Designated hitters are part of the game. Throughout the years, the world of baseball has seen plenty of players take on this role. Among the most successful players that focused solely on offense we will find many greats of the game. Frank Thomas, David Ortiz, Paul Molitor, and the late Don Baylor all spent seasons as professional hitters. Those are just a few examples of how crucial a DH can be. Designated hitters are also a synonymous with the American League, that is how it should remain. Regardless of commissioner Rob Manfred’s ludicrous ideas, the National League should not adopt the DH.
Following The Trend
Potentially eliminating the pitcher from the batting lineup simply follows a succession of unnecessary “improvements” to the game. Distant expansions and shortening the length of games are other examples of this. Take a look at the reasons to not go with the flow and the DH:
It Would All Be The Same
Regardless of the team or the league, they both would play the same. There would be no difference between one league or the other. That would mean even fewer bunts and no more pitcher vs pitcher duels. Say goodbye to good hitting pitchers such as Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner.
The Mental Game
Just as with pitching, hitting for the pitcher is an art. By eliminating the pitcher from the equation, the pinch hitter would also lose importance. Managers would no longer use substitutions in the place of the pitcher to get an edge on the opposing team
The Same Old Song
It seemed like we had forgotten about the National League DH topic. That was until Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Jimmy Nelson got injured. Nelson injured his shoulder during a sliding return to first base against the Chicago Cubs. Nelson’s absence could very well affect the Brewers’ postseason possibilities. Furthermore, it re-ignited the old debate. Some will argue the DH is needed to avoid injuries such as Nelson’s. If we follow the same outdated logic, batters should replace their wooden bats for aluminum ones. Doing so would avoid injuries by bat fragments to infielders and other pitchers. Speaking about pitchers, a protective hat would also be mandatory in order to protect them at the mound. Managers could start wearing catchers’ masks, so they can protect themselves against any spit from the umpires during arguments. If the reason behind this are injuries, then we must lock our eyes on a different target.
The Real Threat
It is right in front of us. The real source of injuries for pitchers is not batting, nor is it running the bases. They themselves are their own injury source. Injuries come from doing what pitchers do: pitching. Yu Darvish, Matt Harvey, Stephen Strasburg, among numerous others. They have all gone under the knife, thanks to the Tommy John surgery. In some cases, the UCL injury has ended careers, such was the case for former Blue Jay Josh Johnson. It is no secret, elbows do not like to throw baseballs at 90 mph time and time again.
Deal With It
Above all possible injuries and issues baseball may face, the National League must not opt for the DH. Pitchers have picked up their bats and swung away since all of us have memory. By using the designated hitter in both leagues, MLB would lose one of the elements that makes it the best baseball league in the world. La Crème de la Crème. In the same way, it would lose one of the quirks that make baseball what it is. Injuries happen, we can try our best to avoid them, but once they happen, there is nothing we can do. And by no means are injuries exclusive to America’s Greatest Pastime. After all, pitchers, at least in the NL, are like any other player in the field. And so they take their at bats just like anybody else.