| The DH Debate |
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| Written by Troy Chuinard | |
| Tuesday, 20 November 2007 | |
American League or National League? You take your pick. It is clear that these two factions differ from each other in many aspects of the game, primarily due to the fact that the National League does not utilize an every day designated hitter. But are DH’s good or bad for the game?
That question may be hard to decipher, but the truth is that there is a fine line between the two leagues as a result of this rule. Take, for instance, players such as David Ortiz or Frank Thomas. It is safe to say that these athletes are not capable of playing a position on a regular basis. However, their presence in the lineup cannot be replaced. On the other hand, the National League teams have to hope that their pitchers are able to at least get that sacrifice bunt down to move the runner over. When the two leagues match up in interleague play (and not to mention the World Series), it appears that the American League has the advantage. Should major league officials adopt a uniform policy across the whole league to create more of a balance? Fans will usually say that the American League is more exciting and the better of the two. What they don’t realize is that from a managerial perspective, so much more strategy is required when handling a National League ball club. Double switching, pinch-hitting, and bullpen management all come into effect, and these aspects of the game are almost never considered in the American League. In addition, pitchers have to learn how to bunt properly, as it becomes a key part of a team’s success. Fans in favor of one league usually bash the other league, making it clear that the division has had a significant impact on the game. When it all comes down to it, it is a matter of business. The American League will never even consider adopting the NL DH policy since it would mean that players such as David Ortiz, Travis Hafner, and Jim Thome would be out of a job. Similarly, the National League teams would be forced to increase their payrolls to afford these players if there were a shift to DH. Jim Thome is currently earning around $15 million a year, and while he has just received a $57 million contract extension, Travis Hafner has never played more than 42 games at first base in a single season. American League General Managers have understood that the designated hitter is a valuable asset that can’t be replaced. Do statistics support the claim that American League teams are better at producing runs with the presence of a DH? Last season, 6 of the top 8 run scoring teams were a product of the American League. Over the past seven years, the National League has never had more than half of its teams in the top 10 in total runs scored. The American League also seems to have a bit of an advantage in interleague play, as the current all-time record between the two leagues is 1,250 to 1,202, a considerable differential. The idea of a designated hitter was put into effect in 1973. Currently, the home team’s rules apply when teams from each of the two leagues match up. Will there be any changes in the near future? It is highly unlikely. The only certainty is that the designated hitter will continue to have a significant impact on the distinction of the game.
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