DH in the NL

[daske17]

This was a topic that was broached in the "yanks getting old in a hurry" thread and I thought deserved a little discussion.

 

It's true that the AL is where baseball gets the most attention (not only because of the Yanks/Red Sox) nowadays. It's also of note that 7 of the last 10 and 13 of the last 20 World Series have been won by AL teams.

 

Certainly a lot of that, especially more recently, has to do with the DH. American League offenses are stacked because of that inclusion, and NL teams have to worry about their 7-8-9 batters when entering AL parks. While good pitching beats good hitting, it can't be overlooked.

 

The question I pose is not whether the NL should enact the DH, but rather would it be feasible? Are there enough DHs to go around in two leagues and how would it affect players who are mainly kept for their NL-style of play (i.e. smallball, moving the runner over, etc.)?

[minnesotacubsfan]

I hate the idea of the DH, but the simple fact is that it helps teams win games. period. I have no idea why NL teams tend to float by the rule that you have SB guys (CF, 2nd), HR guys(1st, 3rd, corner outfield), and defensive guys (ss, catcher). I am over generalizing, of course, but it seems to me the DH allows the thought "hey, maybe ALL my position guys can hit and hit weel and maybe even for power".

 

I thik you could find a case for a few aging veterns who can play the field but can still hit well, namely Alou, Bonds, (man, SF is full of em) and for a part of 2006, Nevin.

[CubinNY]

Mods please dismemeber and burn this thread.

 

I hate the DH. It's not baseball, it's basebally.

 

There are more than enoug crappy fielders who can hit to go around.

Edited June 2, 2006 by CubinNY

[minnesotacubsfan]

Mods please dismemeber and burn this thread.

 

I hate the DH. It's not baseball, it's basebally.

 

lol

[badgercub]

This was a topic that was broached in the "yanks getting old in a hurry" thread and I thought deserved a little discussion.

 

It's true that the AL is where baseball gets the most attention (not only because of the Yanks/Red Sox) nowadays. It's also of note that 7 of the last 10 and 13 of the last 20 World Series have been won by AL teams.

 

Certainly a lot of that, especially more recently, has to do with the DH. American League offenses are stacked because of that inclusion, and NL teams have to worry about their 7-8-9 batters when entering AL parks. While good pitching beats good hitting, it can't be overlooked.

 

The question I pose is not whether the NL should enact the DH, but rather would it be feasible? Are there enough DHs to go around in two leagues and how would it affect players who are mainly kept for their NL-style of play (i.e. smallball, moving the runner over, etc.)?

 

If the DH was instituted in both leagues I would definitely watch a lot less baseball. As to your question as to whether there would be enough guys to DH probably not, but they would be spread out among both leagues you might see some players be able to extend their careers. It would be similar to the fact that there really isn't enough pitching to go around either.

[TheDude]

The better solution is to remove the DH from the AL and baseball altogether.

[Big Fergie J]

I live in an AL/DH city and I've never been a fan of it. Even when I lived in NYC I preferred going to Shea vs. Yankee Stadium ( for other reasons as well ). I like the strategy/speed of the NL games.

 

On a side note, I hate it when announcers always say, "Edgar Martinez, best DH of all time". Puhlezeee, even if its true I really don't care anymore.

[minnesotacubsfan]

The better solution is to remove the DH from the AL and baseball altogether.

 

put that on the "That'll Never Happen" list.

 

I am more interested in how the DH influences a batting line-up. why is it NL GM's seem to insist on athe old 1 hitter, 2 hitter, 3,4,5 hitters and 6,7,8 forgetabout thems, and then the pitcher???

[Big Fergie J]

The better solution is to remove the DH from the AL and baseball altogether.

 

I'll accept it if MLB just got rid of inter-league play altogether.

[daske17]

Mods please dismemeber and burn this thread.

 

I hate the DH. It's not baseball, it's basebally.

 

There are more than enoug crappy fielders who can hit to go around.

 

Yikes. Maybe I should have put the disclaimer on this thread "Nobody likes the DH, but I'm tired of all the Cubs are teh suck threads and want to talk more abstract baseball."

 

Of course, that would have significantly lengthened the thread title.

[minnesotacubsfan]

The better solution is to remove the DH from the AL and baseball altogether.

 

I'll accept it if MLB just got rid of inter-league play altogether.

 

amen

 

 

still wont solve the World Series issue and (for what its worth) All Star Game

[YearofDaCubs]

I for one love inter-league play.

[Proven Veteran]

I don't care about double switches or sacrifice bunts. Bring on the DH.

[erik316wttn]

Baseball will never be rid of the DH in our lifetimes. The Players Union would never, ever go for it. If anything, if we were to see a hard cap in our lifetimes, the owners would probably have to give the DH in the NL as a sacrifice. And the Union wouldn't want those aging sluggers who can maybe get one last paycheck in the AL as a DH to lose that money.

