Designated Hitter now 40 yrs old

[HammerDown]

I'm an NL guy who likes the strategy of the pitcher hitting. Your opinion?

 

[calsnowskier]

American League Baseball...


AKA...


Baseball for dummies.


The bench and bullpen are not half as important in the AL as it is in the NL.

 

[HammerDown]

...but, but, but no one wants to watch a pitcher hitting. The DH removes some of the most interesting managerial strategy of the game of baseball. If they ever forced this on the NL, there'd surely be a massive protest.

 

[jrs21]

I'm an NL guy who likes the strategy of the pitcher hitting. Your opinion?

I'm an AL guy who likes the DH, I am not a fan of seeing an NL pitcher come to the plate with 2 outs and runners on, get blown away at the plate killing a potential scoring opportunity.
I also see it taking NL starting pitchers out of games when they are still pitching strong.
I like seeing some of my favorite players extending their career by DH'ing ie. Jim Thome.
What I never understood was why it is not uniform either way in the AL and NL. A major strategical differance between the 2 leagues.

 

[NickVT10]

I hate the DH. I believe a baseball player should be able to hit no matter what position they play. They baby and patsy pitchers so much its kind of sad. Move to a 6 man rotation instead of 5 if they are worried about their arms.

 

[bone3421]

i am a AL guy and like the DH......like said earlier it is not exciting watching a pitcher bat

lets say the NL pitcher is throwing a gem winning 1-0 in the 7th......only 90 pitches

they have 2 outs and a guy on 2nd....yes it is interesting to see what the manager does but i would much rather see a DH/fielder hitting than a PH getting out and the BP blowing the game

i want the BESTplayers on the field doing what they do.......

the batter could get out(with the DH) and the pitcher could finish his complete game SO
or you could PH for him and lose 3-1

 

[BritishDolfan]

I'm not a fan of the DH, but I can't see it going away.

 

[uncfan103]

The bench and bullpen are not half as important in the AL as it is in the NL.

...but, but, but no one wants to watch a pitcher hitting. The DH removes some of the most interesting managerial strategy of the game of baseball.

This, I'm a fan of the strategy associated with the pitcher having to hit or be pinch hit for.

 

[bravesfan]

I'm not a fan of the DH rule either

 

[Nasty_Magician]

So what I get from this thread is that AL fans like the DH, NL fans don't.

 

[tabascojet]

played baseball growing up since i was 5. never once did i play in a league with a DH. Learn to hit.

 

[calsnowskier]

I think teams should be allowed to have 9 DHs. Who wants to see a no-hit SS at the plate in a pressure situation, anyway?

They should also be able bring a pitcher back into he game after he has already been removed. Who wants to see a pitcher who does not fare well against lefties face a lefty?

I think each team should be able to pinch run at will. Who wants to see a slow-ass catcher clog up the base paths?

I think each team should be able to field 2 players at each position; a "fielder" and a "thrower". Wo wants to see a guy with a noodle-arm trying to throw out a runner from right field?

 

[Shanemansj13]

I'm an AL guy who likes the DH, I am not a fan of seeing an NL pitcher come to the plate with 2 outs and runners on, get blown away at the plate killing a potential scoring opportunity.
I also see it taking NL starting pitchers out of games when they are still pitching strong.
I like seeing some of my favorite players extending their career by DH'ing ie. Jim Thome.
What I never understood was why it is not uniform either way in the AL and NL. A major strategical differance between the 2 leagues.

I agree.

In the Indians game last night a pitcher came to the plate, yeah, bc our catcher got injured and the other catcher was at DH. Anyway, we had runners on and were threatening, he tried 3 bunt attempts and missed all of them. A DH is a blessing, watching pitchers go up there and hit especially with runners in scoring position is pitiful and kills the rally. I couldn't handle it if I had a fav team in NL.

 

[Shanemansj13]

So what I get from this thread is that AL fans like the DH, NL fans don't.

Exactly. You like what you are accustomed to.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I hate the DH. I believe a baseball player should be able to hit no matter what position they play. They baby and patsy pitchers so much its kind of sad. Move to a 6 man rotation instead of 5 if they are worried about their arms.

A pitcher is a pitcher, NOT a batter. That is like saying a running back should be able to throw the ball or a kicker shoukd be able to tackle. Yeah they might have to do it every once in a while, but if it isn't their speciality do we really want to see it and most importantly depend on them to in a key situation. NO.

 

[BritishDolfan]

So what I get from this thread is that AL fans like the DH, NL fans don't.

Pretty much.

 

[bamabear82]

Pretty much.

^^^

I don't like the DH one bit but I do think that whatever they do both leagues need to do it the same.

 

[Shanemansj13]

^^^

I don't like the DH one bit but I do think that whatever they do both leagues need to do it the same.

You want to ruin the tradition of the league.

 

[bamabear82]

You want to ruin the tradition of the league.

With the interleague games being played on a regular basis it's bound to happen. You've already got AL guys bitching about their pitchers having to bat in some of these games.

 

[bamabear82]

Not to mention, the real tradition of the game is for the pitchers to sack up and hit.