I think its a wash. The NL uses a reserve to either DH or play the field, and have guys who aren't used to DHing DH. Most AL teams have to sit a big part of their line up or play someone where they are not used to playing. The Sox have the second best interleague record of all time, and except for one season, their DH was a huge part of their line up, so for 9 games they were able to do OK without him. Of course the year the Sox used the DH like an NL team does 9 times a year, they did go 15-3 against the NL. I think just about every level of baseball uses a DH now except the NL. Let them get with the program and adopt it, so we don't have to watch pitchers try to hit anymore. There's still plenty of strategy left in the game.

Sorry, I did not mean to imply that you thought there was no advantage.

 

Yes several have stated they felt little or no advantage and I thought your comment was a nice set up for my side of the discussion.

 

I don't think anyone said that there's no advantage to batting a DH over a pitcher (I'm assuming any team can plug in a DH who will outhit just about any pitcher). They were just comparing whether it's harder for AL teams to adapt to the NL rule or vice versa.

I can't see a scenario where the NL ever adopts the DH and I can't see a scenario where the AL ever gives it up. At least not in the next couple decades. The AL has the Union on their side (since it extends guys careers), while the NL has tradition and history to not having it.

 

I don't know, seems like we're entering an era where the pitchers have the upper hand again over the hitters. If owners want to generate more offense, the DH is a good place to start, at least in the NL.

I don't think anyone said that there's no advantage to batting a DH over a pitcher (I'm assuming any team can plug in a DH who will outhit just about any pitcher). They were just comparing whether it's harder for AL teams to adapt to the NL rule or vice versa.

 

 

Yes comparing whether it is harder for AL teams to adapt or vice versa is what some have stated but that is exactly why the application of the rules are unfair to the AL.

 

As you correctly state any team can plug in a DH who will outhit just about any pitcher thus the NL exercises their option to use the DH in the AL and the AL has no such option in the NL.

 

Advantage NL and Disadvantage AL.

 

Just our luck we start play in the NL tomorrow and we may be forced to sit Dayan (did I spell his first name correctly:).

The real question is...who cares?

The real question is...who cares?

 

 

Baseball fans on a discussion board.

I don't like the DH. It removes some of the managerial strategy. It makes room for more "professionals" coming up that can't catch a baseball. On the other hand it allows some players to have longer careers. I still get a laugh when Luzinski had to borrow a glove during an extra inning game.

I'm not impressed with interleague play so much either. Maybe they can limit it to the beginning of the season and have the Midwest and East Coast teams play those on the West Coast. The Cross Town Classic is now a major yawn.

 

Edited May 18, 201213 yr by kitekrazy

I don't like the DH. It removes some of the managerial strategy. It makes room for more "professionals" coming up that can't catch a baseball. On the other hand it allows some players to have longer careers. I still get a laugh when Luzinski had to borrow a glove during an extra inning game.

I'm not impressed with interleague play so much either. Maybe they can limit it to the beginning of the season and have the Midwest and East Coast teams play those on the West Coast. The Cross Town Classic is now a major yawn.

With Houston moving to the AL next season, there will be an interleague series constantly going on. I still think there is plenty of strategy with the DH and I think watching pitchers go up to the plate to strikeout is silly. NL, adopt the DH. The crosstown classic may be a yawn to you, but its still pretty popular with the majority of fans. How can you not get teary eyed when Paulie hoists the BP Cup?

With Houston moving to the AL next season, there will be an interleague series constantly going on. I still think there is plenty of strategy with the DH and I think watching pitchers go up to the plate to strikeout is silly. NL, adopt the DH. The crosstown classic may be a yawn to you, but its still pretty popular with the majority of fans. How can you not get teary eyed when Paulie hoists the BP Cup?

The dispersants have destroyed my tear ducts.

NL needs the DH, MLBPA needs the DH.