LIPH wrote:Get rid of it. There have always been guys who could hit but were terrible fielders, their teams always found a position for them to play. A perfect example is Ryan Howard from the Phillies. He plays in the National League so he has to play the field but he's such a terrible first baseman I think the only reason he wears a glove on the field is to keep his hand warm.
Also-remember a 1st baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960's-Dick Stuart? They called him "Dr. Strangeglove." If he made less than two errors per game, he was said to have had a great day defensively. Buy JEEZ LOUISE, could he ever hit the crap out of a baseball. (He once hit 68 home runs in the minor leagues).
Big Red Parrothead wrote:Just to play devil's advocate for a minute, look at it from the point of view of a casual fan--someone who likes baseball, but doesn't really follow it that closely. Watches the local team when their games are on TV, but couldn't tell you what the third string catcher's OPB is with RISP and 2 out.
Now let's say he wants to take the wife and kids out for some "quality family time" at the ballpark. So he shells out $20 a ticket, another $10-15 to park, who knows how much for soda and various forms of sweet, sticky stuff for the kids and then takes out a second mortgage to go visit the souvenir stand. Now he finally gets to his seat and all he wants to do is see a fun game.
Given the above scenario, whom is he more likely to want to see--somebody like David Ortiz or Edgar Martinez? Or someone who is going to stand at the plate, swing like a girl (no offense to all of our wonderful BN ladies--it's just a figure of speech) at three high fastballs, strike out and walk back to the dugout like nothing just happened?
I'm not saying that is my personal opinion, but I follow baseball more closely than what the average person at a ballgame does. The whole point of the DH was to inject a little more offense and excitement into the game and, from the point of a casual fan--to whom all this "strategy" you talk about is meaningless, it has certainly done that.
SuperTrooper wrote:As far as who is the stronger league: since the DH was added in 1973(I think) the AL team has won 20 out of 32 World Series (no WS in 1994).
But don't they only use the DH in American League ballparks in the World Series? So even if it's a 4 game sweep, the pitchers still have to bat in 2 of the games.
I grew up in a house of Tigers fans, had season tickets to the Rangers for years, and somewhat follow the Devil Rays now that I am in Florida (still love my Rangers) as a lifelong AL fan, I think the DH makes for a more interesting game.
I would much rather see an aging Jose Canseco or Julio Franco (both Rangers DHs back when we had tix) come to the plate than some pitcher!
SMLCHNG wrote:All players have to practice and improve on their skills in fielding and batting, why shouldn't pitchers have to do the same?
If we were discussing little league baseball I would agree with you .
I look at pitchers the same as quarterbacks... it's a very specialized position. You don't see quarterbacks kicking fieldgoals. Pitchers pitch, hitters hit.
SMLCHNG wrote:For those who love the game of baseball - just wanted to know your feelings on the Designated Hitter?
IMHO, it shouldn't be there.
MLB is the only professional sport that has different rules for each league (that I'm aware of, anyway). NFL, NHL, NBA, etc., does not.
As an example.. Football. If the QB throws an interception? He is now on defense - they don't pull him out of the game.
I'm a National League fan as I grew up with the Cubs, and root for the Rockies.
Do you think if you grew up in American League city you might think that the DH was a good thing? Thinkin' of Red Sox without Big Papi just ain't a good thought.
A DH lends itself to more offensive games ( obviously) but truth be told if they got rid of the DH tomorrow I'd be ok with it.
1. The National League is the ONLY organized league in the WORLD that does NOT use the DH. That is a fact.
2. Going along Ragtop's earlier comments, why would anyone want to see a guy who can't hit his weight and is almost certain to look just plain stupid at the plate hit and screw up a rally? If pitchers starting hitting North of .200 I'll change my mind.
I'm back to livin' Floridays
Blue skies and ultra-violet rays
Lookin' for better days, lookin' for better days
Lookin' for Floridays
SMLCHNG wrote:For those who love the game of baseball - just wanted to know your feelings on the Designated Hitter?
IMHO, it shouldn't be there.
MLB is the only professional sport that has different rules for each league (that I'm aware of, anyway). NFL, NHL, NBA, etc., does not.
As an example.. Football. If the QB throws an interception? He is now on defense - they don't pull him out of the game.
I'm a National League fan as I grew up with the Cubs, and root for the Rockies.
I agree with you entirely! Also grew up with the Cubs (and am still with them). Baseball should be played on grass, in the daytime, with no designated hitter!!!
If every team played like the Cubs do then no one would ever win the world series
- - “If it doesn't work out there will never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.”
st.somewhere wrote:Do you think if you grew up in American League city you might think that the DH was a good thing? Thinkin' of Red Sox without Big Papi just ain't a good thought.
Born and bred Red Sox fan, but I hate the DH rule. It just does not seem right to me. When you play a team sport, you play offense and defense. Even in baseball in the little leagues, high school, college and minors the pitchers hit. It is only in the American League of the pros that they don't.
NFL players don't play both offense and defense.
Neither does ARod
- - “If it doesn't work out there will never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.”
SUCKS! SUCKS! SUCKS! SUCKS!
