Sad Day in Baseball History

[BOSSHOG]

April 6th, 1973, the American League introduces the designated hitter. What next? Artificial turf? Domed Stadiums? Steroids? Fewer Day games? Multi-million dollar contracts? Eight bucks for a beer?

Take me out to the ballgame (at Connie Mack the summer of 1964!)

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Devastating

They haven't played baseball in the American League since.

The DH, the NBA's rules on "illegal" defense and some silly idea in the NFL about how close to the line of scrimmage a potential receiver can be before a defender can get in his way are the dumbest rules in sports, all pandering to those who mistake high scoring for excitement. I look forward when each of these offenses to strategic thought will be a thing of the past.

[Forkboy]

2. Even as an AL type guy I'd love to see the DH rule done away with.

It takes away a lot of the strategy.

Of course, when I watch hockey and football I root for the defense more than the offense, so that may explain my not liking the DH rule.

[BOSSHOG]

3. I guess

I'm a neanderthal (no doubt you all know that) but I don't see the DH improving the game one bit. It only gives an extra year or two to big armed old farts whose legs have left them. Give me a Wednesday afternoon businessman's special or a Saturday doubleheader starting at 11:00 AM. In my opinion, the only good thing added to baseball in the past 40 years is the Phillie Phanatic with a nice nod to the San Diego Chicken.

[El Supremo]

4. Don't agree

It got rid of the pitcher hitting. Now if you purists could go back in time (long ago) when pitchers could hit, then I'd agree with you.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Good point

but I have the silly notion that pitchers should be the best hitters on any team. Who has more time for batting practice? And why should anyone be a bad hitter solely because of the defensive position they play? DH's don't play defense ergo they shouldn't play at all. But I live to debate the point my friend.

[northzax]

8. who is more valuable?

pitchers are fragile, the force of the mechanics needed to hurl a ball like that are fairly devastating to the body, and they can't play dinged up. A five percent loss of effectiveness from an outfielder might cost you a quarter run a game, on average, and then only of he could run down a long fly that he otherwise might have. It's a once a game event, max. A five percent loss in pitching ability can be devastating, over 90 pitches. You want your pitcher running the basepaths? Sliding?
Scenario: tie game. Your pitcher hits a single. He's your best closer, you brought him in in the 8th to protect the tie. So it's the top of the ninth. Do you pinch hit? Nah, he's a good hitter. So he singles. Pinch runner? With no one to protect the lead in the bottom? Nah. Next guy hits a double, your pitcher rounds third. Do you tell him to go? Knowing he's going to have to have a plate collission or slide to score? Anyother player you would, do you risk the five million dollar a year arm? Or give up your shot at the winning run?


Tell me, if I offered you your choice between two pitchers, both will start 30 games and have the same chance of injury at the plate or on the mound. One has a 3.5. era and bats .150. The other has a 4.0 era and bats .250. Who do you want?

[MaineDem]

6. Single admission double headers will be the next to go

Oh the shame of it.

:(

[quip]

7. I'm still mourning the advent of the

glove! LOL

[SpiralHawk]

9. Right on. Catch it like a Real Man

[El Supremo]

10. Can you read this from the Denver Post last month?