Why DH Proponents Hate My Unborn Child
By Howard Megdal ~ December 16th, 2009. Filed under: Howard Megdal.
I was all set to write up the Jose Reyes interview from this afternoon- short version, Jose was terrific- but then Mike’s piece calling for the National League to adopt the Designated Hitter appeared, and my plans changed.
I’ve found that this argument often degenerates into such emotional terms, and I want to stick to the facts here. So let me be clear- I am mystified why Mike Silva, whom I consider a friend, wants to irretrievably harm the future baseball-watching of my unborn daughter.
Everything the Designated Hitter does makes the game less enjoyable. The DH eliminates much of the strategy of baseball- not merely the question of pinch-hitting, but also double switches, even how aggressively to seek out a run as the batting order moves toward ninth (or for Tony La Russa, eighth).
The DH also promotes a game with additional offense, which leads to higher-scoring affairs- thus devaluing every run- and gives us a group of stars that, simply put, aren’t complete baseball players.
While pitchers who don’t hit well are often cited in arguments for the DH, the joy of watching a player who can pitch at an elite level also bat that way- like Mike Hampton, Micah Owings or Brooks Kieschnick- cannot be ignored. Plenty of pitchers can bunt as well, another enjoyable exercise. Not only is the tension in moving runners over palpable, but the play often brings about both interesting infield strategies and the game’s greatest defensive highlights.
For all the grumbling about the length of games, the NL and AL are about even in time of game each year. And for pitchers who get hurt while hitting or running the bases- sure. They’re playing baseball.
Mike also points out that the overwhelming majority of other leagues play with the DH- and he’s correct. It is easier for a team to do so. That doesn’t make it right. And his comparison to batting helmets and catching gear, which made the game itself, though unchanged, safer, doesn’t bear close scrutiny. Indisputably, pitchers are far likelier to hurt themselves pitching than hitting.
But let Mike make his best arguments. I am simply serving notice that if his side prevails in the great DH debate, I will send my daughter, as soon as she is old enough, over to his house. Let him look her in the eye and answer a simple question: “Mr. Silva, why did you ruin baseball for me?”
December 16th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Howard, I agree with you, and there’s no need for me to rehearse all the reasons why you’re right.
I do think, though, the institution of the DH is of a piece with some other changes in baseball, namely the way fans relate to the game. The DH provides more offense to the game, and that’s pretty popular with today’s fans. The number of baseball fans — even, or maybe especially, those who attend games — who love the low-scoring pitchers’ duels and brisk, clean baseball are probably a lower percentage of the overall fan base than has ever before been the case.
MLB now markets the game either to families or to a generation that has grown up on Ritalin and video games. In either case, the low-key, cerebral, stop-and-start qualities that really help to make the game what it is are no longer the things that MLB is interested in marketing to fans. When I go to games now, I’m struck by how little attention a large proportion of fans are paying to what’s actually going on on the field. By the seventh inning, the experience for a lot of the fans is more about beach balls, the wave, blaring music, and video displays imploring fans to guess which avatar is going to win the intergalactic speed race than it is about the game.
I just think that there’s not a lot of money to be made with third-inning bunts, difficult strategic decisions about whether to pinch-hit for your pitcher, and low-scoring games. Baseball “purists” like me — and, I suspect, you — are a diminishing breed, at least as a percentage of the overall fan base.
December 17th, 2009 at 5:59 am
“Everything the Designated Hitter does makes the game less enjoyable”
Your missive lost me when you wrote the above since it showed you not willing to consider anything but the total elimination of the DH.
Good luck getting that passed in the next CBA. Enjoy the classic games on MLB network while you get your wish even though it triggers a strike/lockout.
I usually like your writing but here you come off like an infant who won’t eat a certain food regardless of its benefits
December 18th, 2009 at 12:04 am
This is a fair criticism. My refusal to drink baby formula dates back to my early teens.