all-star break is the mid point, and finish interleague play after the break. Lots of 2 games series and provide more rest days during that part of the calendar. Not only does it provide rest for the players, but opportunity to tour the visiting cities and to market themselves on road trips Two 2 game series against your interleague counterpart ex. NYY and NYM, STL and KC, LAA and LAD. Sell the heck out of interleague play in the dog days of summer and get a national broadcast partner to showcase the league when nothing else is going on.

[@michaelleroy9281]

All those newly created divisions sounds like what the NFL has done

[@curveball135]

@@michaelleroy9281 Exactly, you can still have regional divisions and keep historic rivalries without destroying the the AL and NL, NFC and AFC

[@Combatant5]

The NFL did this once they acquired the AFL in the 1950s and 60s, which is how we ended up with the NFC and the AFC. Fundamentally that's what the AL and NL are now. We also already have divisions now. The West, Central, and Eastern divisions. The only problem with having 6 divisions is it makes the championship bracket a bit wonky, but there could be some adjustments made to the MLB's playoff format as have been done. I think things are fine as they are. Plus, you'd likely end up with the National Baseball Conference (NBC) and American Baseball Conference (ABC). Somehow I don't see those trademarks going through very easily--I think I've seen those somewhere.

[@corstiger8704]

I agree. When both leagues became one legal entity in 1999, they became de facto conferences of MLB. Albeit the NL still had their pitchers batting and didn’t use the DH. Also, the use of the DH doesn’t completely rule out that a pitcher might have to hit, even with the Ohtani rule where you can list the pitcher as your DH as well. If you put the DH in the field, as a position player, you essentially burn your DH for that game. I went off on a tangent 😂

[@uhohhotdog]

Don’t need conferences. Just have divisions

[@user-jd2vz4my1w]

MLB and the NFL have identical alignments - one uses the term "leagues" the other uses "conferences." It's all just semantics. The issue is that the best alignment is a coast-to-coast arrangement of divisions, i.e. East, Southern, Central and Western with a rotating system of inter-league (or inter-conference) games, division by division, for one meeting every 4 years. Geographic rivals (Yankees-Mets, Dodgers-Angels, Cubs-White Sox, Reds-Guardians, Rangers-Astros, Marlins-Rays, Cardinals-Royals, etc.) get two 3-game home-and away series every year. The NBA - realigning into NBC and ABC and the NHL - realigning into NHC and AHC should do the same. Giant geographic divisions - like the NHL uses - are not necessary. You get better results with National vs. American, small geographic divisions and revolving divisions of inter-league meetings.

[@NeoTurboManiac78]

Didn't MLB consider radical realignment in 1994 before they settled with the East, Central, & West format? This idea would not be out of the ordinary. The one thing they need to do even without such a proposed realignment, is to do away with separate awards for MVP, Cy Young, Gold Glove, etc. It doesn't make sense anymore, because of the substantial portion of each team's schedule against teams from the other "league". A single MLB MVP, Cy Young Award, etc. would make them more prestigious.

[@arkansasrebel348]

I think it was considered…

[@NeoTurboManiac78]

​@@arkansasrebel348Now that I think of it, the 1998 expansion is where MLB had considered radical realignment, but they settled on the Brewers moving to the NL.

[@arkansasrebel348]

@@NeoTurboManiac78 It might have been…

[@pgraynyc]

I agree with much of what you say but I have a question: Before I get to the question, I’m going to define a postseason as “bilateral” if the teams are divided into two groups (ie leagues, conferences, etc) and there is a guarantee that the finals will be a member of one group be a member of the other). A postseason is defined as “unilateral” if any two teams can meet in the finals. Currently, all four major US sports leagues use bilateral postseasons. (Back in 1980, the NHL had a unilateral postseason which enabled the Islanders to meet the Flyers in the finals despite both teams being in the same division.) Now for the question: Why do you think it’s sacred to have a bilateral postseason system? With wildcards and interleague play, and now the likelihood of eliminating the leagues altogether, we’ve thrown out many traditions. Why is this one any more important? Would it be bad to have two teams in the same division meet in the World Series? (It could be the best of both worlds.. The Mets and Yankees, for example, would play each other a lot since they’d be in the same division, but a World Series would still be possible between them)

[@JoeSiegler]

I have been saying this for YEARS. When we expand next to 32 teams, they'll do away with AL & NL completely. One league. 8 divisions, 4 teams each. 32 teams. The only negative I can see is the players union might balk at that because it means less possibilities for player contract incentives to with Cy Young, or rookie of the year, or whatnot. They COULD keep 'em as ceremonial like what the UFL is doing with XFL & USFL this year, but realistically they don't mean anything anymore.

[@danielspinella9046]

Hey Brodie: I'm an old-timer and I've been talking about this situation for years (almost talked Steve Gardner of USA Today into doing an article on it some years ago). First MLB consolidated league offices and got rid of league presidents. Then separate NL and AL umpiring teams were eliminated. In the past few years interleague play, the DH in both leagues, and now each team playing every other team have for all intents and purposes changed NL/AL leagues to MLB. Period. I predict that within a few years (maybe as soon as two) we will see MLB organized along divisionally. End of story. I think Bud Selig's ultimate goal was to reconfigure MLB along the lines of NFL divisional play. He just didn't hang around long enough to finish the job. (By the way, I love your work on the A's franchise shift. Don't think I've missed an episode. I may know more about this situation than anyone...in Massachusetts!)

