Earlier this week, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig formed an advisory committee to consider rule changes. Selig has stated that there will be “no sacred cows,” and Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has openly wondered if the committee might suggest an end to the designated hitter rule in the American League.
The designated hitter rule was added for the American League in 1973 as a way to increase offense and, as a result, attendance. Predictably scoring did increase (by approximately 29%) in 1973.
But to say the designated hitter has not been embraced by all baseball fans is quite an understatement. It is unquestionably the most hotly debated topic in baseball over the past 35 years. Neither league seems to have much interest in volunteering to change, which means for now baseball will continue to be the only major professional sport to play under more than one set of rules.
Proponents of the DH rule will point out that the rule accomplishes what it set out to do, increase offense. And more offense equals more excitement for fans. The MLB Players Union also strongly favors the rule as it allows older players who are no longer proficient in the field a chance to continue playing when they may otherwise be forced into retirement (think Edgar Martinez or Frank Thomas).
Those opposed to the rule counter that the DH eliminates some of the strategies that make baseball so exciting. When a pitcher is pitching well late in a game and comes to the plate, should the manager keep him in the game or remove him for a better offensive option? Additionally offense has increased tremendously since the early 1970s, so many will argue that the rule is no longer needed to serve it’s intended purpose.
Naturally most fans of American League teams are in favor of the designated hitter rule while most fans of National League teams are opposed. What is you opinion? Is it time for baseball to make one rule for both leagues? If so, should the DH be eliminated or expanded?
As for me I am torn. I think Frank Thomas should be a first ballot hall of famer and he could have played 1st base longer had they not had the option of DHing him. Yes the DH is not the original intent of the game but there is no way it will be removed. It is too much part of the culture of baseball. Fair weather fans don’t want to see pitching duels they like slugfests. Right now the DH is really the only thing that separates the two leagues. The lines have been blurred so much with interleague play that this stands out as one of the defining factors. If anything I bet the NL adds the DH before it is taken away. Sluggers just bring too much money.
Not having a DH is like saying you don’t want to see BOMBS from players like matt stairs…its just not logical to get rid of it
It ultimately comes down to money. The DH should stay even though it takes away from the purity of our pastime. TCP is right, it isn’t logical to get rid of it and it definitely adds some flare to interleaugue play getting to watch some of the NL teams getting to use the DH as well as AL pitchers having to bunt/hit.
Thanks for the post Jeff. The DH is truly one of the most debated issues in baseball. I prefer the strategy behind National League ball as I love to see managers play a chess match in the late innings with double switches, pinch runners, pinch hitters, etc. It truly allows a manager to utilize his bench and keep the manager on the other side of the dugout guessing. While I like to see home runs like any fan, I am of the minority who would rather see a pitchers duel over a slugfest any day. Lets face it baseball isn’t just about hitting. The defensive side of the game has taken a step back. If a guy like Matt Stairs, who is best served on the softball field hitting the ball into a cornfield, can’t play defense anymore should we really reward him for not being able to play the field? Why did it take until 1973 to bring the DH to the game? They didn’t need it all the previous years and the game survived quite fine. The game of baseball needs to make a decision on the DH. It needs to either be instituted in both leagues or done away with for good.
By the way I do love Matt Stairs!
I think it is interesting that Matt Stairs is the name being discussed since he’s been on Philadelphia (and therefore not a DH) the past two seasons.
I don’t have time now but I’ll be interested later to crunch some numbers and see just how much more scoring the DH actually produces. I know the NL has regularly scored more overall runs than the AL this decade, but certainly that has a lot to do with there being two more NL teams than AL teams.
Also I’m in Ryan’s minority. I love pitchers duels (probably because the Reds pitching staff has been involved in so few during my lifetime!) I would prefer to watch a no-hitter over a 10 HR game any day of the week.
As an American League guy, I’m okay with the status quo.
So what if both leagues are different.
One of the best things about baseball is debating about baseball. It’s fun to say “My NL is better than your AL because there is so much less strategy in the AL with the DH. Stairs should know it’s time to leave and hit the minor league circuit as a bench coach.”
Or…”The DH needs to be there…who wants to see some lame starting pitcher swing a bat (excluding Big Z and M Hampton of course)? It is way better to see the likes of Thome taking those long swings a couple of times a game. And do you really want your ace hurt trying to run the bases?”
If nothing else, leaving the DH as is continues to generate conversation and interest in the debate. Not to mention a whole lot of sports fans employed as “analysts”.
I agree with Scott. I am a national league guy, but have never been bothered by the DH issue. It is a good debate.
The DH is a beautiful thing…it sells tickets…imagine if “The Babe” could have been a DH for the last part of his career, he may still be the HR king (even though he still is in the hearts and minds of most)…Hitting a baseball is the toughest thing to do in sports so you have to have a spot in baseball to reward the guys that can hit the ball hard consistently but may lack ability in the field
Just to follow up on an earlier comment I made, if my math is correct (I hope it is since I’m a math teacher):
-In 2008 AL teams on average scored 4.78 runs per game. In the NL it was 4.53.
-In 2007 AL teams on average scored 4.90 runs per game. In the NL it was 4.71.
-In 2006 AL teams on average scored 4.97 runs per game. In the NL it was 4.76.
So over the past few years AL teams score a little less than a quarter of a run more than NL teams per game. I personally believe this is pretty minimal.
I do agree with TCP that it’s nice to have a spot for older superstars to finish their careers at. But does anyone other than Ken Griffey, Jr, currently fit this bill? Jim Thome and Gary Sheffield both spent all or part of 2009 in the NL primarily as pinch hitters.
Younger big time DHs (David Ortiz comes to mind although he’s not very young any more) I believe would be passable fielders if they were forced to.
I believe Godzilla would fit the bill although he lacks big power, you do have Vlad, Bonds would have been a perfect DH, Manny will turn into a DH very soon here, Bernie Williams was actually a pretty good DH.
I am not sure if you can just go by the runson the DH (even though that is what they placed it in the game for)…What is the record for AL vs NL? I think that is where you will see a big difference in the AL’s ability to use a DH.
I think that tghe DH has no place in baseball. I am an ex American league fan. The DH removes too much statergy from the game. Baseball is a game of 9 players who are both offensive and defensive.
Do I pinch hit or let the pitcher bat? Do I double switch? This is what makesaseball a great sport.
Today, I will only attend NL games because this is real baseball. The last AL game I attended was in 1973 and I found that the DH made the game boaring and predictable. GET RID OF THE DH and SAVE BASEBALL.