Should the NL add the DH?

[splitterpfj]

This is an interesting article, pointing out the evolution of the DH, and how a lot of 'em are impact hitters now, instead of fading stars. It also looks at the impact the DH has on payroll, which is a point that often gets overlooked in these discussions.

 

When the Brewers switched leagues, I thought I'd absolutely hate the loss of the DH, but the opposite has been true. I absolutely prefer the NL style of play now. I know the players will never OK ditching the DH now, but I think it's silly to see the two leagues working under different sets of rules. My vote would be to ban the DH, but since I know that's wasted effort, I think I'd vote to add the DH to the NL, just for conformity's sake. The current system makes as much sense as if the NBA allowed 3 pt shots in half the arenas.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=3081587

[trwi7]

Yeah I hate the DH but I know players, especially DH's would get rid of it so I'm all for making all things equal and bringing the DH to the NL.

[Fatter than Joey]

I think it's silly to see the two leagues working under different sets of rules.

 

I disagree -- I like the difference between the leagues -- It makes the WS seem less arbitrary.

[twobrewers]

Yeah I hate the DH but I know players, especially DH's would get rid of it so I'm all for making all things equal and bringing the DH to the NL.

I also dislike the DH, but I think it gives a big advantage to AL teams in the World Series. AL teams have budgeted for the DH position and often have their best hitter in that spot. (Ortiz, Hafner etc) When an NL team is forced to use the DH, the usually put their 9th best hitter in the position.

 

For instance, the Brewers would have likely used Braun as DH and started Counsell at 3B. So that adds Counsell's bat to our lineup (Yippie!) While Boston is able to start both Youk and Ortiz.

 

On the reverse side, you could argue that AL pitchers must bat when in the NL - and since they never do, it is a disadvantage to the AL teams. The problem is, the difference between Sheets batting and Dice-K batting is negligable. (They are both pitchers, and likely suck at batting) So while we gain no real advantage by having our pitchers bat, they gain a HUGE advantage by having one of their best players in the lineup.

 

Of course, if you are going to argue only for conformity's sake - baseball is also the only sport that uses different dimensions for their playing fields. Can you imagine going to a basketball game where the rim was set to 11 feet? (But in baseball the distance to all of the walls are different) I always thought that odd.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

The DH is to blame for the AL winning the last 2,543,678,980 All Star Games in a row. Maybe Barry Bonds is to blame.

 

In all seriousness, i don't know that the DH has a major impact though the AL has won 6 of the past 10. That said, if you take out the Yankees 3 year run, its 3-3 in the past six.

 

2006: St Louis (NL)

2005: Chicago (AL)

2004: Boston (AL)

2003: Florida (NL)

2002: Anaheim (AL)

2001: Arizona (NL)

2000: New York (AL)

1999: New York (AL)

1998: New York (AL(

1997: Florida (NL)

[Ennder]

I'd love to see the NL add the DH. Watching a pitcher hit isn't fun baseball to me, taking out a pitcher because he comes up to bat in a key situation isn't fun baseball to me either.

 

It adds a little bit more strategy but the loss of fun is just too high in my opinion.

[Invader3K]

While I do enjoy the NL style of play, I'm starting to think the NL should adopt it as well. Every other level of baseball uses the DH...the NL may as well. Also, with the insane amount of moneys pitchers get paid to throw the ball, it doesn't make sense to put a bat in their hands, when most of them have no business standing in a batter's box to begin with.

[sbrylski]

I'd love to see pitchers learn how to hit a little. Or at least become expert bunters.

 

I do not want to see the DH in the NL.

[TheBrewer]

I'm opposed to it. When was the DH added to the AL?. I personally like it how it is to be honest. Yes they get the perks in the AL with that but to bring it to the NL.. idk wouldnt care for it

[AJAY]

I am absolutely against the DH. The National League has so much more interesting strategy because of the pinch-hitting, double switches, pitching changes, etc. I actually think the American League should dump the DH.

[sbrylski]

To get the Players Association to agree to dropping the DH, you could threaten them with contraction. Two less teams equal 50 less ML spots, while no DH means 14 less ML spots. Just a thought.

[bullox]

Something tells me that MLB would rather keep all of its teams than kill the DH.

[Weirdos19]

I would kill the DH in a second. I hate watching AL games.

 

There is far less strategy in the AL game. No double switches. No sacrifices. Boring.

