Do you like the DH rule?
By belhaven14
@belhaven14 (454)
United States
June 17, 2008 11:25am CST
After Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang got hurt running the bases, Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner said, "I just think its time the NL joined the 21st century." Personally, I like letting the pitchers hit. I think it brings in more strategy to the game. You see more bunting runners over and agressive play before the pitchers spot. I also don't like letting a player hit even though he can't play a position. Sure its great to see a David Ortiz hit, but I think he should be forced to play first base too. This will make the decision of offense or defence come more into play. This also made my hate for the Yankees grow. Especially after Hank said, "We go to these NL cities, draw great crowds and we end up losing one of our best pitchers. I'm not happy." Typical Yankees mentality. Baseball should change the way the National League has been operating for years because one Yankee gets hurt. Anyway, enough for my rant. What do you think about the DH rule. Should it be in the National League or not?
2 people like this
9 responses
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I've never had an issue with the DH rule and never thought much about it. I think it's a case of poor training and that's about it. Sure, it's no fun to see a guy injured but it could have happened to anybody. I think even during practice have the pitchers practice running the bases.
As far as Hank Steinbrenner goes, what's next he's going to want his own TV show: A Day in the Life of Hank Steinbrenner? This guy just talks too much.
As far as should it or shouldn't it, I'd leave it because then it really separates both the AL and NL and has something different about them.
2 people like this
@belhaven14 (454)
• United States
18 Jun 08
That is a good point about separating the AL and NL. I hear a lot of talk shows where they think the leagues need to be evened out by finding one rule. I don't see why it is such a big deal. Both teams get an advantage at home during the World Series. NL teams don't carry a DH, and AL teams don't have hitting pitchers. I guess it all evens out in the end. I agree with you about Hank. That guy needs to shut up.
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
18 Jun 08
Only reason it's being made an issue is about Hank Steinbrenner yaking as usual. I think you have to be trained well to be able to run bases. It's just odd that it's happening this year with pitchers having injuries on NL fields. Injuries happen and it could have happened to anyone. I'm not sure what they could to even it out but I think it's fine the way it is.
1 person likes this
@buldwgz (1489)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I actually like the DH rule in MLB. I also like the pitcher hitting so I kinda like keeping the way it is. Most people don't realilize that the DH was proposed in the late 20s and early 30s with the National League approving it while the American League voted against it...guess they didn't want another bat in that Yankees lineup.
2 people like this
@belhaven14 (454)
• United States
18 Jun 08
I didn't realize that. I agree with you keeping pitchers hitting. It doesn't seem like baseball letting them just sit on the bench.
1 person likes this
@calcynic (433)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Growing up in Philly, I was a NL fan, living outside of Oakland, I'm now an AL fan, The DH took some getting used to, but I no longer hate it.
There are good things to be said about both methods, as well as criticisms.
I've sorta landed right in the middle...I feel lucky to be able to see both played by the best of the best.
Japan seems to feel the same way...one league plays DH and the other doesn't.
Viva la difference!
1 person likes this
@schneiderman (184)
• United States
23 Jun 08
They absolutely should get get the DH in the national league. Nobody wants to see the scrubby pitchers swing the bat. Its pretty much a free out. They spend so much money on these guys it can be devestating to a team if their pitcher gets hurt not pitching. Plus it will prolong the career of some great hitters who just cant play the field anymore.
@DerekIm43 (57)
•
6 Jul 08
First off I'm a yankee fan so I have to defend george steinbrenner. He's right the nl should have a dh like the al, i mean this is so unfair to the al, i mean the nl always plays w/o a dh so when al teams come into the ballpark there at a huge disadvantage and when nl teams come into al parks there at a huge advantage because they get to have a dh. I mean the nl pitchers practice hitting and running the bases all the time, but the al pitchers only practice during interleague play, who has the advantage there, of course it's the nl pitchers. Also about your typical yankees mentality jab, you can't tell me that the red sox would not say the same thing if curt shilling got hurt in the same manner that wang got hurt.
@belhaven14 (454)
• United States
6 Jul 08
I agree the NL has an advantage when playing at home in interleague play. I don't see how the NL has an advantage when playing at an AL park though. Several teams carry players specifically for playing DH. How many NL teams carry a David Ortiz type player? So when playing at home each side has an advantage. Also, I am in no way a Red Sox fan. However, I don't think their owners would come out and bash the NL and talk about how out of date it is just because one of their players got hurt. They might not be in favor of the rule. I don't think they would say the NL needs to "grow up" like Steinbrenner did. Really, who needs to grow up in that situation? I wouldn't say its the NL.
@skirvsatthird (35)
•
19 Jun 08
I play baseball currently at the high school level and we have the DH rule. And i personally like it i do pitch a little and i like hitting but when im pitching and then have to hit its tiring. And if im battting and happen to strikeout i get mad and then i go out and pitch it affects my pitching because im mad. I think the DH is good for baseball. And like whenever a pitcher comes up to hit or any hitter they hit a ground ball to someone they just jog to the bag and i mean hustle you may not beat it out but its worth a shot
1 person likes this
@belhaven14 (454)
• United States
19 Jun 08
You make a good point about the hustle. I really hate watching pitchers just job down to first. Sadly, I think they are taught that most of the time. Some managers just say don't get hurt. As far as the mental part, I like trying to keep that mental balance. It is a very large challenge. I play college ball and I am one of 3 people at our college in the last 8 or so years to play a position and pitch. Baseball is a very mental game which is one of my favorite parts about it. Clearing your head after an at bad or after giving up a home run is very difficult, but I don't think it is a reason to bring in a DH. I think in the Major Leagues that would be less of an issue too as there are very few pitchers which take pride in their hitting (I'm not sure why though).
1 person likes this
@cubshater2008 (307)
• Ecuador
12 Aug 08
I am absolutely fine with the DH rule. If anything, I think they should get rid of the DH in the American League before they add one in the National League. I think that it is sad that for the few games that a pitcher has to bat, he is that unathletic running-wise that he hurts himself. And of course its the Yankees. Maybe they shoudl just pay the commisioner a couple billion to change the rule. Better than spending it on Carl Pavano, Robinson Cano, and Melky Cabrera.
@Yazo0_0 (74)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I say keep the no DH rule in the NL because the AL is already messed up with the DH rule, i SAY IF YOU CHANGE THE RULES YOU ARE GOING TO DESTROY BASEBALL!
The incident that happened with Wang is an example of a baseball player who doesn't understand the fundamentals of baserunning.
Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam against the Mets that is an example of good baseball
@aville44 (125)
• United States
24 Aug 08
the game of baseball is a sport where you have 9 players. 9 hitters, and those 9 hitters also play in the field. its really as simple as that... is it not? in my mind... the national league is real baseball. you can compare the way the national league is now to the good ole days. The days of the bronx bombers. But the american league just isnt true baseball. You gotta really think deeply about this to see what i mean. In simple terms... the DH sucks. and i pray the NL will have nothing to do with it
