Designated Hitter For or Against

[SoCalDukeFan]

I am in my 60's. To me the DH is a perversion of baseball. There is just so much more to National League games as managers have to maintain their relievers, pinch hitters, even let pitchers bat, etc.

Your thoughts and your approximate age.

SoCal

[2535Miles]

The DH is an abomination. I'm 30. This definitely needs a poll.

[hc5duke]

The DH is an abomination. I'm 30. This definitely needs a poll.

Ditto. I'm 26.9. Ditto

[BlueDevilBaby]

I like the DH because it helps my AL team, the Yankees. But, I am also a season ticket holder of the Nats (I know, I know. . .). and must admit that the NL games are more entertaining when moves have to be made. However, it drives me absolutely crazy when there is a runner in scoring position with 2 outs and the stinking pitcher comes up to bat. I'd much rather see someone who can hit in that situation than the pitcher flailing away (not taking into account those very few who are actually pretty good hitters). I guess, ultimately, I'm conflicted.:confused:

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Setting aside the NL team I love (and the AL ones I hate), I can honestly say that I can't stand the DH rule. I'm in my mid 30's so it's always been around for me. But I am a bit of a purist when it comes to sports. I hate, for example, that technology has nearly eliminated the challenge of many golf courses for players on the tour. Anyway, I think the game of baseball is much more fascinating w/o the DH. The strategy, managing the bench, the double switches, etc. And why shouldn't a pitcher have to stand in the box and hit like his teammates? He's a baseball player, right? If they come to bat at a critical moment, they should know how to hit. Who cares if it's 2 outs w/ RISP? Give me a guy like Zambrano who will at least give it a good whack and I'm satisfied. Also, I get tired of hearing fans of AL teams whine that their pitchers are better b/c they face "AL lineups" and that somehow NL pitchers would crumble if they had to face those fearsome AL lineups on a regular basis. Please.

[hc5duke]

However, it drives me absolutely crazy when there is a runner in scoring position with 2 outs and the stinking pitcher comes up to bat. I'd much rather see someone who can hit in that situation than the pitcher flailing away (not taking into account those very few who are actually pretty good hitters).

That's like hiring JJ but instead of having him play in any of the games, he just shoots free throws for one guy. I'd rather not see Tim Duncan or Shaq shoot free throws either, but they all still do it... unless you're Ronald Curry, then Max Owens shoots them for you.

[killerleft]

The DH should be banned (but never will be)! Might as well allow faster runners to stand behind a line, ready to run when some fat-butt who can still swing hits one in the gap. I say players either play defense or stay off the field. Except when they're coaching at 1st or 3rd base. EX-ballplayers who just can't leave baseball behind can find their haven there! Harrrruuuummmpfff!

[BlueDevilBaby]

Give me a guy like Zambrano who will at least give it a good whack and I'm satisfied. Problem is there are not enough of them who can give it a good whack. Too many times it is just a wasted out. Maybe if the DH is eliminated, more good hitting pitchers will develop. Were pitchers better hitters in general before the DH was added?

[Schwarz]

I hate the DH. All it does is add 30 minutes to every AL game, while at the same time removing half of the strategy.

[allenmurray]

Get rid of the DH - and take that damn astroturf with you.

[2535Miles]

Problem is there are not enough of them who can give it a good whack. Too many times it is just a wasted out. Maybe if the DH is eliminated, more good hitting pitchers will develop. Were pitchers better hitters in general before the DH was added?
I'm not sure that it matters if they were better before/after DH. It seems to me that pitchers' poor hitting is due to the need to spend more time on the mechanics of pitching where they'll have the greatest impact on the game.

[mbd1mbd1]

Get rid of the DH - and take that damn astroturf with you.

and the domed stadiums too!

I think that the player's union won't let the AL get rid of the DH - that's 14 high paying jobs that would be replaced by cheap utility men.

[rasputin]

Against. 51.
Yes, I'm a purist. Also against having a second-place team (over 162) be the "champion." Yeech.

[DUKIECB]

I'm 29 and I'm against the DH. It's not how the game was meant to be played.

No matter how you feel about it, don't you think it's dumb to have different rules in different leagues? I would be fine with it if they would just make both leagues play by the same rules.

On another note, why can't pitchers hit with any more success than they do? I know hitting a baseball is supposed to be the hardest thing to do in sports, but these are professional athletes. Why don't they practice their batting more? Maybe they do and they just suck, but I think I could get out there and bloop a single out of every ten at bats.

