by Chris Humpherys

Created on: September 18, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I'm a man who likes options. Variety is the spice of life, I say. Sometimes I like steak for dinner, sometimes I prefer fish. Often I'm in the mood for a comedy, other times it's a drama or action film.

The same can be said for my sports interests. Sometimes I like a fast-paced, up-tempo game. At other times, I can really sink my teeth into a good, defensive struggle.

That is why keeping the designated hitter in the American League is the right thing to do. Sports is (supposed to be) about the fans and the D.H. gives fans an option. Those who prefer more high-powered offense can tune in to watch the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels or Detroit. Those who prefer the old school, senior circuit way of manufacturing runs can opt for the National League.

To be perfectly honest, I grew up an American League guy. I'd rather watch paint dry than have to watch most National League pitchers hit. Half the time it looks like they're batting from the wrong side of the plate! Call me crazy, but watching Brandon Webb bat .088 is not my idea of a good time. Sure, it's impressive when the better hitting pitchers take the mound and still bat for average. But Babe Ruth was an anomaly. For the most part, pitchers are horrific batters.

Eons ago, when I played high school baseball, coaches separated the pitchers from the rest of the team at the beginning of the season. We never saw those guys unless they faced us on the mound. Pitchers practiced separately, had different stretches and workout routines, and rarely, if ever, took batting practice. That's because their position requires highly specified skills, one of which is NOT being relied upon for offense. Pitchers don't play every day like offensive players do, so it's much more difficult for them put the bat on the ball with regularity, never mind be relied upon for the occasional RBI. To give you an example, Carlos Zambrano leads the NL with 19 hits in 33 games.

Don't get me wrong. I don't condone designated hitters being unable to play a defensive position. That puts their team at a disadvantage. For example, if David Ortiz could not play a lick of first base, Terry Francona's options would be severely limited. Growing up a Red Sox fan, Boston had Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn, Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski. As a fan, you wanted to see all those guys take the plate. One problem there's not four outfield positions in baseball.

Major League Baseball originally established the designated hitter in 1973 to cure then struggling American League offenses.

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