 

I'm not saying I like the DH. I don't. It just won't ever go away.

 

Keep interleague play, though. It needs to be adjusted, sure, but I think it's good for the game.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Baseball will never be rid of the DH in our lifetimes. The Players Union would never, ever go for it. If anything, if we were to see a hard cap in our lifetimes, the owners would probably have to give the DH in the NL as a sacrifice. And the Union wouldn't want those aging sluggers who can maybe get one last paycheck in the AL as a DH to lose that money.

 

I'm not saying I like the DH. I don't. It just won't ever go away.

 

Keep interleague play, though. It needs to be adjusted, sure, but I think it's good for the game.

 

I dont know about the players union, but I absolutely hate interleague play

 

 

and I agree with PV, bring on the DH. cant beat em, join em

 

edit: because i dont know the english lang.

[CubinNY]

The DH does not make AL teams inherently better. It makes them different. The DH Acutally penalizes AL teams in two ways 1) It makes the bench shorter (i.e, less bench players) and 2) Pitcher's don't hit until the World Series.

 

If the AL seems to be a stronger league it's b/c the better teams with the better players are in the AL. During much of the 1970s and 1980s the NL dominated the AL in the all-star game and I think lead in WS victories.

 

With the rise of the Yankees in the 90s the ballance of power switched.

[AR-Baseball-Fan]

No DH anywhere, no interleague play.

[minnesotacubsfan]

The DH does not make AL teams inherently better. It makes them different. The DH Acutally penalizes AL teams in two ways 1) It makes the bench shorter (i.e, less bench players) and 2) Pitcher's don't hit until the World Series.

 

If the AL seems to be a stronger league it's b/c the better teams with the better players are in the AL. During much of the 1970s and 1980s the NL dominated the AL in the all-star game and I think lead in WS victories.

 

With the rise of the Yankees in the 90s the ballance of power switched.

 

I THINK THE dh FREES UP GM'S AND MANAGERS TO THINK ABOUT THEIR LINEUPS AND POS PLAYERS AS HITTERS FIRST

[CubinNY]

The DH does not make AL teams inherently better. It makes them different. The DH Acutally penalizes AL teams in two ways 1) It makes the bench shorter (i.e, less bench players) and 2) Pitcher's don't hit until the World Series.

 

If the AL seems to be a stronger league it's b/c the better teams with the better players are in the AL. During much of the 1970s and 1980s the NL dominated the AL in the all-star game and I think lead in WS victories.

 

With the rise of the Yankees in the 90s the ballance of power switched.

 

I THINK THE dh FREES UP GM'S AND MANAGERS TO THINK ABOUT THEIR LINEUPS AND POS PLAYERS AS HITTERS FIRST

 

How so? They still play defense in the AL don't they?

[srbin84]

There will always be plenty of guys who can hit well but can't find a position.

[cubfan1955]

I'd hate to see the DH in the NL right now. We'd lose some of our better bats if our pitchers didn't hit.

[minnesotacubsfan]

The DH does not make AL teams inherently better. It makes them different. The DH Acutally penalizes AL teams in two ways 1) It makes the bench shorter (i.e, less bench players) and 2) Pitcher's don't hit until the World Series.

 

If the AL seems to be a stronger league it's b/c the better teams with the better players are in the AL. During much of the 1970s and 1980s the NL dominated the AL in the all-star game and I think lead in WS victories.

 

With the rise of the Yankees in the 90s the ballance of power switched.

 

I THINK THE dh FREES UP GM'S AND MANAGERS TO THINK ABOUT THEIR LINEUPS AND POS PLAYERS AS HITTERS FIRST

 

How so? They still play defense in the AL don't they?

 

they do, but not as well...

 

actually, I am making a broad assumption, I know. but it certainly seems that way.

[Fro]

You can blame the disparity of WS wins on the Yankees, pretty much.

[badgercub]

The DH does not make AL teams inherently better. It makes them different. The DH Acutally penalizes AL teams in two ways 1) It makes the bench shorter (i.e, less bench players) and 2) Pitcher's don't hit until the World Series.

 

If the AL seems to be a stronger league it's b/c the better teams with the better players are in the AL. During much of the 1970s and 1980s the NL dominated the AL in the all-star game and I think lead in WS victories.

 

With the rise of the Yankees in the 90s the ballance of power switched.

 

That does not penalize them. They may have a shorter bench, but they also don't have to burn up the bench using pinch hitters to pinch hit for the pitcher, which in my opinion makes the bench less important than in the NL and actually deeper.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'd hate to see the DH in the NL right now. We'd lose some of our better bats if our pitchers didn't hit.

:lol: