The National League needs the Designated Hitter

[BC867]

25 posts ago when I started this thread, I said, "I have always disliked the concept of the American League's DH. It takes away from strategy."

"But, at this point, I would settle for the DH in the National League to put us on equal footing with the American League."

I still dislike the DH and wish that the AL would drop it. But that is not going to happen.

So, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to end our NL disadvantage would be to adopt the DH.

Guys, what are your feelings about that? Specifically about that?

I am an idealist. But I also try to always include being a realist.

 

[elindholm]

So, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to end our NL disadvantage would be to adopt the DH.

What "NL disadvantage" are you talking about? The last 20 World Series have been exactly split, 10 to the NL team and 10 to the AL one. More recently, the NL has won 6 of the last 10.

 

[BC867]

What "NL disadvantage" are you talking about? The last 20 World Series have been exactly split, 10 to the NL team and 10 to the AL one. More recently, the NL has won 6 of the last 10.

I should have made my point more clearly.

Having just gone into AL cities with batting orders of 8 regulars and a sub vs. AL lineups with 9 regulars, I feel, put us at a disadvantage.

Even with Chip Hale giving subs plenty of starts throughout the season, he's done it when warranted by match ups or who was hot, rather than what city we were in.

Granted, AL managers have to decide what regular to bench in NL cities. I would rather see it go back to being consistent for both leagues.

Imagine the NBA, NFL or NHL having different sets of rules for games played in different divisions.

I feel that it was a mistake to originate the DH in the American League but, once done, it is a mistake to continue the inconsistency.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I see no competative disadvantage and no reason to adopt the DH..... very glad to be in a NL city

 

[jw7]

I don't follow Baseball like you guys do. I did as a kid.

Having pitchers bat changes strategy.

I don't want to see that go.

 

[Matt L]

I should have made my point more clearly.

Having just gone into AL cities with batting orders of 8 regulars and a sub vs. AL lineups with 9 regulars, I feel, put us at a disadvantage.

Even with Chip Hale giving subs plenty of starts throughout the season, he's done it when warranted by match ups or who was hot, rather than what city we were in.

Granted, AL managers have to decide what regular to bench in NL cities. I would rather see it go back to being consistent for both leagues.

Imagine the NBA, NFL or NHL having different sets of rules for games played in different divisions.

I feel that it was a mistake to originate the DH in the American League but, once done, it is a mistake to continue the inconsistency.

Based on some quick internet research, you have a point:
http://www.stevetheump.com/interleague.htm

Since Interleague Play was introduced in 1997, the AL has won 2,353 games and the NL has won 2,126 games. Having an extra hitter in your lineup is a greater advantage to the construction of your team than forcing the opposing team's pitcher to hit 10 games in a season.

 

[crisper57]

Um. No.

 

[DWKB]

Again, seems like if we wanted a pure game, we'd require only 9 men on a roster and your RP would have to come from a fielder. Of course the pitching square would be 45 ft from the plate, the pitcher would have to throw underhanded (I.e. Actually pitch and not throw) as well.

Otherwise we aren't really being true to the game and are simply generating arbitrary excuses why it should be one way and not another based upon our childhood and personal nostalgia. The DH has been a concept in the works since the early 20th century. This isn't some magical 1970's gimmick.

 

[frankeegee1]

If you want the dh, move to the American League. No, Thx.

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[BC867]

If you want the dh, move to the American League. No, Thx.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

I'll say it again. I don't like the DH. I never have! I was so glad that Jerry kept us in the National League, for whom I have been rooting since 1952. I am a baseball traditionalist. A National League traditionalist.

But the reality is that MLB changed the concept of batting orders between the NL and AL. Then compounded it with inter league play during the regular season.

That being the case, baseball needs to look ahead, not back. There should be one format for Major League baseball.

The reality is that they are not going to drop the DH format from the AL, which leaves adding it to the NL. It is the lesser of the evils. Even for a traditionalist.

Think about it. How would you react if the NBA moved the 3-point line in or out, but only for the Eastern OR Western
Conference?

