New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-17
"Sixteen-Club Series
For World 7itte"- 1rwiu

series on the broader sense should
begin.
"All sixteen clubs should fo,ra I,
this worlds series. Every major lesoas
city should see every other msioy
league team lined up against ia Ia
vorite at home. The world series :,
short, would be free-for-all, in which
all sixteen major league clubs would
take part.
"This would easily be accomplished
in a general scramble of sixty games
Each American League club would
meet each National League club as
well as each rival Of lis own circuit In
two-gsme series at home and abroad
Travelling expenses would be mimi
lied because of the short jumps. Public
interest would be much more Keen I
believe, than is the case through Tho
last months of the pennant struggles
as contested at present.
Clear Claim to Title.
"The major league club tina, won
the most games in this general series
Of sixty would have a far clearer cl,.im
to world championship honors tha, Is
the case after the fashion in which
the blue ribbon is now played. In this
long world series championship schod
ule the commission could make prov.
sion for players pool, too. The nri,,
money might be graded down from To
lions share 10 slight consolation To-
the tailender." said Irwin.
1.-THE present form of world series,
Irwin continued, has bred more or
less discomfort not only with the pub.
lie. but among the players as well
How often do We find stars Of the first
magnitude associated with clubs that
never have a chance TO win the cham
ponship and therefore never have an
opportunity for any of the rich prize
money! This in the past has led %
discomfort carried TO the part Of suls
ing. Late-season trades leave
bad taste always. Many of these might
be directly traced to the lack Of spiri,
by disgruntled stars, jealous OF the op-
portunities of less illustrous player.
who might happen to be associated
with winning combinations.
"Some years ago the world series
was the greatest sporting event Of the
whole year." Irwin continued. 1T was
noticed year ago II had lost some
Of its lustre. This season. while the
crowds in Boston were stupendous, the
same old enthusiasm was not there.
The crowd seemed unconcerned.
1.-THE reason for this, | think, Is
plain. Not since 1910 has the West
seen any part of worlds champion.
ship series. The Middle West, a real
hotbed of interest and enthusiasm in
the days of the Cubs, Tigers and
Pirates, has grown cold through
starvation. The East has been surfeit.
ed. There are major league cities in the
Middle West that have never seen the
best teams of the National League in
action. A sixteen-club competition for
the world championship would give the
fans of every city an opportunity to
make frst-hand observations and COM
parsons.
Plans Appeals to Sportsmen
"As a sporting proposition such g
plan could not be beaten. Luck, over
which there is no control, often kills
a clubs pennant chances. We have the
{ 1916 Yankees as an illustration Of this.
} No team in the country was better
while Donovan was able 10 put his full
strength in the field. Yet whole sea-
son was ruined by succession Of acct
dents. from which the club might hays
recovered in time 70 win world
championship under the plan that
| have outlined above.
"President Ban Johnson Of the
I American League says something must
/ be done TO reawaken interest in the
world series, which, because Of the vast
| financial side, has grown away from the
public.
Nothing, in my opinion, would be
a greater tonic than to play TINS series
/ for the entertainment of all the major
/ league public-to play in every major
/ league city at prices which prevail al
regularly scheduled games. II enane'
is contemplated, why not try this is,I
plan? 1t seems worthy of one years
! trial, at least"