Interleague play

Interleague play in Major League Baseball was introduced in 1997. Prior to this year, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Interesting match-ups 3 Pros 4 Cons 5 External Links

History

The proposal to introduce interleague play was not, and is still not, a universally endorsed one. However, with attendance waning as the result of the 1994 baseball strike, it was judged by many that something was needed to stir up interest in the league. Interleague play created some match-ups that had not been seen before, and some which held special significance for geographical and historical reasons.

The first interleague game took place on June 12, 1997 as the Texas Rangers hosted the San Francisco Giants at The Ballpark in Arlington.

From 1997 to 2001, teams from the American League West played teams from the National League West, etc., typically scheduled to alternate between home and away in consecutive years. However, in 2002, the league began alternating which divisions would play which divisions, and thus in 2002 the American League East played the National League West, the American League Central played the National League East, and the American League West played the National League Central. Match-ups which had been of particular interest prior to this format (e.g. New York Yankees vs. New York Mets) were preserved. This is expected to be the continuing format of interleague play.

The Designated Hitter rule is applied the same as it is in the World Series. In an American League ballpark, both teams use a Designated Hitter to hit for the pitcher. In a National League ballpark, both team's pitchers must hit.

Overall, the National League holds an 869-840 edge over the American League through 2003.

Interesting match-ups

There are several match-ups that are the result of interleague play which are highly anticipated and well-attended for a number of reasons:

• Geographical:
  • New York Yankees vs. New York Mets (Subway series)
    • The Yankees and Mets played their first interleague game against one another on June 16, 1997 at Yankee Stadium. The Mets won the game 6-0 courtesy of a three RBI performance from John Olerud.
  • Toronto Blue Jays vs. Montreal Expos (Battle of Canada)
    • Toronto and Montreal played their first game against one another on June 30, 1997 at SkyDome. Montreal won 2-1 on the strength of a Pedro Martinez 3-hitter.
  • Cleveland Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds (Battle of Ohio)
  • Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs
  • Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals (I-70 series)
  • Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros (Lone Star series)
  • Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants (Bay Bridge series)
  • Anaheim Angels vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Freeway series)

• Historical:
  • Boston Red Sox vs. New York Mets
  • Toronto Blue Jays vs. Atlanta Braves
  • New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves
  • New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Pros

• Interleague play increases attendance and interest in baseball.
• Fans can see historic players (like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Greg Maddux, etc.) they might not otherwise get to see.
• Given the special World Series histories between some teams, many interleague games create a special tension and excitement.

Cons

• Interleague play creates an unbalanced schedule. For example, a few National League teams will have to play the New York Yankees each year, while most will not.
• For every Yankees vs. Mets series, there's a less compelling series such as Twins vs. Padres.
• American League pitchers generally don't like taking batting practice for the opportunity to bat in one or two games. These pitchers are also unaccustomed to running the bases, which can lead to injury and premature fatigue.
• Some of the mystique of the World Series dies when teams have a regular season record against one another.

External Links

• Interleague stats through 2002