When the "designated hitter" idea was instituted about 40 years ago, it was supposed to be an "experiment". We
purists know it isn't
real baseball. The players' union likes it because it gives long-in-the-tooth players a chance to extend their careers a few years. The idea is that a player who has good OFFENSIVE numbers (but whose legs are failing) can bat in place of the team's pitcher.
Take a look around the American League tonight -- 5-14-2010. Here are the DHs that are playing tonight. Cleveland: Travis Haffner, Avg = .235. Baltimore: Luke Scott, avg = .227. Minneapolis: Jason Kubel, avg. = .224. Toronto: Adam Lind, avg .223. Seattle: Mike Sweeny, avg = .220. Boston: David Ortiz, avg. .213. It gets worse. St. Pete: Pat Burrell, avg. .205. Bronx Yankees: Juan Miranda, avg .000 (he hasn't had a hit this year!
Many of these teams have PITCHERS who bat better than this! !
DUMP THE D.H. IN 2011! ! ! Edit -- While I was writing this, Juan Miranda got a hit in the 8th inning in the Bronx. His batting average rose to .143.
Edit #2: Before the night was over, David Ortiz would hit a homer of 450 feet, and another of 394 feet. Is it worth keeping him around to do this once every 50 or 60 days? I think not (RedSox fan). Let him save face, and give him a job as a coach in the minor leagues.
Edit #3: Today, 5-15-2010, the news is that Pat Burrell has been "designated for assignment", which, I think, means "fired."
Jesus paid the price for me and everybody.