DH should not be part of World Series

[Red October]

DH should not be part of World Series
By Bob Ford

Inquirer Sports Columnist

[excerpt]

Imagine if two teams advanced to the Super Bowl in the NFL and, upon getting there, one of the teams discovered that half of the game would be played with 12 men on the field for each team, and the other discovered that for half of the game, there would be five downs to get a first down.

And each team also discovered that the other team had been playing that way all season long.

Well, that sort of thing can't happen in football. Only baseball, under the slumbering stewardship of commissioner Bud Selig, would be dumb enough to play by two sets of rules - with those very different games colliding each fall in the World Series.

Bud has only had 16 years in office to solve the problem of the designated hitter rule, so maybe he'll get around to it eventually.

One of many fashion mistakes of the 1970s, the designated hitter was put in place by the American League because its team owners believed in creating false offense more than they believed in the intrinsic beauty of the game. (  , JMHO)

The National League came close to joining the American League, but fortunately never did. As a result, because pitchers still must bat for themselves, the strategy that makes managing such a difficult profession in the NL is still alive. And the wonderfully unexpected, as when Brett Myers had three hits in Game 2 of the championship series against Los Angeles, is still possible.

American League managers don't have to worry about when to pinch-hit for the pitcher, don't have to sort through the possible double switches that will save their bench players, and really don't have to do much but write a lineup and then push the buttons.

It's an inferior game, and the Phillies will be playing it in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series this week and, possibly, in Games 6 and 7 as well. The American League holds the home-field advantage for this year's Series, thanks to a 15-inning, 4-3 win in the All-Star Game in July, the only loss suffered by Brad Lidge this season.

At any point in his tenure, citing the "best interests" of the game, the commissioner could have said, "All right, three seasons from now, the DH is done." And it would have been. That would have given teams plenty of time to plan for the change, and it would have made baseball a better sport.

It's a toss-up whether the NL teams having to play with a designated hitter are at a greater disadvantage than AL teams that suddenly can't use one - which will be the case in the Phillies' home games at Citizens Bank Park. Either way, it's just a silly situation.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20081020_Bob_Ford__DH_should_not_be_part_of_World_Series.html

Formerlurker having a cow in 5, 4, 3, 2...   

[NHSparky]

How about we just get rid of the DH entirely?  It was a cute idea but it simply doesn't work and unqualified players are getting into Cooperstown simply because they could pad their batting stats for a few years while they gimped instead of being everyday players.

[Chris_]

Real men bat for themselves.   

 

[NHSparky]

Real men bat for themselves.   

 

Not just that, but as I stated before, Cooperstown wouldn't be filling with guys who padded their stats while they sat on the bench for the last 5-10 years of their careers, guys like (and potential HOF names included):

Eddie Murray
Al Kaline
Rafael Palmiero
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Frank Thomas
David Ortiz
Edgar Martinez
Gary Sheffield
Jim Thome
Paul Molitor

Note that this doesn't include people who would have made Cooperstown despite spending several of their final years pulling DH duty like Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Carl Yaztremski, and the like.

[formerlurker]

 

Seeing as the AL has home field advantage you should be happy you can put an extra bat in the lineup.    Stop whining before I slap you.  

One last note Red Sox DH did close to nothing in the ALCS, so quityerbellyaching.  

[Odin's Hand]

Home runs sell tickets not bunting in the 9 hole to advance the runner at first.

[formerlurker]

Not just that, but as I stated before, Cooperstown wouldn't be filling with guys who padded their stats while they sat on the bench for the last 5-10 years of their careers, guys like (and potential HOF names included):

Eddie Murray
Al Kaline
Rafael Palmiero
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Frank Thomas
David Ortiz
Edgar Martinez
Gary Sheffield
Jim Thome
Paul Molitor

Note that this doesn't include people who would have made Cooperstown despite spending several of their final years pulling DH duty like Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Carl Yaztremski, and the like.

Ok I'll play. 

Let's take Manny Ramirez for a prime example as he is arguably the best hitter and clutch hitter who ever played the game.   Manny Ramirez pretty much will walk into the HOF on first ballot unanimously.      He won't get there because of his fielding skills, or running bases for that matter.   He will get there for hitting and hitting alone.   The contribution he makes to his team is due to his hitting skills.    The liability he carries playing OF will have no place or thought whatsoever in the voting process in getting him there.   The only reason why Manny was not a DH in the AL is because of the player who prior to this year, was the most feared clutch hitter in major league baseball.    Again -- David will be considered for the HOF based on his hitting, not on his defensive skills (which aren't that bad). 

Pitchers hitting is a joke in this game.    They don't take it seriously and it pads the stats of NL pitchers by pretty much spotting them 3 outs a game.    Compare that to the AL pitcher who actually earns his stats by facing the best hitters in baseball every damn game in the cleanup spot.

   <---- this ain't little league boys.

 

[NHSparky]

And when pitchers don't bat, they have no reason NOT to go headhunting.  Take the cases of Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson.  While in the AL, they'd go up and in on guys constantly.  Now that they're NL pitchers and have to face the music, notice how they don't deal nearly as much chin music?

And frankly, I'm more bored with a home run derby than I am a good pitcher's duel which means BOTH teams have to have EVERYONE play, not just a couple of guys stepping up.

And Manny?  Unanimous first-year Cooperstown?  Bwaaaaahahahahahaha!!!

Someone thinks a bit highly of a clubhouse cancer.  Like I said--were that the case, then Edgar Martinez would/should be in the HOF.  But he won't be.  It's time to reevaluate guys who spent over half their careers riding pine and swinging a bat only.  If Papi had to be an everyday player, he sure as hell wouldn't be half the player he was.

You bat AND you play defense.  If you're only doing one of them, then you're only half a player.  Period.

[formerlurker]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pitchers are only half a player then, which is utter nonsense because pitchers win world series.   

Yeah we have such a problem with the throwing at your head nonsense in the AL as compared to the NL..... cause everyone knows how NL pitchers crowd the plate on their at bats.   

Chin music is a part of the game.   This isn't little league. 

You are sniffing some serious glue if you think Manny won't be a first ballot with a unanimous vote.   You take the Red Sox hating just a tad bit too far with that one.   While Manny is a self-serving SOB, he is one of the best hitters we have ever seen play this game.   His self-centered character only plays to his advantage as he is pure ice in clutch situations -- why? cause he knows he is good, and doesn't care either way if he hits the ball or not so there is absolutely no pressure on him.