LAS VEGAS -- The Twins might go down in history as the last major league team to lose a coin toss.
Baseball's general managers have unanimously approved a change in how home-field advantage is awarded for tie-breaker games, and the proposal could be implemented this season. Because of a coin flip, the Twins, despite a 10-8 record against the Chicago White Sox last season, had to travel to USCellular Field for the one-game playoff to determine the AL Central champion last September. Minnesota lost 1-0.
Under the new plan, head-to-head records would be used to break two-team ties and determine where playoff games would be played. Procedures to break three- and four-team ties, and additional tie-breakers if head-to-head records are also tied, are being finalized.
Despite being the beneficiary of the coin flip this season, the White Sox proposed the rule change, Twins general manager Bill Smith said. The Twins, though they obviously support the change, did not speak in favor of it "because I didn't want anybody to think this was in any way sour grapes," Smith said. "We had our chance to win, and we didn't do it."
-- Phil Miller