 

[AZ Native]

If we can add the DH to the NL we can drop it from the AL. Why can't it be dropped. It's not just tradition, it is BASEBALL.

 

[BC867]

If we can add the DH to the NL we can drop it from the AL. Why can't it be dropped. It's not just tradition, it is BASEBALL.

We can drop it from the AL? I am wondering who the "we" is?

The fact is that the DH has been established at various levels, pro and amateur, around the world, as well as the American League.

MLB's National League and one league in Japan are the only two pro leagues to not employ it in some manner.

I don't think there is a chance in hell that the Commissioner's Office will drop it, no matter how much we philosophize.

As long as that is the case, I suggest the NL even the odds and join everyone else. It is not just the American League.

 

[AZ Native]

Totally disagree. Just drop the DH from the AL. Who cares what Japan or anyone else is doing. Really, thats the argument? We are talking about MLB. Really, various levels, Japan?

Maybe the NFL should adopt all the stupid Arena football rules? After all, they do it. SMH

 

[DWKB]

If we can add the DH to the NL we can drop it from the AL. Why can't it be dropped. It's not just tradition, it is BASEBALL.

It's not BASEBALL, it's YOUR BASEBALL.

The arbitrary idealized form you most likely grew up with in the 50's and 60's. Why don't you complain about the mound being lowered while you're at it?

Baseball has always altered its rules since its inception. The DH isn't some outlier anymore than PH and RP are traditional.

I honestly don't get the righteousness of this particular subject. It's not logical, it's dogmatic and Luddite IMO.

 

[puckhead]

I hate those low mounds!

 

[Dback Jon]

For some of us, I just like seeing the pitcher hit.

You can trot out all the stats in the world, all the other changes, and it won't change my mind.

I dislike the DH. Period.

 

[puckhead]

I hate those baggy pants!

 

[BC867]

Totally disagree. Just drop the DH from the AL. Who cares what Japan or anyone else is doing. Really, thats the argument? We are talking about MLB. Really, various levels, Japan?

Maybe the NFL should adopt all the stupid Arena football rules? After all, they do it. SMH

Boy, did you miss the point. There are only two professional baseball leagues in the world who do not use the DH. MLB's National League and one league in Japan. They are the ones out of touch with the rest of the world.

More importantly, the stepping stones for many young American baseball players aspiring to play in the Major Leagues include the designator hitter.

Like it or not (and I never did), most of baseball has evolved into kids growing up with the DH. But Major League baseball has gone only half way.

There is something wrong with the world's best baseball league operating under two conflicting sets of criteria.

How would you like to be a young Pitcher who didn't bat in college or the Minor Leagues, gets drafted by or traded from an American League team to the NL and, all of a sudden, is supposed to face the best Pitchers in the world for perhaps the first time in his life? He is at a disadvantage.

That is mostly why I changed my opinion about going with the flow, as much as I have opposed it since its inception on April 6, 1973 -- 42 years ago.

Like it or not, it is here and it is now. And it needs to be dealt with.

 

[DWKB]

Boy, did you miss the point. There are only two professional baseball leagues in the world who do not use the DH. MLB's National League and one league in Japan. They are the ones out of touch with the rest of the world.

More importantly, the stepping stones for many young American baseball players aspiring to play in the Major Leagues include the designator hitter.

Like it or not (and I never did), most of baseball has evolved into kids growing up with the DH. But Major League baseball has gone only half way.

There is something wrong with the world's best baseball league operating under two conflicting sets of criteria.

How would you like to be a young Pitcher who didn't bat in college or the Minor Leagues, gets drafted by or traded from an American League team to the NL and, all of a sudden, is supposed to face the best Pitchers in the world for perhaps the first time in his life? He is at a disadvantage.

That is mostly why I changed my opinion about going with the flow, as much as I have opposed it since its inception on April 6, 1973 -- 42 years ago.

Like it or not, it is here and it is now. And it needs to be dealt with.

Very good post.