[@tmxv-bg8cz]

I used to enjoy the differences of the two leagues: teams from the two leagues facing each other only during spring training or the World Series, players from the National League facing the American League players only in the All-Star Game, National League umpires standing in fair territory and American League umpires in foul territory, high strikes called because umpires used outside chest protectors, the American League as the junk ball league and the National League as the fastball league, etc. The World Series and All-Star games have been watered down with all of the changes. Not nearly as fun to watch any more, and the expanded playoffs diminished the title "best in baseball."

[@cgk1276]

I hate the universal DH still to this day.

[@JanLarson]

I love it.

[@mattyg4186]

@@JanLarsonsame

[@jeremyd1869]

I was for it in 1973. I was sick of rallies being extinguished because the pitcher hitting .130 was due up. Sure, you can pinch hit, but if your pitcher is throwing a gem then he's out of the game. Eugene McCarthy once said you can choose between the pitcher striking out or the DH hitting into a double play. But the reality is the pitcher striking out or hitting into a dp, or the DH maybe hitting a homer or double. I'll take the latter, thanks.

[@JanLarson]

Who wants to watch a player that earned his way to the Major Leagues via his ability to pitch attempt an act (hitting) for which every other Major League player has earned his way to the Major Leagues?

[@scotttild]

My idea would be to have the home team get to decide if the DH is used in that game or not. It brings back the strategy that has been lost with the DH.

[@JuanNunez2023]

4 divisions(North East, Mid-west, South, West) of 8 teams each. You don’t need to be super strict with the regions, you can figure out a way to keep certain borderline rivalries in place. 16 team playoff format. Four division winners plus the top 12 non-division wildcards ranked by win-loss record and other tie breakers. The Division winners face the bottom 4 Wildcards in the first round of the playoffs. Start the season in mid march.

[@markeschen]

Your plan works nicely if the expansion team are both east of Denver. If one winds up in Utah (or somewhere else out west) and you move Denver one division over, things get sloppy with splitting the Chicago and Milwaulkee treams up. I am more of a fan of "Matt"'s proposal at 6:30 with some minor modifications (with Toronto in the east since MTL likely isn't getting a team, and the Cards moving into the central) .

[@vamoscruceros]

Western Conference Pacific - Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, LA Angels, LA Dodgers, San Diego, Arizona, Colorado Midwest - Houston, Texas, Kansas City, Saint Louis, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox Central - Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Miami Atlantic - Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, NY Mets, NY Yankees, Boston, Toronto, Montreal If MLB expands to Salt Lake or Portland instead of Montreal, move Pittsburgh to the Atlantic, the White Sox to the Central, and Colorado to the Midwest.

[@allanhutchins4654]

Brodie, I’ve been saying this and wanting this for a while so I’m happy to see someone with some clout making a video about it. The only thing I’d change from what you said is the East & West playoff format. That is unnecessary. Have the winners of each division be the 1-4 seeds in the playoffs then however many Wild Card teams fill in the rest of the field. Don’t make it rigid for the playoffs. Then you could have say a Washington vs Atlanta World Series

[@TrocarSlushWeasel]

This is a silly argument. Just keep the top-level grouping system as the American and National Leagues, with divisions beneath them. Just like it is now. If you're advocating for realignment after expansion, you don't have to do many changes by going to 8 four-team divisions. You can keep almost all the current divisional rivalries, have reasonably close geographic divisions and only have the Rockies and Rays change leagues. AL Northeast - Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles AL Central - Guardians, White Sox, Twins, Tigers AL Midwest - Rangers, Astros, Rockies, Royals AL West - Mariners, Utah, Angels, A's NL East -Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Pirates NL South - Braves, Nashville, Rays, Marlins NL Central - Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers, Reds NL West - Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

Never thought I would say this having grown up at a time when the NL and AL were competing, distinctive entities. But with interleague play, universal DH, and free agency, the dividing line between leagues is no more. It would seem to make sense to structure the sport according to geography rather than league. More games with teams within one's region. It would enhance rivalries/playoff races, as well as reduce travel costs.

[@samcortese2412]

Brodie, here is my take on the divisions East: Mets,Yankees, Red Sox,Pirates, Phillies, Orioles, Nationals, Blue Jays(no MTL) MidEast: Tigers, Guardians, Reds, Braves, Rays, Marlins, NASHVILLE, Cardinals MidWest: Sox,Cubs, Brewers, Twins, Royals, Rangers, Astros, Rockies West: A's,Angels, Dodgers, Padres, Dbacks, Mariners, Giants, SALT LAKE CITY Without MTL I moved TOR to the East, I then had to move STL to the Mideast, then move COL to the Midwest, and added SLC to the West

[@anonymousdogg1559]

I don’t agree that leagues should be abolished, what I do agree with and would say is unnecessary is divisions, divisions in the past have forced good teams out of the playoffs or even give good teams a worse seed. For example, 2021 Dodgers had 106 wins while the Giants got 107. The dodgers should have placed in the 2nd seed, which would have created a better playoff schedule scenario, giving the dodgers and Giants a shot to go all 7 games in a NLCS SERIES. But no, because of stupid divisions they only played 5 games which was in all inconclusive as not allowing a team to challenge a swing is the goofiest rule in baseball today and I’m a Dodger fan 😂. Get rid of divisions. Not leagues as the all star game is still pretty cool.

