And they SHOULD use it in NL parks in Inter-League play and SHOULD NOT use it in AL parks. Gives the fans a chance to see something different.

Using the DH in both leagues would go a long way to ending the AL's dominance in inter-league play. This is a bigger deal now that there is an inter-league series every day.

Creates more job opportunities.

 

The 25 man roster has been in place for years, with the DH and without the DH. AL teams don't roster an extra guy to fill the DH role, and most AL teams don't have an everyday DH, instead choosing to use it to give guys a day off in the field but keep their bats in the lineup. Are there a few guys that have extended their career because of the DH?? Without a doubt. But no extra jobs have been created....it just would have been a different type of player in that roster spot.

The 25 man roster has been in place for years, with the DH and without the DH. AL teams don't roster an extra guy to fill the DH role, and most AL teams don't have an everyday DH, instead choosing to use it to give guys a day off in the field but keep their bats in the lineup. Are there a few guys that have extended their career because of the DH?? Without a doubt. But no extra jobs have been created....it just would have been a different type of player in that roster spot.

 

Actually 9 of the 15 teams in the AL had a player that appeared in at least 81 games at DH. When you take into account that each team plays several games in NL parks that is a starter in over half of the available games. Sure, they use the spot to give other starters a break from the field but the fact is most AL teams carry 9-10 guys that are capable of being an every day offensive starter so that they put a full offensive lineup out there instead of someone like Skip Schumaker. That is why the AL has dominated interleague play.

Actually 9 of the 15 teams in the AL had a player that appeared in at least 81 games at DH. When you take into account that each team plays several games in NL parks that is a starter in over half of the available games. Sure, they use the spot to give other starters a break from the field but the fact is most AL teams carry 9-10 guys that are capable of being an every day offensive starter so that they put a full offensive lineup out there instead of someone like Skip Schumaker. That is why the AL has dominated interleague play.

 

Yes, AL lineups and rosters are built with a DH in mind, and are constructed differently than NL rosters. And they are more likely to carry the one dimensional guy who provides very little value in the field but can rake. That extra guy on an NL roster tends to be a guy who can play multiple positions defensively with the need for double switches. Again, the point was the DH isn't creating any jobs. It's just giving a different type of player a job that's already there.

Heard it boiled down this way, when it comes to interleague play...most AL teams have a professional hitter as their DH, while the NL goes with a 4th outfielder.

Yes, AL lineups and rosters are built with a DH in mind, and are constructed differently than NL rosters. And they are more likely to carry the one dimensional guy who provides very little value in the field but can rake. That extra guy on an NL roster tends to be a guy who can play multiple positions defensively with the need for double switches. Again, the point was the DH isn't creating any jobs. It's just giving a different type of player a job that's already there.

 

But those hitters that fill the DH roles in the AL are usually paid more than the utility type guys that fill the role in the NL. Often times significantly more.

But those hitters that fill the DH roles in the AL are usually paid more than the utility type guys that fill the role in the NL. Often times significantly more.

 

Yes. And probably deservedly so. Good hitters always get their money.

Is this another of those "purity of the game" arguments?

 

There is no valid reason to not have uniformity across the two leagues. If that means adding the DH to the NL, which I wholeheartedly support, fantastic. If it means taking away the DH in the AL, which will never happen, great. It needs to be the same.

 

While I've never been a fan of the DH, I'm traditional-old school, I agree with you that it will never be eliminated from the AL. Swamprat and AverageJoesGym makes good points, DH is used in Minor's and AL has had the advantage over NL in interleague play. I'd say we will probably see it in both leagues soon and even though I'm not a fan, I'll get over it the first time the Redlegs' DH parks a salami out of GABP.