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ihatewalks: Thanks Manny. I agree with you; I'm a new-traditionalist who likes Interleague play. I don't like a lot of what Bud Selig has done (mostly with respect to the Nationals), but I agree that the way Interleague play is set up is nice.

In your opinion, is the American League better than the National League? By that I mean, is that league filled with more skilled players overall? In a story that ran last week on the Boston Globe website Tony Massarotti lists "Five reasons why the Red Sox dominate in Interleague play." #5 is, curtly, "The NL stinks." You get to see a lot more of the NL than most people, what do you think?

Manny Acta: ihatewalks, I would like to point out that I also dislike walks (I try not to use the hate word in my vocabulary)... Now to answer your question, it has been an old debate and I have my own way to look at it.

1- As I mentioned before, the AL clubs are designed around 9 hitters, and the DH is a big time part of their line up. In the NL that ninth hitter is a back up player in our league. Also since the AL revolves a lot around hitting, the teams try to load themselves up with power arms or the best pitchers available in the free agent market. In the AL there are no breaks for the pitchers; but in the NL once you get to the eighth hitter, you can catch a break by pitching around him and get to the pitcher--or like it happens many times, a pitcher gets himself in a big jam with two outs, but the pitcher is up, so he's basically saved by the bell.

2- I know you are talking in general, but certain clubs in the AL are not better than the Phillies, Mets(when healthy), Dodgers...etc.

3- The Red Sox do well in Interleague because they are a flat out powerhouse, a very good team regardless of where they play. They are the best team that we've seen so far. They also have the resources and they have made smart decisions to give themselves a solid rotation, an over-powering bullpen, a good offense, good defense, a great bench (loaded with guys that just last year played every day for other clubs). So, to me these are the reasons they are so good rather than thinking that the NL stinks.

natsfan1a: How about if we keep interleague play, but lose the DH entirely? I think that ship has sailed. Also, I second Steve's comment - (Steve said: Manny, you're doing a great job, I hope you'll be with us when the club is rebuilt and competing for a pennant in the NL East!)

Manny Acta: natsfan1a, LOL... I can't see them making any changes. I like the NL games better because of the strategies and decision making.

Dave M: I took my 3 &4 year olds to their first game at Nats Park. It was awesome (especially when Dunn hit the grand slam)! I heard some B-more fans commenting saying they could have added more seats and that is the problem with Camden. There were picnic tables at the top of our section and it was perfect for us to enjoy lunch and then move down to our seats for the game. I can't possibly tell you how much I enjoyed eating my food as opposed to wearing it, which is likely the case when trying to eat in our seats. Job well done! A Great experience.

Manny Acta: Dave M., You are right on. I don't have the opportunity to sit in the stands and watch the game, but I walked around the stadium during the Fan Fest and I love the set up.

Dublin Dave: All are pretty good parks but you missed the best one. Fenway Park. All these new parks are cookie cutters and there isn't much difference. Give me one with history, a great fan base, the Green Monster and a True event every single game.

Manny Acta: Dublin Dave, I was only mentioning some of the new ones, but I can tell that you belong to "The Nation." I tend to disagree with you about the new parks--they aren't cookie cutters. Those have disappeared (San Diego, Philly, St. Louis, Cincy, etc.) Fenway Park is one of a kind, but is probably loved more by the fans than the players on the field. The players love the atmosphere and the fans, but the facility is actually very old and uncomfortable.

Thanks for your comments. Keep them coming...

-MA