Interleague play is upon the Tigers and the rest of Major League Baseball. However there is one Tiger who isn’t happy about the idea of having to play in National League parks and that Tiger is manager Jim Leyland. 
According to Tom Gage of the Detroit News, Leyland says that the whole concept of interleague play has worn off on him and has run its course.
Leyland finds it unfair to American League teams to have to travel to National League parks and play back-to-back series’ like the Tigers will have to do next month when they head out west to Colorado then over to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers.
Leyland said it’s “ridiculous” and “totally unfair” for an American League club to have to play consecutive series in National League ballparks.
“And that you can quote me on,” he said. “They ought to look into it.”
“I’m on the (Commissioner’s) committee, and I’ll probably get a phone call,” said Leyland, “but I don’t really care. That’s totally ridiculous.”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “And let me emphasize this, it originally was a tremendous idea. But it’s not really doing what it’s supposed to do.
“There are no rivalries for most of the teams. I’m sure it helps the White Sox a little bit when they host the Cubs, but it doesn’t help at Wrigley Field. The Cubs pack it most of the time anyway. The Yankees also pack their place most of the time.”
It seems as though Leyland has more of a problem with the rules and not necessarily interleague play stating that no other sport has plays with different rules (regarding the DH) and that all rules should be the same.
There is a slight advantage for National League teams playing at home. They get the benefit of having a pitcher hit that has seen more action at the plate throughout the year. Things are on a more level playing field at American League parks when both teams have the benefit of utilizing the DH.
I’ve always enjoyed interleague play and seeing my favorite teams playing in the opposing leagues park. Not to mention its kind of refreshing seeing new teams from time to time instead of an abundance of divisional opponents. Aside from that I don’t see baseball changing its rules regarding the DH anytime soon either. Many baseball purist out there enjoy the old school hitting pitcher while a lot of progressive fans enjoy the DH. With that said it’s probably best baseball keeps things the way they are.
Source: Detroit News
