Managers Jim Leyland, left, and Mike Scioscia were part of Bud Selig's advisory committee. They probably had a big say in changing baseball's playoff schedule. (Photo by Getty Images)
Two years ago, the Angels played nine postseason games.
And it took them 18 days to do it.
Absolutely absurd. At least, manager Mike Scioscia certainly thought so — and wasn’t shy about saying so. Those opinions probably were what landed him, along with Tigers manager Jim Leyland, on a makeshift advisory committee charged with talking over the game’s issues, and then giving opinions and recommendations to commissioner Bud Selig.
Today, that panel’s work appears to have paid off.
Moments ago, Major League Baseball announced the 2011 playoff schedule — and it’s a welcome sight.
The biggest change: Rather than letting the TV networks drag the postseason out like it’s a season of “American Idol,” the only scheduled off-days now will be the travel days. That means the division series will be over in seven days or fewer, the league championship series and World Series in nine days or less.
And the World Series will end no later than Oct. 27.
Last year’s World Series began Oct. 27.
Barring any one-game playoffs or weather issues, the division series will run from Sept. 30-Oct. 7 — marking the first time baseball’s postseason has started in September since 2003. The league championship series is scheduled from Oct. 8-Oct. 17, and the World Series from Oct. 19-27.
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