Posted on 06/27/2012 12:40:28 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
On Sunday, MLB finished up the interleague portion of the schedule for 2012, and it was the end of interleague play as we know it. In 2013, the Houston Astros will move to the American League, which will give each league 15 teams and also give us interleague play all season long.
This development is positive in that it will give us six divisions with five teams apiece, but it poses its own set of problems. Chief among them is the designated hitter rule. With so many interleague games, having two sets of rules complicates matters for a game struggling to remain simple and fan-friendly.
Let’s be clear: It is time for baseball to get both of its leagues synchronized with the same rule, whether that’s with or without the designated hitter.
Since abolishing the DH would never get approved by the MLB players' association, the game has no choice but to embrace the DH -- from the major leagues down through all levels of the minor leagues.
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.espn.go.com ...
Heresy indeed. DH is like disability for players who can’t play in the field any longer.
I gave up on MLB when they added interleague play. What’s next... aluminum bats?
Never happen. The NL owners do not want to take on another players salary. Especially a DH who would command huge money.
I think the AL should keep the DH, and the NL should not have a DH. Both have advantages.
It’s nice to be able to stick a powerful bat in the lineup without having to worry about defense, but it is also fun to watch NL managers decide when to pull a pitcher. So I like both.
One of these days we’ll see a pitcher that is also a great hitter, and who will play in the field on the days he’s not pitching. That would be neat.
I always called the DH rule the Mickey Mantle rule, allowing the hugely popular Mick to continue playing after he could no longer field. Whether that conjecture is accurate or not, this AL fan (and #7 fan) says it is time for the AL to lose the DH and not the other way around.
I don’t like the DH either.
The DH is welfare, food stamps, SSI Disability and affirmative action on the field of play. It compensates for the weakest hitter(usually the pitcher), providing a way for everyone to feel good. The DH is worthy of the Cold Stare of Contempt.
The late Bob Forsch of the Cardinals is an example that the pitcher can actually stand up there and swing the bat, if he works at it.
That proves there are no remaining noble institutions unsoiled by rats or labor unions.
Why is a minor league team—the Astros—joining the American League?
Mickey Mantle retired a few years before the DH. Maybe you were thinking of someone else?
So why not force either the Pirates or the Phillies to join the American League?
So how about this: when a designated batter comes to the plate, the opposing team gets to counter with a designated pitcher?
Life as we knew it began to crumble with the designated hitter.
Oh, and I forgot about Ohio.
you missed Ohio. Remember the Reds and the Indians....
BS! Long past time for the AL to drop the DH!!!!!
To the author: If one league with a DH and one without is too “complicated” for someone, switch to a sport more your speed; like paint drying
Andy Pettitte now has a broken ankle. Maybe they should add a provision for designated pitchers, as well.
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