[@blakenorquist9843]

Thank you for mentioning there was a fundamentally different strategy between the 2 leagues and not just the pitcher hits in one league and not the other. Also your division of leagues is better than the other guy's.

[@seanmoore9713]

I've been wanting this for a while. I would also take a page from the NHL and have the division winners and two wildcard teams from each "conference." (You could have three teams from the same division in the playoffs.) This creates an 8 team playoffs, so three rounds. They could all be 7 game series and have the entire playoffs in October again. Seeds would be based on record, and reshuffle every round like in the NFL. This makes it more likely that we see the best teams in the end.

[@EdDeadII]

This has been my thought ... Assuming expansion to Nashville and Salt Lake as most likely candidates, and Oakland end up in Vegas. This version even return Brewers and Astros to original Leagues. Cubs and Cardinals was hard, but both are still in same League NL East Braves, Cubs, Mets, Marlins, Phillies, Pirates, Reds, Nationals NL West Dbacks, Dodgers, Rockies, Giants, Padres, Salt Lake, Astros, Cardinals AL East Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays, Rays, Nashville, Guardians, White Sox AL West A's, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Brewers

[@EdDeadII]

This also keeps 2-team markets separate and keeps most rivalries intact

[@AnthonySpecialeJr]

​@@EdDeadII might want to edit your comment, you left the Cards off the NL West list!

[@jeremyd1869]

Montreal probably has priority over SLC.

[@EdDeadII]

​@@AnthonySpecialeJrwell spotted. Thanks

[@michaelleroy9281]

The White Sox and Twins have somewhat of a rivalry can't break that up

[@SP.007]

I've been saying this forever, 2 expansion teams makes it easier. 8 games vs your division = 8x7 = 56 games 4 games vs every other team = 4x24 = 96 games 152 total games The 8 best teams make the playoffs. This way, you can potentially get a world series between divisional teams

[@davidseymour6447]

Here's my opinion. First of all, I don't believe that expansion is necessary. I also don't think that leagues or conferences are necessary. Make six five team divisions, or five sixes. Or expand and have four eights. All first place teams make the playoffs, a long with enough lower finishing teams to fill out whatever playoff plan is chosen. No conferences. No leagues. All playoff teams go into one pool of teams. If you have two teams in the same division that finish with high win totals, like the Giants and Dodgers in 2021 (107 and 106 wins), give them both high seeds, so teams from the same division could meet in the World Series. That would allow the Yankees and Mets, Cubs White Sox, etc, to meet in the World Series. Any team could play any other team in the World Series. The Yankees could play the Red Sox. Any match up is possible.

[@adamhazel8365]

Thank you for all your great videos. Be great if you made a video of the best ideas in the comments. 32 Teams, 8 divisions. 54 division games (3x18). Play each of your 3 division opponent 18 times. 72 intraleague games (12x6). Play the other 12 teams in your league 6 times each. 36 interleague games (6x6). Play 6 teams from other league home and home. Rotating schedule, but keep local rivalries like A's vs Giants, Subway Series, Chicago teams, LA every year and other local rivalries. AL East Yankees, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore Central White Sox, Tigers, Cleveland, Twins South KC, Colorado, Texas, Asterisks (I mean Astros) West Seattle, OAKLAND A's!, Salt Lake City expansion team, Angels NL East Mets, Philly, DC, Pirates Central Reds, Cubs, Cards, Brewers South Braves, Marlins, Rays, Nashville expansion team West Giants, Dodgers, Padres, D-Backs

[@krisrizakis9989]

The term "League" is in name only at this point. The individual league offices were disolved years ago. Purists will argue history and uniqueness are essential to baseball. The DH was the only difference between both "leagues" until it was added to the NL. The leagues are more like conferences are in the NFL. If we get rid of the league concept, I'm all for complete realignment to help with travel related fatigue for players and make it easier for fans to travel to away games.

[@draneym2003]

If Pittsburgh, where I live, winds up in a division with Philly, both New Yorks and Boston...yeesh. They wouldn't even have a chance. Not that they have much of one right now but at least the other teams in division aren't cities the size of these (Chicago being the exception)

[@KevinKnightCanDance]

the problem is that Montreal vs. Toronto would need to play each other more. Western teams would be better if they play Eastern teams 1 time (home and away) [62 Games]. play other div. in your conference 6 games [24 games]. play your division only and (7x12) [84 games] Total of 170 games a season.

