The Designated Hitter

LauraMacNCheese

Worst idea in baseball or greatest thing that's happened to the sport?

I'm watching the Giants/Dodgers game and listening to the announcers talking about whether or not they'd leave Lincecum in to bat as he 3rd man up in the inning for the Giants...got me thinking about the DH...

Your thoughts?

ket_the_jet

My favorite team is in the American League, but I am not a fan of the designated hitter rule. It would be like the the SEC playing football with five downs while the Big Ten played with four downs.

If I had the ability to do so, I would remove the designated hitter rule. But I do understand its purpose; rather, what it has become. Ten years ago, most [American League] teams had designated hitters: Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, Harold Baines, Rafael Palmeiro, John Jaha, Chili Davis, and Jose Canseco come to mind. But, with very few exceptions [David Ortiz or Travis Hafner come to mind], the designated hitter has become a position of flexibility. A place where you can give a guy a day off from the field while still keeping a bat in the lineup. Let's face it, people would much rather see Joe Mauer or Carlos Santana bat than show up on a day when the backup catchers are in the game.

With this in mind, I think the designated hitter rule will remain the same for quite a while. I think baseball would be more likely to adopt the designated hitter in the National League than remove it in the American league.
-wtk

NNAhuja

I'm probably biased because I was the DH for my team when I played.

dansls1

Don't care whether they keep it or get rid of it - but am adamant that both leagues should be the same - either have it or don't.

magichatter06

Some people can be really good defensively but suck at hitting. I can see where a DH is beneficial!

JPod279

A woman that can debate the pros and cons of the DH. I think I have a stiffy. :bigsmile:

The DH sucks as it takes the managing out of the game. When you have to worry about burning through your bullpen, double switching to create matchups, and emptying your bench now versus saving someone for later you get what baseball is supposed to be about. Of course, I grew up a Cubs fan so I am partial to the NL and no DH.

the_journeyman

Keep it the same, but honestly, I would like to see it gone. If you're a player, you should be able to field and hit both.

JM

_binary_jester_

I clicked to see who the designated Hitler was. Huh.

Manrahan

Worst thing. Every player should play the field and be in the lineup.

_binary_jester_

There is nothing funnier than watching a pitcher bat. Heh

Nerple

I love the DH position. Watching most pitchers try to hit is boring as hell.

RipperSB

"I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter." - Crash Davis

Couldn't agree more!

classycouture

Hahahah, when I first read the title of this thread, I thought it said, "The Designated Hitler."

classycouture

I clicked to see who the designated Hitler was. Huh.

Glad I'm not the only one!

HauteP1nk

Pitchers can't hit...well most of 'em anyways. I think it is needed for the most part.

I would love to be the DH as I only like to hit....lol

the_journeyman

There is nothing funnier than watching a pitcher bat. Heh

Yea, they tend to not be great batters, not sure why though.

JM

lour441

I prefer watching games with no designated hitter. There is more strategy involved in the game. Unless the pitcher is really pitching well you generally won't see the pitcher hit more then twice anyway.

tsh0ck

If you're a player, you should be able to field and hit both.

This. As it stands, it is completely unamerican. Can't play the game in its entirety? Bummer.

ninerbuff

While a pitcher's job is to pitch, as a pro he should be able to at least hit and run too. Not that most DH's are great runners either.

And #$*( the Dodgers!!! Go GIANTS!!!


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

_binary_jester_

There is nothing funnier than watching a pitcher bat. Heh

Yea, they tend to not be great batters, not sure why though.

JM

I remember being at a game where Randy Johnson actually hit what would have been a double. As he was rounding first, he slipped and fell and was held to a single. The next day some players went out and drew a chalk body outline where he slipped. One of the funniest things I had read.

tsh0ck

While a pitcher's job is to pitch, as a pro he should be able to at least hit and run too. Not that most DH's are great runners either.

And #$*( the Dodgers!!! Go GIANTS!!!


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Right. Well, except the dodgers part. Ha!

The rule has only been around since the 70s. And they only put it in to boost scoring, thereby boosting attendance. Today, athletes are so much bigger and stronger, no reason they should keep it going. It would be a bad rule anyway, but the fact that only half the teams use it makes it even more clunky.

arthur heinze has said "life is a metaphor for baseball." And in society now, we tend to coddle. Those who can't? Those who aren't good enough to make it? That's ok. You don't have to work to get better - or even realize that maybe you simply can't. You still get ice cream and a participation ribbon. That's the dh.

Nerple

There is nothing funnier than watching a pitcher bat. Heh

Yea, they tend to not be great batters, not sure why though.

JM

I remember being at a game where Randy Johnson actually hit what would have been a double. As he was rounding first, he slipped and fell and was held to a single. The next day some players went out and drew a chalk body outline where he slipped. One of the funniest things I had read.

I can't stop laughing whenever I recall watching Rich Garces (aka El Guapo) attempt to bat. Dude could barely even get a batting helmet on his head.

tigersword

I'm DH neutral. On the one hand, the strategy of having to manage pitchers vs pinch hitters is fun to watch. On the other hand, watching a pitcher bunt 3 times a game is lame.

_Timmeh_

So many reasons why I am for and against it....I guess leave it as is.
Perfect example of why I like it, the other day Cole Hamels beaned Bryce Harper on purpose...fully admitted. Guess what happened at Cole Hamels next at bat! Can't do that in the AL.
I think it's great to watch the older players that can't play in the field on a daily basis but can still hit effectively.
It's not as easy as you would think to be the DH, all you do is ride the pine till it's your turn to hit.

Bigpelly8

I'm a big fan of the DH, biggest reason being that it can extend the playing careers of some pretty great hitters. I do like that the AL and NL differ though. A lot more strategy in the NL comes into play!

GasMasterFlash

I think baseball would be more likely to adopt the designated hitter in the National League than remove it in the American league.

Unfortunately, this is true. Keeping big hitters playing more seasons will put more butts in the seats and draw more ratings. I hate the DH, but it boils down to what will bring in the revenue. I can't blame MLB and the union for wanting it.

wolverine66

The DH sucks as it takes the managing out of the game. When you have to worry about burning through your bullpen, double switching to create matchups, and emptying your bench now versus saving someone for later you get what baseball is supposed to be about.

I agree with all of this

_Elemenopee_

I swear I though the topic was "The Designated Hitler"...wtheck is going on with my eyes?

LauraMacNCheese

LMFAO @ the "Designated Hitler" comments...maybe we should start a new topic :laugh:

I think no DH adds more strategy to the game...but I also like seeing the older guys who can't really field anymore get out there & crack *kitten* over the fence. And given that my Phillies bats have been pretty horrid of late, we could probably benefit from having a DH.

And I agree with my Binary friend...there is nothing funnier in baseball than watching a pitcher try to bat...especially the American League pitchers since they never have to. Except maybe watching them run...because, let's face it...most of them look like this: