Thoughts on Designated Hitter

by user Niteowl049

I can't believe the designated hitter rule was allowed to be used in just one league and not the other. It would be like one NBA conference allowing three points shots and the other conference not allowing them or an NFL conference allowing 2 point conversions after touchdowns and the other not allowing them.

The designated hitter rule favors American League pitchers because they can pitch deeper into games without being removed for a pinch hitter because they have a chance to score some runs. On the other hand though they don't get to ever pitch to a pitcher like National League hurlers do so it seems like National League pitchers would always have a lower ERA as a league than the American League.

Seven of the pitchers of the first nine with most home runs in their career are in the Hall of Fame. If the designated hitter rule was in effect for both leagues we would never have seen these Hall of Fame pitchers hitting home runs:

Bob Lemon...........37 homers

Warren Spahn......35 homers

Red Ruffing..........34 homers

Don Drysdale.... .29 homers

John Clarkson....24 homers

Bob Gibson........24 homers

Walter Johnson..23 homers

InsanMajor Leaguer

921 days ago

Score 1

Everyone's desicion on this subject is going to be completely biased on what league their favorite team plays in. I personally think it's ridiculous that a pitcher would hit as well. They should have one responsibility and that's to pitch. They shouldn't have to worry about hitting. The DH also allows fielders to get a days rest during a long stretch of games.

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Tmil42AAA-er

921 days ago

Score 2

That's probably the spirit of the rule, but teams and managers don't use the DH rule like that. I mean, David Ortiz isn't being rested, he just doesn't play a position at all. He's played exactly 22 games in the field since 2005. I don't like the DH, but it's here, and I don't think it's going anywhere.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

921 days ago

Score 0

Good point about players like Ortiz. I realize that now that you've mentioned it. I thought about the Yankees when I made that comment. They alter a lot between Giambi, Damon, Matsui, even A-Rod and Posada a few times.

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Tmil42AAA-er

921 days ago

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That's part of the reason the Yankees are surging right now. Damon's really banged up, so they put him in the DH spot. That puts Melky Cabrera in CF where he has a lot more range and a (much) better arm than Damon. I don't blame Joe Torre for doing something like this, it's taking advantage of an unfair rule. Even though I don't like it, there's a very good reason it's still in place. If there was no DH, we'd have a "Mo Vaughn with the Mets" situation at first base for the Red Sox, and nobody wants to see that.

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Niteowl049AAA-er

921 days ago

Score 1

My No.1 complaint is that it should be or not be a rule in both leagues...not this situation we are in now with the NL not using it.

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IlliniEdVarsity

921 days ago

Score 2

Personally I like the division. I like the fact that when it comes to the series there is a distinct style that you have to deal with. The fact that the AL team will lose one of its top hitters or be forced to play a defensive liability in the field to get his bat in the lineup. That is me though. I am weird like that.

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IlliniEdVarsity

921 days ago

Score 2

Historically speaking ERA drop about 1 full run by going from the AL to the NL. Look at Cleamons. He was about a 4 ERA with the Yankees and then went to Houston and the NL where his ERA dropped to 2 something. Not only do you have one less real hitter to pitch to, you also have a weeker 8th hitter then you do in the AL. Its almost like pitching to 2 less quality batters per game.

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TartanVarsity Captain

921 days ago

Score 0

Actually its closer to half a run

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IlliniEdVarsity

921 days ago

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Is it? I was arbitrarily pulling a number out of my rectum. I have always noticed about a 0.75 drop in era amongst starters. It might just be the ones I was looking at. Thanks for the heads up though

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Niteowl049AAA-er

921 days ago

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My first preference is to not have the designated hitter but if we are to have it let it be in both leagues. Very good point Illini about Clemens. His ERA is 3.65 compared to 2.30 in NL last year. He has given up 5 earned runs in 12 innings this year while giving up 29 earned runs in 113 innings last year. If he keeps this pace up he will have given up about 50 runs in same number of innings

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JuTMSY4Legend

921 days ago

Score 1

The DH is the reason Terry Francona won a world series...its a joke and ruins baseball...drop the DH or at a designated fielder...rey ordonez would have had a great career...

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

921 days ago

Score 1

The Houston Astros definitely miss Clemens' bat.

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Niteowl049AAA-er

921 days ago

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Astros are also missing Berkman's bat this season. Clemens would have seen a lot of his wins turn into losses with this bullpen. Last night the bullpen really tanked.

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Taytay 24All-American

921 days ago

Score 0

The rule is not unfair from a competition point--both teams in any given game follow the same rules, DH or no. But the inconsistency is bizarre.

Insan said one's opinion is likely based on the league of your favorite team. I think that is largely true, but I'm the exception. My Rangers play (if you can call it that) in the AL, but I hate the DH.

Unfortunately, the rule isn't going anywhere. The Player's Association won't let it--too many aging vets are still in the league because of the DH rule. Much more likely that the NL will adopt the rule rather than the AL dropping it.

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RomiezzoLegend

921 days ago

Score 1

Not only that, but it also helps hitters in the AL. Like many people above know and have said, the designated hitter is nothing but a cushion under where you're sitting, IMO. Someone above made a good point about Big Papi, about how he's hardly ever played defense. Another reason why the designated hitter is in the favor of the AL is because of defensive slumping. Remember when A-Rod kept making all those errors last year and people were criticizing him. Torre decided to move him to the DH spot for a couple of days in order to regain his confidence. IMO, I don't think it's fair either. Maybe they can do 81 games with a DH for each team, and then after that, they can switch it to the NL. I think that's the best solution to come up with. 81 for AL, 81 for NL...

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Niteowl049AAA-er

920 days ago

Score 0

Other day David Ortiz played first base and said he could tell he was a lot more tired after being in the field. Bonds should be in AL before season is over if he passes Aaron...think he knows Giants are out of race. Can you see Bonds playing for Yankees...if he played in New York he would lash out at reporters like Randy Johnson if media followed him down the street with a camera in his face.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

920 days ago

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Thoughts on Designated Hitler? WTF!

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