A New Idea about the DH

I was kinda think about this for a while now. To make things fair about the designated hitter, I think it would be fair to use the designated hitter in 81 games for the American League, and 81 games for the National League. Wouldn't that be great? Both leagues would be equal, and no one would be complaining in either league. Maybe the designated hitter could be used for the first 81 of a season when there is an All-Star game in an American League Stadium, and they can be used in the last 81 of a season when there is an All-Star game in a National League Stadium. I know, this will be a problem for guys who are known for being designated hitters, such as David Ortiz, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, and Travis Hafner, but it would definitely level out the leagues, and give us a better idea as to who the better teams are. Just a thought. What do you guys think?

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InsanMajor Leaguer

468 days ago

Score -3

AL fans don't complain about the DH. NL fans so because they are closet fans of it and since they can't have it they bitch to AL fans about how it's unfair and cheap. I say the NL just adopt it and everyone has the DH.

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JoshkrossDraft Pick

468 days ago

Score 4

Oh yes. That's exactly why I complain about the DH. Because I like it. Not because of every other negative reason ever elicited for it. I also bitch about homeruns from Mets players, ballpark franks, and that thing your mom does with her tongue.

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JuTMSY4Legend

468 days ago

Score 2

wow...you're getting a plus...that was just hilarious...

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RomiezzoLegend

468 days ago

Score 2

And again, you get a + for just saying that. lol

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RomiezzoLegend

468 days ago

Score 1

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ChristofMVP

468 days ago

Score 3

Something needs to be done. The level of play is simply not even between the leagues. Either make the DH the rule in the National League or eliminate it from the American League. I prefer the former over the latter, but at this point, will accept either.

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JoshkrossDraft Pick

468 days ago

Score 0

As for your idea, regardless of merit, no one will go for it. The DH is an all or nothing issue. People generally love it or hate it.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

468 days ago

Score 4

Keep it as it is. Of all the issues in baseball at the moment (i.e. drugs etc.), DH is not at the top of the list of problems with the game.

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RomiezzoLegend

468 days ago

Score 1

You're right, it's not at the top of the list, but I just thought I'd make the leagues equals by applying the DH rule fairly among both leagues so that each league could be happy. You're right, the DH isn't at the top of the list as far as problems go, but I'm just sick and tired of everyone bitching and moaning about it..

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InsanMajor Leaguer

468 days ago

Score -1

Great point. First they have to figure out have to end Barry Bonds' career and make it look like an accident before he hits 755.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

468 days ago

Score 0

How about get thousands of San Francisco fans to embrace him at a random "Baseball in the Community" (or equivalent) event, and give one kid a thing for an autograph... But the sheet of paper is actually a contract stating that Bonds will retire from baseball immediately, and if he doesn't, the San Francisco Giants would lose Major League status (so any Homers he does score wouldn't be in the Big Leagues)? This has the added benefit of not killing him... Which is always a good thing.

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RomiezzoLegend

468 days ago

Score 1

He's gonna wanna hit 800, Insan. So, we'll have to weep for about a couple more years now..

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

468 days ago

Score 2

I think the DH situation is good. It's nice to have a variety of baseball in the two Leagues. It doesn't really make much difference to be honest - just that pitchers in the AL will probably have a slightly higher ERA than the NL (they don't pitch to pitchers in the AL). So from a statistical point of view, it's worse for AL pitchers, but apart from that, it's fine.

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KelsdadAll-Star

468 days ago

Score 0

Does cricket have the DH, Alex?

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

468 days ago

Score 1

That's a whole freakin' lot more complicated way of making it even than having the same rule in each league.

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RomiezzoLegend

468 days ago

Score 0

How is it complicated? It all comes down to the all star game. If it's gonna be played in an AL stadium, then the DH rule be used in both leagues in the first 81 games. If it's in an NL stadium, then the DH rule will be used in the last 81 games. You can make the same rule in each league, but the NL wants to be different than the AL, I gues. So if we can have it BOTH ways, equally divided, then both leagues would be just as happy and they'd each get what they'd want in an equal amount.

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Niteowl049AAA-er

468 days ago

Score 0

Still would rather have it in both leagues but the 81-81 would be better than it is now...good idea.

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KelsdadAll-Star

468 days ago

Score 1

Let's not use it at all.

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JamelAll-American

468 days ago

Score -1

How did this mess begin in the first place?

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RomiezzoLegend

468 days ago

Score 0

It was a mess when I posted this... lol

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TyduffyRed-Shirting

468 days ago

Score 0

I'm sorry but I think that suggestion is completely dumb. No fans complain about the DH in the American League. There is some argument for tradition, but I would rather watch David Ortiz bat than a pitcher.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

468 days ago

Score -1

Enough with the bitching about this stupid debate. Here is a compromise. Make the AL designated hitters frigging pitch when in the lineup and force the NL pitchers to continue to hit for themselves. And no matter what - NOBODY can wear warm-up jackets when running the bases. Fair?

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KelsdadAll-Star

468 days ago

Score -1

Jeez, TB, what's up with the hostility? If a subject is stupid to you, let it go. We all don't find the same subjects interesting, you know?

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DNLLegend

468 days ago

Score 0

The DH is never going away, because it's a starting job, and the union won't give up a high-paying starting job. Frank Thomas is getting $5MM plus bonus; Jim Thome $14MM; David Ortiz another $13MM.

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KelsdadAll-Star

468 days ago

Score 4

There was actually a proposal in the last collective barganing agreement to eliminate the DH, with there being a five year "grandfather" clause to allow guys like Thomas and Ortiz and Thome to finish their careers. The trade off would have been an extra roster spot to each team, including the NL teams. So no job would have been lost, technically, but because there were more pressing issues on the agenda, like revenue sharing, the DirectTV deal, and getting the amateur draft straightened out, the DH proposal never made it to the table for voting.

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