Players' union sees 'value' with universal DH

[Auggie]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The designated hitter rule, since its inception in 1973, has been exclusive to the American League, but now, players are open to a universal DH that would extend to the National League.

“We do believe that there is value to it, particularly where our game is,” said Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Clark, who held his annual meeting with Giants players hours before Friday night’s Cactus League exhibition, confirmed the union has expressed its willingness for a universal DH rule in discussions with owners over many proposed rule changes.

A universal DH wouldn’t be in play in 2019, Clark said. Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed his desire to keep the status quo and the DH in one league.

Link (probably paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Players-union-sees-value-with-universal-13657416.php

The DH dumbs down baseball, just like the 3-point shot dumbs down hoops. Fitting, I guess, for a nation of morons.

[True Dough]

1. I stand with the Players Association

Having pitchers hitting still, in 2019, is the Baines of our existence, to borrow from a great DH's name!





Save your "strategy" for the chess board. I want to see the best hitters in baseball at the plate!

[Auggie]

2. The bunt sacrifice is a work of art

[True Dough]

3. I agree with that part

But I've seen position players other than pitchers bunt. I swear I have!!!

[JonLP24]

4. I think there is more strategy in the NBA

You need quick thinking centers that can make reads instead of the old days of posting up and panhandling your way to the hoop. This is why Big Baby Davis and other similar types are quickly out of the league. That and the elimination of hand checking.

I don't support the DH .

[ProfessorGAC]

9. What Jon Said!

The three pointer has NOT dumbed down the NBA! It's sped up the game rather than everything using 20 seconds for a big dude to back down defenders, then realize the d has fallen in, then toss it to a guy with 4 seconds to shoot
The DH, not the same.
The game is not more exciting because there's one more hitter.
It slows down the game!

[Brother Buzz]

5. Tony Clark was a one-year-old when the American League adopted the designated hitter rule

And certainly no active player has experienced MLB when this was not an issue. Just an observation

I have never been keen on this designated hitter thing, and it's the major reason I do not follow the American League beyond a cursory look at the box scores, but I can change.

In the mean time, I will enjoy Bruce Bochy's last year as a Giants manager and wonder, if he had a designated hitter, how many times he would have inserted his ace pitcher, Madison Bumgarner in as a designated hitter during his rotation, and who would get to skip batting when Bumgarner was on the mound.

[Auggie]

6. I think I can answer your Madbum question:

very few times. It’s not worth the potential injury. Even in extra inning games, unless the roster is totally depleted.

[Brother Buzz]

7. Bochy has repeatedly used him as a pinch-hitter

And the bench wasn't depleted, but rather, when a lot of the sluggers were on the disabled roster. Injuries have been the curse of the Giants the last few years.

[Auggie]

10. 12 times in 10 seasons ...

according to https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumgama01.shtml#all_appearances

I thought it might be a little more, though not "repeatedly." (BTW, I looked for a confirming or conflicting source but couldn't find one -- if you can please share).

It would be reckless to risk hand injury to your ace in a PH role. Only when out of position players or need a sac bunt from a pitcher or, in the rarest of conditions, the match-up to just too good to pass up.

[Brother Buzz]

12. "Repeatedly" was a bad choice of words.

I guess I was thinking, more like 'more then once', like the time Bochy used him as a pinch-hitter last season, then repeated it the next day.

Riddle me this, "Why does Bruce Bochy allow Bumgarner to risk injury and hit, then pulled from the game at the end of the inning?" It's something he's done more then once. The best I can figure is Bochy knows what he's doing, and it's why he's getting paid the big dollars.

[Auggie]

14. Got it

Bumgarner HAS to bat in the NL. But the more he does -- the more any pitcher does -- the greater risk there is of injury.

I think it's Mike Krukow who has commented pitchers are coached to pretty much just take pitches unless the situation warrants a sacrifice or other productive out. I believe that is the Giants' philosophy.

Bumgarner is a pull hitter with some power, but he's really not that good of a hitter. Should a pitcher hang a breaking ball there's a good chance it could find the deep outfield, if not the seats. So ... wait for a hanger.

As for timing I'd have to agree with you -- Bochy knows what he's doing. He won three World Series in which his teams were heavy underdogs. I'm going to miss him.

[Brother Buzz]

15. Kinda off topic, but "Repeatedly" could be properly applied to the late great Don Newcombe

He was used as a pinch-hitter 88 times during his pitching career; to Hell with risk of injury.

[Iggo]

8. "Value" equals 30 more big contracts.

[Auggie]

11. +1 -- Nailed it

[Yavin4]

13. Pitchers don't hit on any other level, college, minor leagues (mostly), etc.

And then we expect them to hit major league pitching?!?!?!

You cannot ask someone to do a task that they've either rarely or never have done before in their lives. There are pitchers in the majors who haven't swung a bat since Little League.