[@mityace]

First, I'm 59 and they were still calling the National League the "Senior Circuit" back in the 1970s. I don't recall when it stopped. Short take.Not a fan. But it does reflect reality. My interest started to wane when interleague play was introduced and has been declining ever since. However, I bet a lot of fans in the late 60s were aghast when the AL and NL split into two divisions. If you have four 8 team divisions, just let the winners in. With 8 teams per division, it is unlikely you'll have any "weak" divisions, so just take the four winners in the playoffs. Before the split into divisions, there was only the World Series. It's hard to believe that even a league championship series is barely more than 50 years old.

[@rapalbumdepot7648]

I completely agree with your take on the optimal amount of playoff teams. Since day one the division series has been a ratings disaster and subsequently cratered fan excitement for playoff baseball by robbing the opening round(s) of urgency.

[@kirkwoita8840]

Feels much like what Triple A did post Covid, with Triple A East and West, but they since went back to the International and Pacific Coast Leagues.

[@MrRicklynch57]

Well put together Brodie. The thing I think is next for Baseball is a schedule similar to that of the first Thursday and Friday of March Madness. Where games start at 8:00am PT and the last game will start at 8:00pm PT. They are testing it already with that brunch baseball on Peacock. I think their ultimate goal is to have games on all day, so people will bet all day.

[@justsomeobservations44]

I’m open to some Divisional adjustments but this would be way too drastic. There’s a few core National League teams that to me always need to stay in that league with that name: Dodgers, Cardinals, Giants, Phillies, Braves. American League has to always include the Yankees, Red Sox, and Tigers.

[@jamiee78]

Thanks for promoting the 8 team divisions. This is something I've been hoping for once it goes to 32. Baseball needs larger divisions. Divisional rivalries is what holds the 162 game season together. If the league switches to 8 divisions of 4,it would mean even less meaningful games. 8 teams in a division however, increases the number of rivalries. That's so much more important in baseball because of the marathon season, but also in today's climate where some teams aren't competing in a given season. 8 teams would mean you'd still have 5-6 teams competing in each division. 4 teams in a division could mean you only have 1-2 competing rivalries. Imagine that for 162 games... Im super excited someone is talking about this, but baseball messed this up. Don't copy The Nfl model. Make baseball be it's own unique thing. Thanks again for bringing to the attention of others.

[@lovejoyb20]

I'm not sure I understand the difference (at this point) between the American League and National League in baseball and the American Conference and National Conference in the NFL. Is it really different if you call the American League the American Baseball Conference? The best part of that map? The A's are NOT in Las Vegas. Is losing the World Series matchups really that big of a deal? When did the Dodgers play the Angels in the World Series? Cubs/White Sox? Yankees/Mets? Giants/A's? You can count the number of those matchups on one hand across at least 50 years.

[@chiroguy98]

I’ve thought some about this recently. I like inter league play but Liked it better when it was limited. With every team playing all teams it doesn’t make sense for the areas who have two teams to have two teams. You can see teams from both leagues from one home team now so why bother having 2 New York teams, 2 LA teams, etc.

[@dopenerd]

You knew this was gonna happen. We’re dealing with ideas that we’re hatched up in the late 19th century to early 20th century. I think you’re on to something Brodie, I just think it needs a bit of tweaking before you get everyone on board. My initial thoughts are, if all teams are vying for the same prize, and are using the same rules, then there should not be two separate leagues.

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

Yep. The two leagues were literally two seperate entities (which is the only reason why Chicago has two teams; the Cubs were the NL option and the White Sox were the NL; ditto with the since relocated Boston Braves, Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns). It was like a Popeyes's opening in the same neighbourhood to compete against KFC.

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

Another option is to restructure the divisions like the NFL, whereby you have 8 four team divisions instead of 4 eight team ones. You could still do it along geographical lines.

[@camdogg83]

One minor correction. The separate legal entities lasted through 1999 not until.

[@Andrew_John_28]

Even if it really means nothing, having the National and American Leagues in baseball, just feels right. It’s something we all grew up with, something thats always been a mainstay and a grantee for our game. I understand this perspective, and there are good points made no doubt, but baseball just wouldn’t feel the same without them. That saying, I feel like going back to 4 divisions is a great idea, it’s would finally get rid of super divisions like the AL east, and dumpster divisions like the NL central. Simply put, it would make the game more competitive.

[@justin_wilhite]

I said this when DH and then every team began playing each other. There’s no need for leagues or conferences now. Just ditch them altogether. The top 12 teams make the playoffs, period. No need for silly divisions, conferences, or leagues. The number 1 team plays number 12 and so forth. The entire MLB should be “the league”. It only makes sense now that each team plays each other and it will separate baseball from other sports in determining a champion. Think of the NFL in teams that are 10-7 and miss the playoffs to teams in a weak division that get in at 9-8 or worse. The MLB will curse that getting rid of stupid divisions which have alway been a bad idea in playoff brackets because worse teams do get in over better teams sometimes and it makes no sense That’s my two cents anyway

[@hfled]

I couldn’t disagree more. This not only takes away from the history and eliminates cross town- type World Series, it also eliminates the possibility of fans in one large market from having an NL team and an AL team. For example, you can be a die-hard Yankees fan, but still be a fan of the Mets because they’re in a different league. I also think 8 teams is too many in one division. And what happens when Salt Lake or Portland get an expansion team instead of Montreal (which is a far more likely scenario)?

