Baseball, soccer style

Relegation could make Expos, Twins worth watching

I was thinking about the sad plights of the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos the other day. (Must have been during one of those interminable NCAA basketball timeouts, probably during another promo for Baby Bob.)

The question I asked was: How people could pay any attention at all to these two lame-duck franchises? What possible attraction there could be? Why would anyone watch a team that probably will cease to exist 162 games from now?

The answer -- I think I found it during one of those weird ads for Cingular wireless, whatever -- was truly simple: The Twins and Expos should be allowed to play for something. They should be allowed to play for their survival.

The magic word is "relegation." Did you ever follow European soccer, even a little bit? Do you know how those people handle the lowest finishers in their major leagues? The last-place teams are dropped a rung -- relegated -- into the minor leagues. The highest finishers in the minors are elevated for the next season into the majors.

Wouldn't this work in baseball? If the Twins and Expos finish last they can be replaced, say, by the Buffalo Bisons and the New Orleans Zephyrs. Or the Louisville Riverbats and the Portland Beavers. Whatever. If the Twins and Expos were to finish higher than last, the Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates or somebody else would be relegated. If would be easy, simple, and everyone would have a reason to watch.

Next problem? World peace. Just give me a few more timeouts and red lights on the commercial road to the Final Four.

Leigh Montville's commentaries appear regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated.

 

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