2 of 25

No

Write now Article Tools

THE DH

When today's fan thinks of the DH rule, they are thinking about how awful it is to have the AL use one and the NL keep the pitcher in to bat. The debate is usually whether or not the AL should switch it's rule so that they will once again bat with their pitcher, just like they did before 1972. Around that time, they needed to drum up the offense. In 1968, there was only one hitter who batted over .300, and that was Carl Yastrzemski (.301). After the season, the rules committee voted to lower the mound down to 16 inches in height, were it is today.

However, there was another pattern that had developed around this time. You see, back in the Joe McCarthy-John McGraw-Wilbert Robinson days of the 1920s and 30s (those are the managers of the NY Yankees, NY Giants, and Brooklyn Dodgers respectively) the hot new trend was platooning players. That is, using a different player against left-handers, as opposed to right-handers. So, what they needed to do was expand the maximum roster size. At the time a team was only allowed to carry sixteen players on a roster. It was expanded to 25. It still is 25, except after September 1st, when the roster expands.

Anyway, back to the 1960-1970 era. Like I said, there was a trend of lower scoring, but, because there was lower scoring, pitchers were completing more games and thus, there wasn't any need for a deep bullpen. Also, there has just been recent expansions. It started in the AL in 1961, and then in the NL in 1962. And the again in the AL in 1969. This much expansion in a short period of time leads to more jobs. But, it also dilutes the talent pool that is on your bench. So, given the choice,teams wouldn't platoon their players anymore. Why would you when the guys off the bench are .150 hitters. Something had to be done.

So the combination of 1.) Poor offense, and 2.) A large roster that is not being used, and is costing money, came to it's natural conclusion. That was the DH rule. It allowed you to use the best player off of the bench, and eliminated a poor hitter from the lineup. That is why the DH rule came into effect to begin with. (Side note: The DH rule was first proposed in the 1920s, by Bill Veeck Sr.).

The question is whether or not it is necessary to have one NOW. Well lets take a look at the two reasons that it was instituted in the first place. 1.) Low scoring offenses. Well there's no problem there nowadays. 2.) Large rosters that are not being used, and costing money. Lets think about that one for a while.

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Should baseball get rid of the designated hitter rule??
We want to hear your view. Write now!