By now, we've all heard the talks about the proposed MLB realignment. In short, Major League Baseball is seriously considering moving one National League team over to the American League so that each League has fifteen teams. They would then do away with the divisions and just have two leagues. The MLB would also balance the schedule so that every team plays each other and equal amount of times. This would result in a significant increase in interleague games. With an increase in interleague games, it would only make sense for baseball to either adopt the DH across both Leagues or drop the designated hitter entirely.
Keep It
The designated hitter has been the staple of the American League since the early 1970s. It is the only fundamental difference between the two leagues and has made the game more exciting to many. The DH has allowed aging sluggers who struggle in the field the opportunity to continue their careers well into their thirties and forties. David Ortiz is a prime example. He has been one of the best hitters in baseball for many years now as a result of the DH. If the DH did not exist then Ortiz's career would have ended a long time ago because of his inability to defend at the first base position. The designated hitter is usually an American League team's best and most feared hitter. It takes away from the pitcher having to hit which makes it a lot tougher for American League pitchers to navigate their way through the lineup. The DH is very popular among baseball fans, especially fans of American League teams, and I don't think the MLB will get rid of it.
Toss It
On the other hand, if the MLB decides to make the DH uniform across baseball it's going pose some problems for National League clubs. You see, teams in the N.L. are not equipped for the DH and face a major disadvantage when they have to use it. The Mets for instance have been using Scott Hairston as their DH during interleague play this year. Hairston is known as a utility player who can play multiple positions on the diamond and fill in from time to time when guys need a day off. He is in no way an ideal DH, and that's the problem.
While the Mets and other N.L. teams are using players like Hairston, teams like the Red Sox and White Sox have stars like David Ortiz and Adam Dunn. The removal of the DH would make the most sense to me considering there are only a handful of pitchers in baseball that can actually hit so it would not serve as a disadvantage to American League teams. The removal of the DH would only serve a disadvantage to those American League players who are only in the MLB because of their hitting abilities. Personally, I am a Yankees fan, but I enjoy watching National League baseball. N.L. baseball involves a lot more strategy and complete team utilization which, in my opinion, is the way the game was made to be played and should be played. I'm sorry, but if you can't play the field then you shouldn't play baseball.
My Verdict
All this pro-National League talk is for not though. I truly believe the MLB will adopt the designated hitter as a uniform rule throughout both Leagues. There are way too many stars at the DH position and not enough baseball purists left to make the case in favor of removing the designated hitter.
Matthew Anello - I am currently a summer intern at NBC Sports & Olympics and Senior Writer at ChatSports.com for the New York Knicks. I live in Middle ...
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