[@b3ncampbell]

I am not a traditionalist. But I respect where we came from. I also think a leaner, meaner, and (A's fan) greener MLB is best. Leagues need to go. I would like to see a leadership council that would have everyone....including the fans (somehow)....make decisions. Back to the game. I would to see the two best teams play in the World Series. Doesn't matter where they are from. If a team can survive the playoff structure, then let them, "Fight For the Flags."

[@immortaldavid7626]

As a casual baseball fan I'm still always finding out new things and questioning the ways of baseball. one of my biggest question is, Are there to many games? not sure if that's a a conversation you've already had or looking to do?

[@havokan45]

In the early 90's before MLB expand to 6 divisions there was talk going to regional realignment but gone to the 6 divisions . 3 seasons before the universal DH there was talk of when the add the 2 expansion teams going back to 4 divisions and using regional realignment make them East vs West no more AL vs NL could work have see what happens when they expand. USA Today was talking about in the early 90's and the Regional Realignment with 4 divisions and at the time with 28 teams 7 for each division then MLB later the MLB made 6 divisions . The USA Today also had ideas for playoffs to many years to remember them the 2i remember was 1 have the division winner set out a short round then play the other team best of 7 then other division 7 then world series 2 was have the division winner play other division 2nd place team . It was before the expanded playoffs

[@MountainFisher]

I always knew when interleague play started that it would lead to the DH in both leagues, not that I'm against pitchers not hitting. I always disliked the NL "automatic out" of the pitcher hitting and the walk of the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher for the final out of the inning. Need to take the rest of MLB's monopoly antitrust protection away before certain measures get implemented. What Manfred did to the minor leagues is evidence enough for that to happen.

[@darylwille4878]

If A’s stay in Oakland, Giants A’s Dodgers Mariners in one division! If Vegas gets expansion Vegas Anaheim San Diego Diamondbacks. Mets Yankees Phillies Red Sox. If Nashville gets expansion, Nashville Marlins Braves Rays. Cubs Cardinals White Sox Twins. Reds Indians Tigers Brewers. Pirates Orioles Blue Jays Nationals. Rangers Astros Rockies Royals! I will work on this more but this is the idea. Cut down on travel! NL and AL isn’t the same since interleague play and DH in NL! As special as Giants-A’s World Series was in 1989, the chances of it happening again are rare! Having them in same division playing meaningful games would be amazing!

[@scottcampbell9515]

Yes. Once we expand to 32 teams we should have an NBA type model with an East vs West. We can even break it down further to have four 4-team divisions.

[@PilotGates_]

So one thing you did not mention is the Awards Two Mvps Two Cy youngs Two Rookies of the Year, the players and a lot of the fans would not want to see that go, however I would say get rid of the Divisions. With the current play off format how many times have we seen a team that's barely over 500 make it to the play offs and a team 4th in their division with a better record have to sit at home because they were in a tougher division. Keep the AL and NL just remove the E/C/W and have the top 6 teams from each League play in the post season. With the differences to the AL/NL I wished before we introduced the DH to both leagues we did the road team rules (i.e. CLE@ATL they would have a DH that game, NYM@SEA the pitcher would have to hit that game) that way the home fans could see the different styles of baseball and the road team wouldn't have to think too much more about their roster, if you're the home team in theory it should be easier for you to get a minor leaguer to your home park than a road park if needed.

[@eddieajohnsontv]

1. There's no real need to change from the NL/AL format IMO 2. If you do... I like BB's plan, but I trade Pitt & Tor. 3. The real convo shouldn't be expansion but contraction. MLB should remove 2 teams. One of the FL teams should go and Oak (😢). I think that would actually be best for baseball

[@eddieajohnsontv]

COL, LAA & BOTH FL teams should be legit options to ❌️

[@traci635]

Seeing the amount of injuries to pitchers, I'm now fine with the universal DH, but I'm not thrilled with dumping the American and National League and combining them and I'm not thrilled with the idea of expansion. Oakland needs to retain the A's and Nashville needs to acquire the Rays. Keep in mind, the NFL still has the AFC and the NFC.....

[@kevincunningham74]

