In both Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL), the first round of the playoffs is often referred to as the “Wild Card” round. But have you ever wondered why it’s called that? The term “Wild Card” has an interesting history and serves an essential purpose in the structure of these leagues’ postseason formats.
The Origins of the Wild Card
The concept of the “Wild Card” in sports dates back to the 1960s in the NFL, and it was later adopted by MLB in the 1990s. The term originally comes from card games, where a wild card can be used as any other card, adding unpredictability to the game. In sports, a Wild Card team is essentially a team that did not win its division but still qualified for the playoffs, making it an “unpredictable” entry.
Why the Wild Card Exists
The Wild Card was introduced to make the postseason more inclusive. Prior to its existence, only division winners would advance to the playoffs, meaning teams that had excellent records but fell short of winning their division were left out. Adding a Wild Card team gives more franchises a chance to compete for a championship, increasing fan engagement and keeping more teams in contention during the regular season.
In both MLB and the NFL, the Wild Card system ensures that the best teams, regardless of division standings, have an opportunity to prove themselves in the playoffs. This format allows for greater competition and often adds an extra layer of unpredictability, as lower-seeded teams can sometimes go on deep playoff runs.
The Wild Card in the NFL
The NFL introduced the Wild Card round in 1970, following the merger of the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL). The merger created more teams and divisions, making it necessary to expand the playoffs. The Wild Card was a way to include additional teams that performed well during the regular season but didn’t win their respective divisions.
Currently, each conference (AFC and NFC) sends four division winners and three Wild Card teams to the playoffs. The division winners are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, while the Wild Card teams are selected based on their overall records. These Wild Card teams enter the playoffs in a do-or-die round, facing higher-seeded opponents in hopes of advancing further.
The Wild Card round in the NFL is known for its excitement because it often features underdog teams taking on the top division champions. In many cases, Wild Card teams have defied expectations, with some even winning the Super Bowl—such as the 2007 New York Giants and the 2010 Green Bay Packers.
The Wild Card in MLB
Major League Baseball implemented the Wild Card in 1994 as part of an expanded postseason format. The addition of the Wild Card gave teams that didn’t win their division a second chance to compete for a championship. Originally, there was only one Wild Card team per league, but MLB has since expanded the format, allowing for multiple Wild Card teams and a dedicated Wild Card round.
In today’s MLB format, the Wild Card round often features two teams from each league (American and National), who face off in a short series for the right to advance. This setup adds more drama to the postseason, as teams have to battle through a sudden-death or short series scenario to keep their championship hopes alive.
Like the NFL, MLB has seen Wild Card teams achieve great success, with some even going on to win the World Series, such as the 2004 Boston Red Sox and the 2019 Washington Nationals.
Why the Term “Wild Card”?
The term “Wild Card” was chosen because these teams don’t follow the traditional path of division winners. They are, in a sense, unpredictable additions to the playoffs—teams that didn’t win their divisions but are given a chance to make an impact. This makes them “wild cards” in the postseason, where they can surprise everyone with a deep run or bow out early, depending on how the games unfold.
The Wild Card concept also emphasizes the idea of opportunity and redemption. Even if a team wasn’t the best in their division, their overall performance throughout the season still merits a shot at the title, which adds to the drama and excitement of both leagues’ playoffs.
The Impact of the Wild Card on Sports
The Wild Card system has had a profound impact on the postseason in both the NFL and MLB, making the playoffs more competitive and unpredictable. Teams that would have been eliminated under older formats now have a chance to compete for the championship, leading to some of the most memorable moments in sports history.
As fans, we are treated to the excitement of seeing underdogs take on top teams, knowing that in the world of Wild Card playoffs, anything can happen. This unpredictability is part of what makes both the MLB and NFL postseasons must-watch events.
In conclusion, the “Wild Card” in the NFL and MLB is a term that reflects the unpredictable nature of sports, giving a second chance to teams that didn’t win their division but still have the potential to achieve greatness. The introduction of Wild Card teams has expanded the playoff fields, creating more opportunities for thrilling upsets and unforgettable championship runs.
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.