[2535Miles]

I'm 29 and I'm against the DH. It's not how the game was meant to be played.

No matter how you feel about it, don't you think it's dumb to have different rules in different leagues? I would be fine with it if they would just make both leagues play by the same rules.

On another note, why can't pitchers hit with any more success than they do? I know hitting a baseball is supposed to be the hardest thing to do in sports, but these are professional athletes. Why don't they practice their batting more? Maybe they do and they just suck, but I think I could get out there and bloop a single out of every ten at bats.
To elaborate on my post above, I think pitchers spend more time pitching than swinging a bat because that's where they'll have the greatest impact on the game. There are far too many variables to measure the return on a pitcher's investment in batting practice vs pitching practice. Ask yourself the questions: How many times will he come to bat? How many runners will be on base? How many batters will he face? How many pitches will he throw?

You get a lot more rewards out of great pitching than you do great hitting, IMO.

To sum it all it up: Best offense is a good defense.

[rasputin]

To elaborate on my post above, I think pitchers spend more time pitching than swinging a bat because that's where they'll have the greatest impact on the game. There are far too many variables to measure the return on a pitcher's investment in batting practice vs pitching practice. Ask yourself the questions: How many times will he come to bat? How many runners will be on base? How many batters will he face? How many pitches will he throw?

You get a lot more rewards out of great pitching than you do great hitting, IMO.

To sum it all it up: Best offense is a good defense.

Yes, but a pitcher's hitting prowess can help himself, as well as his team. Obviously if you hit and help your team win, it's good for all. A pitcher who can hit can be left in games longer and get more wins. You don't have to hit for Zambrano, he gets an extra inning as a result, etc., so his numbers are fattened. Same for Sabathia. (Their numbers aren't the only things fattened . . .)

[2535Miles]

Yes, but a pitcher's hitting prowess can help himself, as well as his team. Obviously if you hit and help your team win, it's good for all. A pitcher who can hit can be left in games longer and get more wins. You don't have to hit for Zambrano, he gets an extra inning as a result, etc., so his numbers are fattened. Same for Sabathia. (Their numbers aren't the only things fattened . . .)
I agree, a pitcher's hitting prowess can help himself and the team. I'd be interested to see how many pitcher's saved a game with their RBI or solo run. I bet not many. I'm just trying to explain why pitchers may not be the greatest hitters. Regardless, I still think they should pick up the bat and swing. DH is lame.

[DukieInKansas]

I'm against the DH. It probably comes from living in more NL cities than AL cities growing up. I returned to an AL city after college and drove my 12 year old nephew notes when I would ask him where the DH stood on the field. :D

[2535Miles]

where the DH stood on the field. :D
HAHA great! He stands in the dugout, where he belongs. Forever.

[hc5duke]

Yes, but a pitcher's hitting prowess can help himself, as well as his team. Obviously if you hit and help your team win, it's good for all. A pitcher who can hit can be left in games longer and get more wins. You don't have to hit for Zambrano, he gets an extra inning as a result, etc., so his numbers are fattened. Same for Sabathia. (Their numbers aren't the only things fattened . . .)

Not if it comes at the sacrifice of his pitching abilities. Even if a good hitting pitcher could get you (at best) 1 extra run/game, that won't matter if that pitcher won't last 3 innings on the mound. I don't think it's reasonable to expect all starters to hit like Zambrano and (late 90s) Mike Hampton. One other thing to consider is, while the other 8 guys are practicing batting, the pitcher is (presumably) working on his pitching, which the other 8 guys don't have to; and this is probably what pitchers have been doing since college or high school.

[jhoagland]

Old school, 62 yrs old, former Brooklyn Dodger fan, cannot understand the DH concept at all. It's a 9 man game, not 10...that's slow pitch softball!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I'm 100% in favor of the DH. You "purists" are crazy. You're right, there should be one rule - everyone has the DH.

I have a solution for inter league play, including the World Series, rather than alternating rules on home fields (and getting your ace pitcher hurt and lost for the season as he runs the bases after getting on). Let each team choose whether or not they want to use it in a game. Let the AL teams use the DH in NL parks. If the NL teams wants to not use the DH in either park, let them. Then listen to the bitching that they are playing at a disadvantage.

[2535Miles]

I'm 100% in favor of the DH. You "purists" are crazy. You're right, there should be one rule - everyone has the DH.