I know it's going to happen, but I hate this. The two Leagues aren't just a sign of days gone by, it's a symbol of what baseball did that changed sports. Before the World Series, major professional sports were won by...best season record. Not even regular season record, because there was nothing else. It's the way it's still done in Football over in Europe. This is horribly unexciting for everyone. And that way of doing things nearly killed baseball before it began. Follow along with me: Baseball's first attempt at a pro league was the "National Association of Professional Base Ball Players" in the early 1870's. Teams came and went even within the confines of a season, but one big issue was that the two teams in the biggest cities, New York and Philadelphia, wouldn't play nice. If they were out of contention late in the season, they'd stop playing games out west. They just wouldn't travel. And in those days, tickets were the only source of income. The league failed in 1875, soon replaced by the National League (1876), with a stronger central authority that wanted to better enforce the rules. It's mostly made up of teams from the NA, and they decide to invite back Philadelphia and New York, because they're in big cities...but warn them not to pull the "don't travel" crap. Philly and NY do, and they are kicked out of the NL the following year. The World Series fixed this, even if it was accidental. Teams still end up out of it, but it made the end of seasons some of the most interesting times of the season. And it wouldn't have come about without the two leagues. And that "Championship" format has now been adopted by almost every major sport in the world because it is superior, and other sports faked it with their conferences and brackets, but baseball originated it and helped make sports what it is today. All sports. I hate giving up on that legacy. BTW...Brodie, you have the story of the World Series wrong. Let me continue my story above. So there's this young player in the 1870's who plays for various minor league teams across New England. We'll call him Jim. Now he loves the game, and is a leader of men, but never seems to make it successful anywhere. In those days, managers were just players (or ex-players) that everyone looked up to. But he joins one team in the late 70's that would end his playing career, run by a guy named Frank. Frank saw baseball as a business, and he treated his team the way a traveling troupe of actors would act, taking them on the road to make money. He once had his team play a July 4th triple-header...in three different cities. In the era of trains and no night games. Seriously. Under Frank, Jim's baseball career ends, but he learns some lessons in what baseball could be. Now, going on in the NL.. the guys in charge of that central authority, especially William Hilbert, are pissing people off. They want to bring their moral authority to baseball (like no drinking in the stands, to make it more appealing for women and children), and aren't afraid to kick out teams that disagree with them. A few of those teams form a new league, the "American Association" (sometimes called the Beer & Whiskey League). Philadelphia joins that new league...but no team is in either league in the country's biggest city, New York City. Jim notices this, and heads to New York. He finds some partners, uses his connections to get some land to play on (some rarely used marshy practice ground north of Central Park), and builds his own, independent team. They get named....The New York Metropolitans! The Metropolians play an independent schedule and are hugely successful, playing both NL and AA teams...and both leagues want the Metropolitans to join up, to get a foothold in New York. Jim and his partner (John) say screw it! They start a second team, that plays in the NL, and the Metropolitans play in the AA. Jim keeps managing his pride and joy Metropolitans... By 1884, Jim's team is dominating the AA, and wins the league. Jim feels successful...but he looks over at the other league...and he notices that his old manager, Frank, has just won the NL with his team in Providence. I don't know if it's pride, or just an opportunity to make big money with a man who was ruled by it, but Jim reaches out. (I'm paraphrasing here...) "Hey, Frank, I bet you my championship team can beat yours. Let's play a 3-game series, two games here in New York, one out there in Providence, and whoever wins the most takes all the gate! Frank...was not into bets. So he made a counter offer. "We split the gates. And New York is bigger, let's just play all the games down there." Both Jim and Frank are big time promoters, and work with the media to hype the game...and the media starts calling it the "World's Series". So....yeah...the World Series started with a bet. Frank Bancroft and his Providence Grays won all three games of the series. The next year, a similar challenge was made, and for the remainder of both leagues existing, the champions would play and an increasingly awaited exhibition series after each season. The AA failed in 1890, but the framework from that exhibition was in place for baseball to adopt when the American League started to challenge the National League again. But don't worry about Jim. Jim would recognize that the AA was the losing league, and he ended moving across the grounds where the Metropolitans played to join the NL team he created, that played on the other end of that field. It used to be used for Polo, so it was plenty big enough. He needed that, because his team had three players well over 6 feet tall, and he supposedly came in to hype his team in the clubhouse, calling them "My big men! My Giants!" The Metropolitans, abandoned, were sold off and moved to Staten Island, which went about as well as you'd think. They were later bought out and helped staff an upstart AA team across the Hudson River in America's third-biggest city...Brooklyn. That team would jump ship to the NL at the last moment before the AA folded, though they kept dodging have a solid nickname for several years. So...yeah. Baseball in the 1870's and 1880's was a small world, and big dreams. If it wasn't for all of these stories, none of sports would be what they are today. And yeah, I know that the differences between the leagues are minuscule...but damn, I don't want to lose these markers of sports history, because it feels like losing one more than that makes baseball great.

[@emilycade3697]

The National League didn't start in 1875. It started in 1900. The 1875 league had the Hartford Dark Blues, New Haven Elm Citys and Keokuk Westerns. I dare say they were not in the National League I'm familiar with. That was the National Association in 1875.

[@bhouser79]

Gary Cohen has suggested many times over the years he believes the ultimate goal is to geographically align. I agree with you the NL and AL does not serve us anymore - but just like anything else in baseball, tradition seems to slow down practical changes and progress.

[@AnthonySpecialeJr]

7:28 I'd swap Pittsburgh and Toronto for two reasons: when you math it out, traveling is cheaper overall, and you'd have a Canadian division rivalry. For an idea with a western team (Oakland, Portland, or Utah) instead of Montreal, these teams would shift east: Rockies & Brewers, with both Pirates and Blue Jays in the east. Also, call the Western League the American League (representative of the 1890s minor league history of the AL), therefore the Eastern League being the National League. Totally agree with 4 divisions of 8 teams in a radical realignment scenario! 8 divisions of 4 teams will only work if they do a soft realignment like in 1994, where AL/NL is maintained.

