DH: Yae or Nae?

[CochiseCowbell]

The Cubs playoff thread with the Astros in the AL got me thinking about the Designated Hitter....again.

My personal opinion is that it's an abomination at the professional level. I understand its need in HS & College. But, younger leagues & MLB shouldn't have it.

What say you, SPS?

 

[57stratdawg]

The National League needs to get their **** together.

 

[CoastDawg18]

I agree. Drop the DH.

 

[ronpolk]

Either they both need to do it or neither do it. Personally, I'm all for the DH. I think it makes the game more exciting. Why should I care about seeing a pitcher bat every game when he's gonna hit .150 for the year.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I actually like the leagues being different.

 

[drt7891]

I agree. I like it different.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Think about this way: most successful pitchers are phenomenal athletes. Often, they're the best players on their HS teams, arm & bat. The cat & mouse game that NL Managers deal with is far more complicated than that of their AL counterparts.

I think less bean ball wars would ensue. The AL has long had more trouble with this than the NL.

I admit it gives certain players more longevity.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It gives each league somewhat of an identity. Something that has been slowly going away from the days of separate commissioners and umpires and they didn't play each other until the World Series.

 

[hatfieldms]

I also like them being different

But if they both had to be the same I would rather both have DH.

 

[patdog]

Nope, nope, a thousand nopes. Especially at the professional level. But, given my preference, I would do away with it at all levels. There's no reason it's needed in HS and college baseball.

 

[vhdawg]

Madison Bumgartner hit five HR's this year, so I'll say no.

nm

 

[Cow College]

I hate the DH rule. I have never understood it.

 

[MarkDallas]

DH: Yae or Nae?

I don't keep up with all those new dances.

 

[msudawg12]

i enjoy the leagues being different until the WS.

i hate that an NL team in contention really has to pick someone up right before the trade deadline knowing it will be for limited ABs until its time to compete

 

[OleMissLogo]

The Cubs playoff thread with the Astros in the AL got me thinking about the Designated Hitter....again.

My personal opinion is that it's an abomination at the professional level. I understand its need in HS & College. But, younger leagues & MLB shouldn't have it.

What say you, SPS?

Keep the DH. Both leagues should have it.

And this is coming from a former catcher who hated guys that were Pitcher Only.

 

[EurekaDog]

(1) Pitcher bats or (2) Opp. manager picks the DH for that entire game (NM)

adasd

 

[amcdan2000]

AL poor Mitch Moreland though

 

[EurekaDog]

(1) Pitcher bats or (2) Opp. manager picks the DH for that entire game (NM)

adasd

 

[Dawgzilla]

I don't like the DH, but the NL should just get with the program. Every other baseball league in the World uses a DH, so maybe there's something to it.

When I played High School ball, we used a DH in place of our catcher. He had a deformed leg and couldn't run very well but he was great behind the plate. So we basically played by non-DH rules, and just used a replacement hitter for our catcher. Pitching changes meant lineup changes at the plate. I was a seldom used relief pitcher, and I sucked at the plate, too, so I spent a lot of time just keeping stats.

But, as already stated in this thread, some of our best athletes were pitchers. When they weren't on the mound, they would play another position or sometimes DH for the catcher. It could really get confusing.

 

[ronpolk]

Think about this way: most successful pitchers are phenomenal athletes. Often, they're the best players on their HS teams, arm & bat. The cat & mouse game that NL Managers deal with is far more complicated than that of their AL counterparts.

I think less bean ball wars would ensue. The AL has long had more trouble with this than the NL.

I admit it gives certain players more longevity.

I agree that NL managers have to play to more strategy than AL but I think it just comes down to wanting pitchers to concentrate on pitching. We don't ask out first basemen to also pitch. For the most part, teams mine as well be batting 8 people. Every now and then there is a good hitting pitcher but it's rare.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

I agree on your points. Yet, if the DH were not an option would pitchers retain the more respectable/effective plate appearances they had in their youth? Would we see less throw-away at bats? Hell, some pitchers can't even lay down a sac bunt.

Also, the AL has had a DH for my lifetime of recollection. When was it implemented?