pitchers should have to take their turn in the box just like everybody else
Posted on 01/24/2016 12:03:41 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
The change: Implement the designated hitter rule in the National League.
How it would work:
The DH rule would be in effect for all professional games in every league at all levels -- with no exceptions.
I spent most of my front-office career in the National League, and have always preferred the game played without the DH rule. I like the late-inning strategies, the double-switches and deciding whether to take out your best pitcher when you're tied or down a run. I also like the fact that the bench and bullpens are more important in game strategy without a DH. It makes the game more entertaining.
The more pressing issue, however, is one of fairness and competitiveness. When an American League team plays a National League team, one of them has an unfair advantage based of whichever rule is being used for that particular game. If the Red Sox are playing an NL team in Fenway Park, Boston will have the game's best DH in David Ortiz, while its NL opponent will probably have to turn to its fourth outfielder or backup first baseman as its DH. When they play at an NL park, the Red Sox will have to relegate their best hitter to a pinch-hitting role. As silly as that sounds, that's how baseball has been operating.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.go.com ...
DH must go.
The DH is the abomination that causes designation. The National League game is much more interesting.
pitchers should have to take their turn in the box just like everybody else
Then they’ll think twice before plunking a batter.
No.
Time for AL to dump it. But the union would freak.
If MLB wants the DH so bad, why not have all DH?
Nine offensive players and nine defensive players
Good question. They have all kinds of time between starts. Can’t they work on their batting skills in the meantime?
Wrong, it’s time for the AL to abandon the stupidest rule in the books. The DH is an abomination, players that can’t play on both sides of the plate should be out of the league.
Tom Glavine and John Smoltz are two “modern era” hall of fame pitchers with great batting averages.
Ugh now my blood pressure is sky high...
I agree, bro. I’m a Cubs fan here in the Prairie State and would hate to see a DH at Wrigley.
I get wanting to add more offense, but there are better ways to go about it. One thing I think would help is to limit teams to two pitching changes per game - that gives a starter, a middle reliever, and a closer. If a change is needed for injury and they’re already at two, that player automatically goes on the 15 day DL. This would speed up the game and boost offense (no more of this pitching specialist crap), while bringing the game closer to its roots of iron man pitchers.
I like your tagline, BTW.
bingo... 100%
What should happen is get rid of the DH in the American League.
The review rule has already ruined the game. If umpires can[’t do their job, fire them.
Like your thinking, especially that bit on the DL.
Well, few things bring out passionate opinions like the issue of the designated hitter in baseball. Or the lack of same in the National League.
Another such endless debate without resolution is : Ginger or Mary Anne, for those who remember Gilligan’s Island.
I’m a fan of an American League team, the Orioles, and I despise the designated hitter rule. And I’ll never change. One of my fondest baseball memories is Dave McNally hitting a Grand Slam in the World Series. You just can’t beat that.
AGREE!
Exactly. I think one of the coolest things in the game is when the pitcher gets a clutch hit or a home run. Usually demoralizes the opposition. The DH is another one of those 1970s attempts to be "progressive" -- like the EPA, for example -- that needs to be dumped. Like now.
In 1971, Phillies pitcher Rick Wise pitched a no-hitter and hit hit two home runs in the game.After the season the Phillies traded him to St. Louis for Steve Carlton.
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