Why do people hate the DH?

Question

I am tired of both sides complaing about it.

Sure they dont play the whole game. but that mean its not a real baseball game.

Answer 1

I really hate watching a lot of NL games.  Pitcher is virtually an automatic out and 8th hitter usually hits around .220.  That is why pitchers going from AL to NL do better.

Answer 2

I hate the DH.  Use of a DH dilutes many of the best parts of a national league game.  

1. Pitchers have no consequences for their actions.  

2. There is very little reason to use pinch hitters thru-out the game which gets rid of a lot of the strategy managers in the NL must use.  

3. The DH does not have to play defense.  This allows a player who really has no skills (except for the ability to remember which pill to take when) to stay in the game.  It gets rid of the decision of whether to play a poor defensive player in the hope his offense will outshine defensive mistakes.

Answer 3

It's akin to having a ringer; a one purpose only player is an unfair advantage. I like a pitcher who can hit, years ago the Pirates had a couple of pitcher who hit like their other players - one is playing the Champions golf tour now. That was baseball at it's best.

Answer 4

I am a huge fan of the DH and think that the NL adopt this rule asap. I say this because it protects pitchers from getting hurt in the sense that you can get hurt from running that 90 feet to first and I know this first hand, tore my hamstring running to 1st and that was just a freak injury. Also, the pitcher is almost a guaranteed out when he is up to bat and they are thrown out almost every time they hit the ball. Plus, it allows aging sluggers to stay in the game eventhough they may not be able to play in the field but still want to play the game.

Answer 5

It's not a real player.

It's not a real position.

Way over paid for a couple at bats and no ground balls or flyballs

It's not how the game is meant to be played.

You'll never get it if you don't already.

Answer 6

NL pitchers should be glad they dont have face a DH, cause its almost a guaranteed one or two strikeouts a game for them when they face the opposing pitcher.

you might say thats bull, but its true.

pitchers either bunt or strikeout, but you do have those rare specimens that can almost hit as well as they do pitch.

i like having the DH, and would conisder making the NL have one too before considering letting th AL drop the dh. its fun watching a guy who is making millions for swinging out of his *** every at bat.

Answer 7

I'm not a fan of the DH because I believe that having the pitcher hit brings a different element to the game of strategy that you can't find in the AL.

Now, what REALLY upsets me is this notion that both leagues have a fair chance in the World Series. That's GARBAGE and I can't believe that there aren't more articles about this out there. The NL is at a clear disadvantage. When games are played in an AL park, the use of the DH is in place. This allows the AL team to use their multi-million dollar player (i.e. Big Papi) to bat. The NL is forced to use a bench/utility player that makes usually around the league minimum or a little higher. The NL team is not going to sign a guy for millions to sit on their bench with the off chance that they might make it to the world series. And PLEASE do not try to tell me that the NL is at an advantage when the pitchers bat because the difference would be minimal if any.

To the person that tried to say that AL pitchers perform better in the NL, does Barry Zito ring a bell?

Also, could anyone that has stated that a pitcher is less likely to get injured please point us to an article showing a pitcher getting injured on the base path? They have just as much chance of tripping over their dog then they do getting hurt running around the bases.

Answer 8

it takes away from the natural idea of the game which is your best nine against our best nine, not ten. also, the DH alows players to completely stop using the glove and focus only on hitting. in a sense, theyre arent very good ball players if they only learn one side of the game. i feel if a player is good enough to be put on the field, then he should be worked with, and if that still fails then he should be used as a pinch hitter. i am an A's fan, but i like the national league style of baseball. there is more strategy .no matter what, neither side will give in. the NL will refuse the DH and the AL will keep the DH.

Answer 9

Because they want the Pitcher to Hit, Fans say the National League Gets it, and the American League Doesn't, I want both Leagues to get it.

Answer 10

I hate the DL. I think if you are on the mound & throwing at people, you should have to step in that box & take it if they want to "get even"

Answer 11

I like the DH rule. Like its not hard enough to have to throw 100+ pitches. Then be asked to bat. If the pitcher gets on he has to run and can lose a lot of his stamina. Causing him to come out earlier. The DH is a pitchers best friend and could be a future hall of famer... Go Edgar Martinez!

Answer 12

im kinda sick of AL managers complaining that their pitchers have bat in interleague play, omg pooor pitchers!!!  They make millions and are considered professional athletes and cant circle the bases without getting an injury... BOO HOO

Answer 13

I don't like the DH for these reasons:

1. It takes away strategy from the game.

2. Catchers suck at offense and you don't want them to get hurt. Should they have a second DH?

3. I like pitching duels.

4. You get clutch home runs from bench players and it makes for a classic.

Answer 14

I'll admit that the DH is a fluff position, but it can be a poison as much as a blessing. IE- Gary F**king Sheffield.