Sorry baseball traditionalists, but it’s time for the NL to adopt the designated hitter

While it might make traditionalists cranky, is it time for the National League to adopt the designated hitter?

For decades, the designated hitter has bailed out pitchers in the American league from having to be one-and-a-half-way players. In fact, the position — while chaffing traditionalists who want the game played exactly as it was 100 years ago — has made Hall of Fame careers out of guys who otherwise might not have experienced such success (looking at you, Edgar Ramirez).

It’s a one league program, though. The National League still uses pitchers as hitters, rather than replacing them with a bat and potentially saving them from injury. It’s a conversation that isn’t new, but one that we should revisit: Should the NL adopt the DH?

The short answer Yes. 

Since 1973, baseball has been the only professional North American sport in which different leagues operate under different rules, with the AL electing to adopt the designated hitter.

Since it’s introduction, the American League has out-performed the National League offensively every single year (Except for 1976, when they tied in OPS without any logical explanation). So why hasn’t the NL switched over?

Simply put, it hasn’t been a big enough issue for MLB to vote on it. In fact, The National League has not voted on the DH in 38 years. The last time they did, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back had not even premiered in theatres yet.

Unfortunately, players like Adam Wainwright, Masahiro Tanaka, and Jacob DeGrom have been some of the more recent victims of injury while hitting and running the bases. As such, they have been made examples of why the NL should finally adopt this age-old rule.

However, baseball traditionalists have continued to sweep the issue under the rug. Thankfully though, Rob Manfred has recently been an advocate for the DH and has simultaneously sparked what could finally be the diolauge of a universal designated hitter. Of the rule, the commissioner said it “is a continuing source of conversation among the ownership group” when asked about the issue yesterday.

As a lifelong fan of the American League, I would absolutely love to see the NL adopt the rule. The DH has given players like David Ortiz and Edgar Martinez many more home runs in those old but still hall-of-fame caliber bats. In the National League, power hitters such as Jason Werth or Chase Utley could go on to have massive years at the plate. And in the long run, eventually, guys like Bryce Harper and Nolan Arenado could have a chance at 756.

Now don’t get me wrong baseball fans, I love a good Madison Bumgarner home run when I see it.

Next: Ranking The Best Hitter All-Time From Every MLB Franchise

But in this case, pitcher home runs are a small thing to sacrifice. Not only prevent pitchers from injury but to watch NL hitters continue to mash for a long, long time.