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Sorry, I loathe the DH. It should be abolished in both leagues. A pitcher is like any other position. If they play on the field they should bat. There's no reason that a pitcher cannot be an effective at the plate. Many do have the skill to be an effective batter. Instead of taking away from that part of the game, maybe pitchers should work on batting practice like any other position. I think it takes away from the strategy of the game for the pitcher not to bat. Not to mention that if the pitcher throws high and inside he has to take his turn at the plate eventually, setting himself up for retaliation. That's part of the excitement of the National League. The DH only extends the career of fat, overweight players that can no longer play effectively on the field, taking roster space from younger more deserving individuals. I've talked with former major league players about just this topic and we agreed on that.
Your argument that pitchers look ridiculous batting/running the bases is baseless. They don't have to perform poorly and teams don't have to draft/sign them. If they abolished the DH that would stop that crap right there. Colleges would then have their pitchers bat, which is what they should do since they are out on the field. Every team would have the same advantage/disadvantage.
In the past most shortstops didn't have very high batting averages. Most teams didn't weigh that part of their games as much as other positions because of their "highly specialized skills and talents". It's time we did away with this fallacy that pitchers can't bat or run. Good god, they've got two arms, two legs and are supposed to be athletes. If they can't then maybe they need to draft/sign someone who can. I see examples every year of pitchers that successfully lay down a bunt, hit the sacrifice fly, make the shallow single or steal the base. Baseball should evolve like you say it has. It's a blight on the game and should be remedied by abolishing it in the AL.
Yep...completely baseless. That, my friend, is what I call a "blight on the game".
By your logic, you'd require kickers to play WR or RB. They are football players, they have two arms and two legs, and are supposed to be athletes. No...nothing would suffer at all. Great WR's would simply learn to be great kickers in their spare time. Sure, DPE might pull a hammy and be out for the year while kicking a meaningless extra point in a blowout victory, but apparently that's perfectly OK for you.
We cannot stay healthy. First Yadi, then Waino, then Heyward. We couldn't get out of Milwaukee quick enough last weekend.It sucks, but the Cardinals will overcome the big loss.
If Abner Doubleday wanted a DH, he would have put it in the rules when he invented the game. (okay, he probably didn't invent the game but you get my point)
The game will have reduced brawls because pitchers will have a bat in their hand after the plunk someone
Here's a recent interesting article on the subject: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...tting-is-dumb-and-the-dh-should-be-universal/
And so no one will say I'm cherry picking articles, here's one from the other side of the argument: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/mlb-national-league-designated-hitter-debate-adam-wainwright/
Yes, you are cherry picking your supporting docs. Nothing changes the truth. You like the DH. However, the game is much more interesting without the DH. A pitcher can get injured pitching. Should he no longer be allowed to pitch? A pitcher can get injured driving a car. Should he no longer be allowed to drive? A pitcher can get injured picking up his children. Should he no longer be allowed to pick up his children? Think about it.
You find pitchers hitting boring. I find the AL boring. Getting on base (hits, walks), moving the runners (hits, steals, sac flies, sac bunts), pinch hitting, pinch running... all of this is more exciting than waiting around for the big homer. The DH lessens the game of baseball.
Oh, and way to derail a thread. Just wanted to let Cardinals fans know that I'm sorry that he got injured. The Rangers had so many injuries last year that it just decimated their season. And there is no DH in the American League. Injuries happen, but is not a reason that pitchers shouldn't bat.
Seriously. It was out of control. We are going to need Carlos Martinez to grow up fast, along with Marco Gonzalez. Wacha was scuffling last night against a weak Phils team, but I am not worried about him. I would love to see a Cole Hamels on this squad, but he is set to make 23 mil a year for the next few years, and that's not how the Redbirds roll.We cannot stay healthy. First Yadi, then Waino, then Heyward. We couldn't get out of Milwaukee quick enough last weekend.
It takes two to tango, buddy. You had every opportunity to stop replying at any time if you wanted to.
Seriously. It was out of control. We are going to need Carlos Martinez to grow up fast, along with Marco Gonzalez. Wacha was scuffling last night against a weak Phils team, but I am not worried about him. I would love to see a Cole Hamels on this squad, but he is set to make 23 mil a year for the next few years, and that's not how the Redbirds roll.
The Cardinals print money and can easily afford Hamels. His contract is reasonable if you look at what the projections will be for the FA pitchers this coming winter. Cards will need an ace for the postseason, especially with the young pitchers on an innings count.
Hamels is the 6th highest paid pitcher in MLB, Waino the 13th. I would love nothing more than to have Hamels, but like I said, that's not generally how the Cardinals roll. I dont like that kind of money tied to 2 pitchers either......but they will need to make a move without question. Would you be willing to part with Marco Gonzalez and Piscotty for Hamels? Because thats what it will take. Likely more.