I have a solution for inter league play, including the World Series, rather than alternating rules on home fields (and getting your ace pitcher hurt and lost for the season as he runs the bases after getting on). Let each team choose whether or not they want to use it in a game. Let the AL teams use the DH in NL parks. If the NL teams wants to not use the DH in either park, let them. Then listen to the bitching that they are playing at a disadvantage.
How many pitchers have been injured standing in the batter's box or running the bases?

[OZZIE4DUKE]

How many pitchers have been injured standing in the batter's box or running the bases?

Chin Meng Wang for one, and that's one too many.

[2535Miles]

Chin Meng Wang for one, and that's one too many.
One of the things that bothers me about this perspective is that you're essentially escalating the importance of one player over all others. It's okay for everyone else to earn their paycheck, and take the risks, but not pitchers? That's lame in my book, about as lame as letting quarterbacks slide to avoid a tackle. I'd rather hear you say that "Pitchers can't hit and I like to see more runs" than to hear the reasoning attributed to injuries.

Still curious though. I wonder how many games have been won/lost/decided by designated hitters.

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

One of the things that bothers me about this perspective is that you're essentially escalating the importance of one player over all others. It's okay for everyone else to earn their paycheck, and take the risks, but not pitchers? That's lame in my book, about as lame as letting quarterbacks slide to avoid a tackle. I'd rather hear you say that "Pitchers can't hit and I like to see more runs" than to hear the reasoning attributed to injuries.

I agree. And it's not like today's pitchers are over-exerting themselves and need to be protected b/c they're worn out. I mean, they aren't throwing 20+ complete games and 300+ innings in a season like Koufax, Drysdale, Spahn, Gibson and many others did. And oh by the way these guys didn't have the benefit of any stinking DH and they had respectable batting averages as well. Gimme the game the way it was supposed to be played.

[camion]

Catchers work a lot harder than pitchers. If anyone deserves a DH they do.

If you going to have one DH then why not have 9. Have an offensive team and a defensive team like football. The players' union would love it.

[rasputin]

Not if it comes at the sacrifice of his pitching abilities. Even if a good hitting pitcher could get you (at best) 1 extra run/game, that won't matter if that pitcher won't last 3 innings on the mound. I don't think it's reasonable to expect all starters to hit like Zambrano and (late 90s) Mike Hampton. One other thing to consider is, while the other 8 guys are practicing batting, the pitcher is (presumably) working on his pitching, which the other 8 guys don't have to; and this is probably what pitchers have been doing since college or high school.

I don't think it needs to come at the sacrifice of pitching abilities. Especially starters, who throw on the side once or twice between starts. (Sure, they do workouts, etc., also, but not much throwing.) So why not take batting practice?

[rasputin]

I agree. And it's not like today's pitchers are over-exerting themselves and need to be protected b/c they're worn out. I mean, they aren't throwing 20+ complete games and 300+ innings in a season like Koufax, Drysdale, Spahn, Gibson and many others did. And oh by the way these guys didn't have the benefit of any stinking DH and they had respectable batting averages as well. Gimme the game the way it was supposed to be played.

Interesting that you mention Koufax, Drysdale, Spahn and Gibson particularly; the last three were good hitters as pitchers go. (Koufax was terrible.) Pitching all those innings didn't seem to make these guys unable to work on their hitting.

[hc5duke]

I don't think it needs to come at the sacrifice of pitching abilities. Especially starters, who throw on the side once or twice between starts. (Sure, they do workouts, etc., also, but not much throwing.) So why not take batting practice?

From my understanding of the mechanics involved (never played baseball, though I love batting cages and drunk-softball), pitching is a very violent motion for the body and that's why you need 3-4 days to rest your pitching arm/shoulder. Considering most people pitch and bat with the same arm, taking batting practice between starts might not be such a good idea... but that's just my guess.

[weezie]

I'm absolutely FOR the DH. NL games are snooze festivals without it.
On the other hand, when the pitcher comes up to the plate in the NL, that's usually a good time to head to the beer stand.

[2535Miles]

I'm absolutely FOR the DH. NL games are snooze festivals without it.
On the other hand, when the pitcher comes up to the plate in the NL, that's usually a good time to head to the beer stand.
Funny, I get beer when the DH comes up. ;)

[hc5duke]

Funny, I get beer when the DH comes up. ;)

Why not, you're not missing any baseball

[weezie]

Why not, you're not missing any baseball

Oh snap! :p

[RainingThrees]

No DH. Part of baseball is playing on the field and it looks bad to have fat slow guys who can't play any defense making millions while participating in one part of the game.