Overall I much prefer NL-style baseball, but I think the one good thing about the DH is that it creates a tangible difference between the NL and AL, which is something that's been lost in the era of interleague play and frequent player movement.
If there was one thing that I should ban from the AL right now that isn't banned already, it would definitely be the designated hitter. My pre-cal teacher said it best: it's like bringing in a designated free throw shooter for Shaquille O'Neal since he's really bad. A pitcher should hit, even if it's almost an automatic out. There are nine fielders who field, and only those nine fielders should bat, unless they're subbed.
The DH was arguably the most asinine move by Major League Baseball. All it has done is create a discrepancy in the numbers between the two leagues so comparing offensive numbers is a waste of time. Furthermore, it extends the careers of marginal players who can swing the bat and do little elase...ie Piazza, Thome, Matt Stairs, etc
That is another good point, Silencer. Thanks, but I didn't finish. You want another reason? It's a waste, and it would seem ethically wrong if you didn't know it was legal. You're putting in guys that don't play defense at all. Take a look at David Ortiz, or Frank Thomas. Their defense sucks. BUT, thanks to the DH, and Kevin Youkilis and Lyle Overbay (respectively), there is no need to worry about that in the NL. There's a lot more offense in the AL. DUH! And people ASSUME that the AL's offense is much better. Take out the stats from each DH and each pitcher, and see what you get. I'm sure they're pretty much equal.
Also, what I hate about the AL having the designated hitter is the fact that there's hardly any strategy either. It's the bottome of the 7th inning, and you're pitcher is up and he's pitching a gem and you have the lead in a close 1-0 game, but has already pitched about 105 pitches. Should you take him out, or leave him in? In the AL, you don't need to worry about that since there's a little thing called the DH that helps the AL teams not worry about those situations.
The Designated Hitter rule was designed to do two things. One, to extend careers that would have ended otherwise, such as Ron Bloomberg and two, more offense. Come on, who wants to see a pitcher strike out three times at the plate?
This was a really good poll, I will have to say no though. But why do they only have DHs in the American League, that really sucks, but really, pitchers aren't that bad at hitting, they just spend more time pitching, that's why they aren't good at hitting... Still I say no...
9,508
17,421
1,387
