On the Detroit Free Press, Matt Pelc wrote a post today that I felt was very interesting and something that I have always thought about. He posted the question, Should we keep the designated hitter like it is, kill it altogether, or implement it throughout the sport?
I have to admit that over the years I have been warming up to the idea that the DH rule should be implemented throughout all of baseball. It’s just seems to be a reality that most AL teams have stronger line-ups if compared to their NL counter-parts because they can bat ten hitters rather than building a lineup around a pitcher. Now don’t get me wrong, their are a few teams that have strong hitting pitchers, but would you rather have a pitcher worrying about hitting a baseball or focusing on pitching his game. I would rather have a pitcher just worry about how he is going to get the hitters out.
There have been some great hitting pitchers in the history of baseball, and Sports Illustrated compiled a list of the greatest ever, which of course is headlined by Babe Ruth, the best ever hitting pitcher. But over the years I have witnessed a few of them myself like Dwight Gooden, who had 15 doubles, eight home runs, and 67 RBI in 16 years in the majors; Dontrelle Willis, who so far in his career has 13 doubles, six triples and nine home runs; Micah Owings is a career .289 batter, with 14 doubles and nine home runs; and Carlos Zambrano has totaled 24 home runs and 71 RBI.
So based on the numbers above an argument can be made that pitchers should have a right to hit, and they can make a difference in a game, but I would rather see a pitcher focus on just getting the batters out.
Just imagine if the NL had the DH rule, maybe Mike Piazza doesn’t leave the Mets, and is rested more and probably adds more years to his career. Maybe even Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes‘ careers take different turns with the Mets and their return to the field after injuries are rehabbed differently. I just think that adding the DH adds more years to a players career especially if he is utilized correctly.
For purposes of the history of the game, some may feel that it will be a shame to add the DH to the NL, but for purposes of making the NL as elite as the AL, I think a change is needed. There are many arguments against and for the idea, but at the end of the day, teams should consider what is the best way to build a better team with better hitters in the lineup. Good quality pitching does win games, but big hits in key spots drives in runs.
(Photo Credits: Matthew Emmons, US Presswire, John Iacono/SI and
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Personally, I don’t like the DH rule because of how it impacts the strategy element of the game.
It changes how a lineup is constructed: 8th place hitters need to try and “clear the order”, sometimes lead-off hitters need to buy some time for the pitcher to rest if there’s 2 outs when they come up. Of course, pinch-hitting for the pitcher late in the game – which also affects how the bench is put together in the NL compared to the AL.
It also makes it harder for a pitcher to intimidate hitters by pitching inside or throwing at the hitter, knowing they could take retaliation when they come to the plate.
Also, on principal, I like the idea of all players on the field having to participate in the defensive and offensive sides of the game. Although in some other sports (e.g. football) that isn’t the case.
I hate watching NL baseball when the eighth place hitter and the pitcher bat. It is boring watching a pitcher trying to hit the baseball and later if he does get on which is rarely trying to run the bases. As for the AL, baseball is more exciting as the eighth place hitter is a much better hitter than the one in the NL. So for the two to three innings of a game I usually keep busy doing something else around the house or change the channel. Hopefully in the near future the NL will wake up and adopt the DH.
Please God no… not the DH. If I was ever made Commissioner and was allowed one ruling that ALL must live by it would be the removal of DH from baseball.