Baseball legend and respected analyst Ben McDonald has launched a blistering attack on Major League Baseball's current playoff structure, comparing it unfavourably to the National Hockey League's format and warning that it's becoming a "gimmick" that undermines the sport's integrity.
From Cy Young Contender to Vocal Critic
The former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, who enjoyed a successful nine-year MLB career and now serves as a colour analyst, didn't hold back during a recent appearance on a sports radio show. McDonald expressed deep concern about the direction baseball's postseason has taken since recent expansions.
"What we've created now is the NHL, basically," McDonald stated emphatically. "It's turned into almost a lottery system where you just try to get in and see what happens."
The Integrity of 162 Games at Stake
McDonald's central argument revolves around the devaluation of baseball's gruelling 162-game regular season. He passionately defended the traditional importance of winning divisions and securing better seeding through consistent performance over the long haul.
"I'm old school," he admitted. "I like the fact that you play 162 games to separate the teams that are really good and the teams that are not."
Bye Weeks and Competitive Disadvantages
The former Cy Young Award contender highlighted the unintended consequences of the current system, particularly how extended breaks for top-seeded teams can actually work against them.
"I don't like the fact that you play 162 games, you win your division by multiple games, and then you have to sit around for five, six, seven days," McDonald argued. "We've seen it backfire on teams."
He pointed to recent examples where well-rested division winners struggled against wildcard teams that entered the playoffs with momentum from playing meaningful games right up to the postseason.
A Call for Return to Traditional Values
McDonald's critique extends beyond mere format complaints to what he sees as a fundamental shift in baseball's competitive philosophy. He warned that the current system rewards mediocrity and punishes sustained excellence.
"I just think we've cheapened winning the division," he lamented. "We've cheapened having one of the best records in baseball."
The baseball veteran's comments have sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts, many of whom share his concerns about preserving the unique character of baseball's marathon regular season while adapting to modern entertainment demands.
