In his column yesterday "Three-division system is necessary for Major League Baseball to survive," Mike Abrams makes a weak argument for restructuring divisions and expanding playoffs.

First, Mike says expanding to three divisions paves the way for expansion, which is in the best interests of baseball. Baloney. Major League pitching is already in a pathetic state. Expansion would only water down talent even more. Softball scores such as 10-9 and 9-8 would then become the norm.

Next, Mike contends that expanding playoffs will be an incentive for players to play hard through the whole season. Expanding playoffs is good because it will keep fans interested in August and September since more teams will be in the post-season hunt. But if these multi-million-dollar players need incentive to play hard, which is their job, then something is seriouly wrong with our national past time.

Mike's most outrageous statement, however, is "without (small-market) teams the real teams would have no fodder." I am assuming "real" teams are in reference to large-market teams. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't it been 12 years since the New York Yankees (as large market as they come) have won so much as a division title?

Aren't the hapless New York Mets a large-market team? Didn't the small-market Minnesota Twins beat the Ted Turner-owned Atlanta Braves in the 1992 World Series? Didn't the Pittsburgh Pirates win division titles from 1990-92, while the Phillies floundered in last place?

Even if large-market teams did beat-up on small-market teams, how would simply restructuring the divisions create more parity? Now if small-market teams are to compete with large-markets financially, then baseball need a salary cap, plain and simple.

I have a suggestion for Mike: Why don't you stick to running The Daily Collegian and let the sports writers stick to writing about sports.