World Series Needs a Name Change

We know a few things about the World Series in 2010. The event didn't get its name from a newspaper, it will get absolutely ca-lobbered by the NFL ratings-wise if the Yankees and Red Sox aren't involved and it's going to be concluded in November because, you know, seven months just isn't long enough for a Major League Baseball season. As we get ready to say sayonara to another MLB season, it's time to really examine this whole World Series business; not the length of the series or when it's played, but the event's name.

That's right. It's time to finally change the name of the World Series.

In reality, there's only one reason to keep the "World Series" name. Everybody knows the name and is familiar with it. The same could be said for "WWF," "WB" and "Chad Johnson." These names mean absolutely nothing today. That's how it would be with the World Series after a decade or so. My reasons for giving the World Series a new name far outweigh the whole "tradition is great" argument.

Why the World Series needs a new name #1: No more stupid jokes/comments

OK we get it. The World Series features two professional sports teams located in (North) America. Stop with the whole "the US is so arrogant it calls a series between Texas and San Francisco a "World" Series LOL!" comments. They weren't funny in 1950. They aren't in 2010. Never having to hear somebody make one of these "witty" comments ever again is reason enough to give the World Series any other name.

Why the World Series needs a new name #2: Better alternatives

The World Series is the worst name of any championship series/game in North American sports. Stanley Cup Final includes the name of the greatest trophy arguably in all of pro sports. NBA Finals sounds like an epic conclusion to something major. Super Bowl is synonymous with Sam Spence tunes, record breaking TV ratings and bad assery all around. World Series makes me think of a 1990s SEGA Genesis game.

You don't even have to put together a committee to rename the World Series. The new name is already used by millions of fans and journalists. Fall Classic is far more epic and accurate than World Series. Think about it. Fall Classic. Sounds like something you couldn't possibly forget ten years down the line. The 2002 World Series went seven games and I can't remember a thing about it.

Why the World Series needs a new name #3: Death to the World Baseball Classic

Once the name Fall Classic is in place, Major League Baseball will have to come up with something far more original than World Baseball Classic. Here's a hint, guys. Nothing that started up in 2006 can be called "Classic" yet. Nothing that nobody will be talking about 50 years after the fact can be called "Classic." What name do I suggest? Glad you asked.

Why the World Series needs a new name: WBC can become a true World Series

The WBC as it is right now may be the most pointless international sports competition on earth. Once the World Series officially becomes the Fall Classic and the WBC becomes the World Series, the event can be tweaked into something that's actually awesome. Get rid of the national teams once and for all, and have the four/eight (whatever you want) best MLB teams face off in a similar tournament against the top four/eight clubs that aren't in MLB in an early spring or late fall event.

I don't want to read a single "this would interfere with the standard MLB regular season" rebuttal to this idea. Soccer clubs from around the world, including MLS, do this sort of thing every season. They play "friendlies" and cup matches in the middle of their seasons without it hurting those clubs or the leagues they're in. If anything, these tournaments spread good will and bring new fans to those clubs and the sport. This could be the WBC with one simple change.

What a difference a name makes.

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