(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
In recent years, a big debate has formed on whether or not the National League should install a designated hitter like the American League. The addition of a DH would be in the interest of pitcher safety because somes serious season-ending injuries have been caused while pitchers have been batting or running the bases. In 1973, the American League adopted the designated hitter rule, but the National League has not had one ever since it was founded in 1876. It seems like nowadays every time a pitcher gets injured while batting you can cue someone saying “this is why the National League should have a DH.” But it’s not that simple and I asked some of my fellow writers at Super Two Sports to share their opinion on the subject.
Matthew Wadleigh (Padres writer): No DH.
S.P. Duckworth(Phillies Writer): I am more of a traditionalist baseball fan and really don’t like much change to the game in general. I like the strategy that goes with the pitcher’s spot.
Brett Giles (Cardinals writer): No DH.
As for me, the National League should not have a DH because it’s one of the distinct things that sets two leagues apart and as S.P. said it would take the strategy out of it that goes into the pitcher’s spot in the lineup. For an example, the Phillies in the past couple of series have been batting their pitchers eighth in the order and it’s worked out for them.
Having a DH would take some of the creativity out of the game and obviously there will be more offense. I understand some people like see high scoring games and get sick of pitcher’s dominating, but it’s apart of the game and has been forever. There have been a decent amount of changes to the game of baseball in past years and I don’t want the game to lose any of its identity.
In the last five years, only three pitchers have been injured while batting and two of them are pretty big names, which explains why the sudden change of heart throughout the league. Adam Wainwright had his season end last year in April after injuring himself while batting and Max Scherzer jammed his thumb while hitting causing him to miss a start. However, the fact of the matter is pitchers are more likely to get hit by a line-drive than they are to injure themselves batting. Since 2013, seven pitchers have been hit in the face by a line-drive and balls back up the middle occur every game and pitchers are sitting ducks out there most of time.
The National league adding a DH would takes one of the thrills out of the game like seeing Mad Bum homer off Clayton Kershaw or those times watching Carlos Zambrano launch some home runs and break his bat over his thigh when he got angry. And who could forget about Bartolo Colon, who Mets fans love watching him hit hit and the types of adventures he has at the plate. Baseball has changed enough recently and they should stop focusing on what they can change, but starting focusing on the things that makes this game great.
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