Weekly Blog Question!
How Do You Feel About the Designated Hitter (DH) Being Added to the National League?
Every week we’re posting a baseball history-related question and will encourage our readers to voice their opinion. We’d love to hear what you have to say! This week’s question involves the Designated Hitter.
How Do You Feel About the Designated Hitter (DH) Being Added to the National League?
Vote in the poll box to the right. Then feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Here’s a little background info:
On April 6, 1973, the Yankees Ron Blomberg strode to the plate as the leadoff hitter in a game with the Red Sox at Fenway Park. This was no ordinary at bat. Blomberg was about to become the first designated hitter in the history of the major leagues. The new rule which excluded pitchers from hitting was implemented in the American League only, but many felt if the fans liked it the National League would soon adopt it, as well. That was 46 years ago and only now is there talk about finally standardizing the DH, which is used at nearly every other level of the game.
In the featured photo above, we see Ron Blomberg, the first DH. In the photo gallery are successful DH’s: Frank Thomas, David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, and Harold Baines.
What do you think about it? Many former National Leaguers and even some current ones don’t like the DH because they feel it takes away long time strategies from the game. It takes away more than it adds. Those who favor it feel baseball needs more offense; plus it keeps some outstanding hitters in the majors longer. American leaguers also feel it’s not fair to have pitchers hit and run the bases in interleague games. Too much of a chance for injury because they’re not use to it.
We’ve come up with three options, listed below, but feel free to add something else. Then vote in the poll box below:
- The DH should be standardized. It levels the playing field between leagues and gives the game more offense, which it needs.
- The DH should be eliminated from the American League so baseball can again be played the way it was intended, with the pitcher hitting. It’s a more complete game.
- Nothing should change. Let the DH remain in the American League and pitchers hit in the National. That way fans can see the game both ways and it’s up to the managers and players to adjust. adjust.
Again, if you’d like to leave a comment, please do so below!
