Texas Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan greets the idea of Houston Astros playing in the American League West
Texas Rangers President and CEO, Nolan Ryan, endorsed the idea of having the Houston Astros join the American League West circuit. The former Texas player passed his views through the reporters on Tuesday, October 11, at the Comerica Park in Detroit. The living legend voiced his opinion before the Game 3 encounter between his team and the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.
"If that happens, it puts another team in the AL West that's in our time zone, and I think that's important," Ryan said during a wide-ranging interview with the media prior to Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the Tigers.
"We're somewhat at a disadvantage being the only team in the West that's in the Central time zone. We start so many 9 o'clock games on the West Coast, I think it hurts out viewing audience."
The possibility of having the Astros play in the American League seems likely as there are currently 16 teams in the National League and 14 clubs in the American League. The Houston ball team is in the National League Central Division and there are a total of six teams there.
The American League West only has four teams. The idea of evening the playing field would suit the investors and it would make things fairer for the American League West Division as competition would intensify. The Astros and the Rangers would play 18 times in a year during the season but the earliest such a deal can be enforced is in 2013.
The only way this idea can advance in the decision making paradigm is if it gets attention in the continuous collective bargaining session for a rectified Basic Agreement, scheduled to take place in December.
"When [the Astros] get competitive again, it will be a natural rivalry," Ryan said.
The President went on to say that this would be good for baseball and Texas as two teams would be fighting for the lead in the American League West.
The idea of Houston Astros moving to the West Division seems to be the focal point of an agreement being set by Drayton McLane, who is selling the franchise to Jim Crane, a Houston based businessman.
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