[@penguinsfan251]

Before interleague play...the Pirates and Indians NEVER played each other...and only 130 miles apart. I am 60 and when I grew up I thought that was dumb.

[@lucdelasoujeole5477]

Instead of two leagues, split MLB into four leagues: West, Mid-West, South, and East Each League has two divisions of four teams Each team plays 3 games against the 24 teams not in their league, 9 games against the four teams in their league but not their division, and 12 games against the three divisional opponents for a regular season total of 144 games. The postseason would be an expanded tournament in which the division winner and three wild card teams in each league advance and the bottom twelve teams play a consolation tournament to determine the draft order. In the postseason, each team plays their four opponents four times each for a 16 game postseason The top two teams (as determined by best postseason record) then play a five game league championship series The four league champions are then seeded and play the World Series tournament with seven games series (as is the tradition) I think this format makes the game more regional and focuses more on the local rivalries (No way Houston and Seattle should be in the same division for example) I'd further format it so that the 72 game first half is all interleague games, and the 72 game second half is split between 36 intraleague games and 36 divisional games. That the way the first half is a relaxed tour of the country and then the second half things get serious with the culmination being a month plus of division rivalry games. I think shortening the regular season discourages tanking, but having a consolation tournament encourages a little competition and ensures that each team plays 160 or so games.

[@jonsutubechannel]

You gotta make more history type videos like this! love it! I think they should make it seperate again. I think it would make baseball more interesting. I think that we should also go back to DH and maybe bring back some older rules from each league. It would make the world series more unique.

[@jonsutubechannel]

and the all star game

[@Jasontyo]

The new UFL spring football league has two conferences but they essentially have "league" in their name as well ( or at least the L to represent it). The XFL and USFL conferences in the UFL.

[@user-wg4wv7kl7k]

This would actually be going back to pre- 1958 when all of mlb was concentrated geographically across the midwest and northeast. Before the Dodgers and Giants moved from NY to Cali the Pacific Coast League had ambitions of being elevated to major league status. Geographical alignment would essentially create an mlb that would have existed if the PCL plan had come to fruition. Btw call the 16 teams in the east the Atlantic League and the 16 teams in the west the Pacific League.

[@KittyPurrfect100]

If you didn’t have the DH in the NL, Ohtani would only sign with AL teams. If you don’t want to use the DH, there is a part of Rule 5.11 that says failure to use the DH precludes the DH for that game. Or you can have P/DH or DH. Everybody playing everybody now ruins the mystique of the World Series. Remember from 1998 to 2012 two NL teams played a league game while everybody else were on interleague games. I would like to see more Mets-Yankees or whatever makes you happy in a season.

[@seharmon]

I've been thinking about this for the last few months. I agree, the history of the sport is important, but this is a change that needs to happen. I still hate the universal DH, but we aren't going back for a long time, maybe ever. The NHL-style groupings would work well, especially once the next two teams are added. Playoffs could be fine much like the current NHL model.

[@washingtonfootballskins]

Putting the Designated Hitter in the National League sucks. Especially interleague play that made it fun

[@SkepticalRaptor]

I wouldn’t worry about the two teams in one city getting the World Series problem. It is so rare as to be almost like a unicorn (I could only think of the NY vs NY World Series in the past few decades). That being said, can you imagine playoff games that pitted two teams from one city for like the Conference (I can’t think of a better term, but I’m sure we’ll come up with one) championship. It would be huge.

[@Wizardsleave69]

Take the DH out of the NL, get rid of replay. Then start an east and west division that divides in Chicago (Cubs west Sox east). Play about 140 games in only the east or the west. Then take the top 10 teams in the east and the west and play a tournament. The #1 in the west plays the #10 in the east and so on. All teams playing each other every year is tired and doesn't need to happen. Do you think the Marlins want to host San Diego once a year or do you think they want the Yankees one more time. Also my playoff format makes it so any team can play any team in the world series.

[@ES-hr6vg]

Sad to say, SLC is looking more likely than MTL. I used to go to Expo games as a kid. Olympic stadium is awful. I don’t see the city getting its act together to build a stadium. They need a billion just to repair the roof at Olympic Stadium.

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

Baseball is a much more regional game now anyway so the fact that Seattle and the Angels have to travel as much as they do when there are so many other teams in the Pacific Time Zone makes no sense if you have a universal DH. I suspect the AL and NL will retain their names but essentially become the Eastern and Western Conferences. I do agree that the Cubs/Cards would have to be in the same division (meaning the Royals, White Sox, and Brewers would be as well). Only disagreement is I think that Montreal (if they were to get a team) would have to be in the same division as Toronto as well.