 

The NL uses more bench, makes more pitching changes, and generally is a harder game to manage.

 

NL is a better game to watch, IMO.

[Weirdos19]

If you don't bring your glove you don't play.

 

Could you imagine playing as a kid and using the DH because a kid couldn't hit well? That's what would happen in every league if the DH was universal.

 

Baseball is already specialized too much. Get rid of the DH and add another roster spot.

 

Sorry if I get a little carried away. DH is not pure baseball. It sucks.

[Ennder]

I never have understood that argument. Having your pitcher bunt isn't strategy, its just common sense since they are so miserable at the plate. A double switch takes one of your better players out of the lineup, while that is strategy it isn't one that really makes the game more fun to watch.

 

The only reason I could see the NL being more fun is people like to watch scrubs and roleplayers instead of starters.

[sheetswannabe]

If you play you hit, if you hit you play. I love no DH. If anything I would rather have the AL remove the DH

[billyhallfan]

crash davis wouldn't want the dh, and I don't either. The game is fine the way it is, I think it should be left the way it is.

[brettac1]

I would love to see the DH in the NL. Like Ennder said - how is watching the pitcher hit entertaining? Bunting is never done by someone other than a pitcher, anyhow, so bemoaning the loss of the sacrifice is kind of wrong, I think.

 

Besides - it's harder for an idiot manager to screw up, that's especially relevant as a Brewers fan.

[bretsky07]

The only reason I would want the DH in the NL is to keep Prince away from any sort of fielding. Plus, we might still have Overbay if Prince could DH.

[Fatter than Joey]

Besides - it's harder for an idiot manager to screw up, that's especially relevant as a Brewers fan.

 

Yeah -- Ultimately though -- I have always felt that there is more overall strategy when you don't have automatic outs in your lineup.

[mothershipconnection]

I'm not a fan of the DH at all. Why not just go all the way and have offensive and defensive players like football?

 

On the reverse side, you could argue that AL pitchers must bat when in the NL - and since they never do, it is a disadvantage to the AL teams. The problem is, the difference between Sheets batting and Dice-K batting is negligable.

 

Plus, free agency and player movement often means that the guys in both leagues can have equal experience batting. It would've mattered more back in the day when pitchers often played their whole career with one or two teams.

[billyhallfan]

Besides - it's harder for an idiot manager to screw up, that's especially relevant as a Brewers fan.

 

Ohh, I'm sure that Ned would find a way to screw up with the DH, let's not give him too much credit. Counsell and Munson would probably platoon the DH spot if it were in the NL.

[Mike Felder]

I would love the DH in the NL. It's what I miss most from our days in the AL. What's the fun in watching pitchers up there looking hapless trying to swing the bat? Not only that, but it makes it pretty hard to get excited when the guys towards the bottom of your order do anything. Example: two outs and the #7 batter smacks a double. A chance to score, right? Wrong. IBB the #8 guy and up comes the pitcher to feebly end the inning. Teams can't get away with that in the AL.

 

There's still strategy with the DH too. Boston has used defensive replacements in both of its World Series runs (Mientkiewicz, Kapler, Ellsbury, Crisp). Managers play lefty-righty matchups out of the bullpen even more because they don't have to worry about whether the pitcher's spot is due up next inning and if they'll have anyone to PH. Besides, look at the guys we usually run out there as part of double switches. Counsell? Mench? A rule that would make us see less of these guys is a bad thing?

 

Finally, a question for you. Who would you rather have coming to the plate in a big spot: Paul Molitor or Ben Sheets (or Counsell if they decide to PH)? It's a no-brainer. And if you want to pooh-pooh that because I picked possibly the greatest DH ever, fine. Take Sheets/Counsell vs. Kevin Seitzer. Or Greg Vaughn. Or Don Money. Or Larry Hisle. Or even an aged Hank Aaron. All of those guys served us well as DH at one time or another.

[whizkid]

No, no, a thousand times no.

It works both ways and it probably depends on if you're more offensive or pitching/defense oriented. Who would you rather be coming up for the opponent with guys on, a pitcher or a regular position player.

It adds to my excitement with Yo that he's a good hitting pitcher which gives the Brewers an advantage in the games he pitches.

It would hurt the Brewers relative to big market clubs because it's another regular spot to fill out of the available payroll level.

Conformity is a bad reason to do anything in life.

 

 

[davego]

My rub with the AL game is they tend to be so long.