The NFL has it perfect right now. A 32-team league lends itself to mathematical perfection when it comes to scheduling a 16-game season. Everything about the NFL schedule makes sense, from the rotating divisions teams play against every third year to the six divisional games every team plays to the two games teams play every year against two conference teams who finished in the same place in the standings.
It is why whenever the NFL talks about either of the two things that would wreck this perfection — expansion or an 18-game schedule — it makes even less sense than you think. Are 16 games too many? You certainly could argue that, but the fact is: Football is a dangerous sport. Guys would (and did) get hurt in a 14-game schedule, and a 12-game schedule. And would get hurt in an eight-game schedule, too.
So football can be left alone.
It’s the other sports that, in a perfect world, would turn their schedules over to men with machetes and let them chop away. Not only do MLB, NBA and NHL schedules drag on, they clearly take a toll: Look at how many injuries pile up simply because there are so many pit stops on the way to the playoffs. And look at the mess that resting NBA stars has created (maybe some of them should have rested more, the way they’re dropping).
We propose these things knowing owners and players like money just as much, enjoy revenue just as much, and would be reluctant to part with the dollars that reduced schedules would mean. But for a few paragraphs, anyway, can’t we at least dare to dream of what could be possible if we revamped — and shortened — schedules?
Major League Baseball
Current schedule: 162 games
Revised schedule: 154 games
Baseball managed to survive quite nicely on 154-game schedules from 1901-60 (AL) and ’62 (NL). It may not sound like a lot, eight fewer games scattered across six months, but I never have talked to a baseball player who wouldn’t prefer a shorter slate, even by only a week.
How do we get there? In a 30-team league, it actually works quite well: Play 12 games against every team in your division (48). Play six games against every other team in your league (60). Play three games against every team in the other league (42) except your designated rival (the Mets/Yankees, for instance), against whom you play four (4) times. Voila! That’s 154.
NBA
Current schedule: 82 games
Revised schedule: 76 games
Some want to get especially radical and slice this to a 66-game schedule, but that seems a bit extreme. Six fewer games though? It would mean less of a financial hit. And, as with the NFL and MLB, it makes mathematical sense.
How do we get there? In another 30-team league, this works well, too: Play four games against every team in your division (16). Play three games against every other team in your conference (30). Play two games against every team in the other conference (30). Every other year you get an extra home game against conference teams out of your division. Equitable and fair.
NHL
Current schedule: 82 games
Revised schedule: 76 games
There is so much wrong with the NHL setup, it is hard to know where to start, and that only will be compounded once the Vegas Golden Knights enter the league next year as a 31st team. If the NHL ever does find a city to make it an even 32 — Quebec City, anyone? — this certainly would allow for an easy transition to a 76-game schedule.
How do we get there? In the 32-team league you would play all seven teams in your division four times each and every other team in the league twice apiece to reach 76 games. In a 31-team league … ah, that’s too much math. Just root for Quebec City.
Vac’s Whacks
The more NBA players you see go down in the playoffs with injuries — Blake Griffin’s toe, Rajon Rondo’s thumb — the more remarkable it is just how indestructible LeBron James has been, besides being the best player on the planet.
I know everyone loves to blame someone for everything, but I’m not quite sure how Lucas Duda hyperextending his elbow when a baserunner runs into him — or Travis d’Arnaud’s hand getting dinged up by a hitter’s backswing — is Ray Ramirez’s fault, exactly.
“Arnie,” a lovely tribute by the great Tom Callahan about his friend Arnold Palmer, is an absolutely worthy bookshelf partner to Callahan’s previous books about Johnny Unitas and Ernie Accorsi.
If I’m hearing Jets fans correctly, the expected date for Gang Green to be mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs is Week 3. Of the exhibition season.
Whack Back at Vac
Graham Fox: When Jay Bruce comes to the plate, fans should call out JAAAAY instead of BRUUUCE. Sounds more encouraging.
Vac: It does make you wonder if Yankee Stadium fans in 1927 ever thought of greeting ol’ No. 3 with “RUUUUUUTH” or if they saved that just for Lou Piniella.
Rocco Labbato: No doubt Jackie Robinson’s accomplishments for African-Americans should never be forgotten. But Ralph Branca’s assessment of Jackie was too modest. Over the past 70 years, through my eyes, Jackie Robinson was the most exciting baseball player that ever played the game. That should never be forgotten.
Vac: I think Ralph would agree with you 100 percent.
@coachthee: If you don’t name your fantasy team the Bellicose Beer Barons then you are doing it wrong.
@MikeVacc: That is a distinct upgrade from my current team name: “How’s It Goink?”
Bob Katz: Couldn’t agree with you more about “Better Call Saul.” Best hour on TV. And when was the last time you heard Nancy Sinatra singing “Sugartown?” I can’t get that silly song out of my head a full week later.
Vac: I swear I’ve never been madder to see the closing credits roll than I was at the end of last Monday’s episode. There really is no ceiling with this show.