[@discodavid26]

If splitting 32 teams geographically would it not make more sense to keep your west coast 8 and the central 8 next to like you ended up with but then split the 16 most eastern teams left over into north east 8 and south east 8 ? Overwise you have more climate difference /travel between Toronto and Florida then even the west 8 even though that covers a slightly bigger area? Other than that the only thing I would add is as a Brit outsider who has an distant like off baseball is the only thing I loved about the old al vs nl aspect apart from the different DH rules was it was the only American sports playoff model ( which whilst is traditional and made sense At formation in the 21st century off teams flying by private jets or charter planes I don’t know why you just would not just adopt the European soccer/sports model off a balanced league schedule and competent separate knockout “cup” competition? ? And then you either end up with a team that wins the “double “ or more likely you have two different winners off league and cup who could still play a best off 7 series World Series ultimate championship but I digress) but anyway mlb was the only American big 4/5 team sport that follows the American regular season into linked playoffs model which could end up with a “final” with a derby off two western or two eastern neighbours playing each other for the biggest prize unlike the others which is always east vs west which is g8 sometimes but horrible when clearly the 2 strongest teams in the nation come from the same half …… if you stay with the unbalanced regular season model and go with geographical separations what happens if you can no longer have an Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees World Series final ? Do you go out off your way to separate the mini leagues you place them in evern though by American standards they are very close to each other and most say they are the 2 biggest fan bases in baseball? Interested in what you neutral fans think?

[@discodavid26]

Mind you thinking about it you could just have geographically arranged divisions still and then when it comes to the playoffs after the 1st round games off the best records vs the weaker ones you then just arrange an World Cup/ fa cup style draw off pairing teams at random for the last 8 and last 4 and then you end up with your final two for the World Series which then means it could still be an regional rivalry final occasionally again .

[@alfredhom4614]

After the A’s move to Las Vegas but before MLB expands to 32 teams, should the Seattle Mariners switch over to the NL West? If the Mariners stay in the AL West, the closest divisional rival will be the Angels which would be insane for traveling. As for which NL West team flips to the AL West, it would have to be either the D-Backs or the Rockies IMO.

[@uhohhotdog]

I don’t know why everyone keeps suggesting Montreal as an expansion team. I haven’t heard anyone from there talking about wanting a team again.

[@user-ei8di1xu8i]

Brodie, we do not have different leagues any longer, no more league presidents, universal DH, no longer different umps per league and lastly inter-league play. The last bastion of leagues are the playoff system. You can still have an inter-city world series. But I still love even ceremonially, have an America (Junior Circuit,) and National League, the(senior circuit) .

[@mariocisneros911]

I think there is too much offense disqualifying the pitchers effectively. I'm an American League guy and grew up when the league changed, but as a 20yr player, i appreciate the thinking/ strategy involved. +don't appreciate half ballplayers.. Maybe 1 day the owners will go back to no D. H. I've been for complete realignment got a long time by creating harder rivalries, but in those 2 central divisions, there is none with cities furter than a day's drive away. ( i liked to see the same done in the NFL and NHL. Add a team in St Louis and 1 in Milwaukee.

[@jamesholt3758]

Brodie Brazil is outstanding in his suggestions. I may not fully agree with this idea, but he makes you think without hitting you over your head with his reasoning.

[@derekhammett8634]

seeing that realignment map, I never realized how far seattle was from everyone else

[@chrisguardiano6143]

I agree with the idea Matt put out there of the regionalized divisions. To make this even more appealing & make it so that teams play more meaningful games late in the season, I would introduce the promotion/relegation system common in European soccer to MLB. This would not only completely end the practice of tanking to get the #1 pick in the draft because the team with the worst record in each division would get relegated to Triple A & be replaced by the best team in Triple A in their geographic region. Because there are 4 divisions under Matt's idea, there would essentially be 4 new teams added to MLB each season if the promotion/relegation model was used.

[@calebshreve16]

Keep the names, but you could make one East and one West. 2 divisons of 8 teams in each (north and south). Plauoff teams are up for debate

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

Yep the AL will essentially be the Eastern Conference and the NL will essential be the Western.

[@calebshreve16]

You could have the top 3 teams in each division make the playoffs and you could keep the same playoff format. Divison winners would be 1 and 2 seeds in each conference

[@stevennelson9504]

these days the AL and NL operate as two conferences of the MLB league.

[@kennethfosco7655]

Once again Brodie you right on with your assessment of fixing the two league problem. 4 divisions no American or National less travel. I liked it growing up and it was 2 different leagues and the World Series was unique not having played each other.

[@bronsonbamnallen1633]

The NFL still does NFC and AFC And you may be missing out on an LA or NYC World Series, but the chances of them meeting in the playoffs is higher, and they would get 20 games a year against each other. Thats a better payoff tbh

[@ErikVOfficial]

Maybe both leagues can come together and buy a VAR room to overturn Angel Hernandez's wrong calls.

[@sabremarky15]

As a Cubs fan, just as long as the Cardinals are with us I don't care how the leagues are redrawn. I dislike the Red Birds, but I sure as shit love our rivalry

[@charliem9831]

I really don’t the amount of inner league games, but I like little bit of it. I like the idea of going to Boston to watch the Mets play.

[@user-kl1tb4er7j]

If they expand, add a division per league. Renaming the leagues to conference makes sense now that both have a dh. I don’t like the East vs West thing. I like how the two sides mimic each other. Some areas only have one team so it’s not perfect but I still prefer it.