Angels Can’t See Game’s Silver Lining Realignment Would Only Pull The Plug On Tradition, Players Say

While Anaheim Angels executives embrace a proposed realignment that would abolish the National and American leagues as we know them today, several skeptical players ridicule the geographic divisions.

The makeup would group the Angels with the four other California teams and the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.

“That’s in a utopian society where all the stars line up,” shortstop Gary DiSarcina said. “I can’t see the players going for that.”

It is a bit curious for the players to cast themselves as guardians of tradition, since they refuse to abandon the designated hitter, but pitcher Mike James said baseball can advance into the 21st century without wholesale swapping of divisions and leagues.

“That’s absurd,” James said. “I think it will hurt the game more than help the game. I don’t think the game is that bad right now to put the Braves in the American League.”

Angels management points to two sellout crowds against the Dodgers as evidence fans want to see more games against geographic rivals. The players point to empty seats at Lakers-Clippers games as evidence too many of those games spoil the attraction.

“More isn’t always better,” James said. “Sometimes it’s just more.” xxxx
ON DECK Today: Chicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners, 7:05 p.m. TV: FSN, WGN