Player’s View: Designated Hitter or no Designated Hitter?

The designated hitter rule has been in place in the American League since 1973. Some like it. Others would prefer that pitchers swing the bat. They do in the National League, and that’s part of the debate. Does it make sense for the league to play with different rules, or should there be uniformity?

I asked five pitchers, five position players, and five coaches/managers – many of whom have experience in both leagues – for their opinion of the DH rule. Here is what they had to say.

——

Steve Buechele, Rangers bench coach: “I think the DH is good for baseball. The pitcher hitting is the purest form of the game, but having a DH adds to the excitement. Some of the DHs out there are players people pay a lot to watch.

“We’ve done it for so long now, and I’m OK with that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing both leagues go with it at some point. It’s not a priority for me, but I’d like to see it be consistent.”

Clay Buchholz, Red Sox pitcher: “I think it will eventually happen in both leagues. A lot of money is paid for starting pitchers, and many of us aren’t comfortable hitting. Everybody is a competitor, so when you hit a ground ball, you want to run it out. Guys get injuries running the bases.

“I’d be in favor of having the DH in both leagues. It would make baseball better. I think there should be uniformity, but only if the DH was in both leagues.”

Tyler Clippard, A’s pitcher: “I’m OK with it. It’s been like this for awhile and I think it works. It gives guys another position to play, and maybe get another five years. If there was no DH, they may not be able to keep playing.

“The way the game is played in each league is different, and I like that. I think it’s good for the fans and the players. It gives you a different feel when you play inter-league games.”

Allen Craig, Red Sox outfielder: “Oh, man, that’s a tough question. I’ve played in both leagues, and I see the benefits of both. It’s hard to say, so put me down as neutral on this one.

“I’m OK with the way it is now. It’s been this way for a long time.”

Logan Forsythe, Rays infielder: “Depending on how you look at it, it could be good or bad. From a fan perspective, I think most people would rather have the DH. I like it both ways and don’t see it changing. I guess I’m neutral.

“I don’t think either league is affected by how it is now. There might be a little give and take, but I don’t think it puts either league at a disadvantage. It’s something they’re going to keep talking about, and I’m neutral on this one as well.”

Fredi Gonzalez, Braves manager: “I don’t like it. If we had to go one way or the other, I’d go with the National League game. I don’t think that’s going to happen, because of the union and that whole dynamic.

“I think we should play by one rule. If I had a vote, it would be the National League rule, but I don’t have a vote and I think I’d get outvoted anyway. I think it would end up being the DH in both leagues.”

Tim Hudson, Giants pitcher: “A pitcher that can handle the bat can be an advantage. Most of the advantage comes from the managers who know how to manage in the National League. I think Bochy is a prime example of somebody who is able to stay one step ahead of managers who aren’t used that kind of game. I feel like it’s a purer style of baseball. A monkey could manage an American League team. If you have a good team, put the lineup out there and take the pitcher out when he’s not getting outs.”

“I’m okay with the DH in one league. I definitely don’t think it should be in both leagues. If there is the same rule for both leagues, it should be the National League rule. It’s more of a baseball game.”

Tim Lincecum, Giants pitcher: “I like it the way it is. Real baseball. I like hitting, even if my batting average doesn’t show it. I know I’m not a great hitter, but it’s fun and I enjoy going up there. It keeps me in the game more.

“It kind of evens itself out in in inter-league play. (American League pitchers) go deeper into the games because they don’t have to worry about coming out because of the double switch. We get it easier because we get to face other pitchers.”

Mike Maddux, Rangers pitching coach: “I like the pitcher hitting. That’s pure baseball. The DH was a way to get more offense in the game. Every change they’ve made in this game has been to get more offense. Lowering the mound, adding the DH, trying to shrink the strike zone, new ballparks have no foul room. Being a traditionalist, I like all-around pitchers who can help themselves at the plate. I like the strategy of it.

“I think neither league should have a DH. It’s a better game without it.”

Bo Porter, Braves third base coach: “I like the National League style of play, where everyone has to hit. It’s a topic that’s always going to come up when pitchers get hurt hitting or running the bases, but more pitchers have gotten hurt pitching. You’re at risk any time you’re playing a competitive sport.

“If we were to go one way, I’d go the National League way. The pitcher is a part of the game, and double-switching is a part of the game – the strategic aspect that comes with the National League game. As for uniformity, that’s not for me to decide. That’s for the higher-ups to decide.”

Sean Rodriguez, Pirates infielder: “The pitcher is on the field, so he should hit. There’s your nine and our nine. That’s how it should be. I don’t think there should be a designated hitter. The name itself is weird. You’re just saying to one guy: ‘Grab a bat and go hit.’

“I get that a lot of people have made their careers on this, but I think it would be cool if there was one rule for both leagues. If there was, I would rather the pitcher hit. I know most guys don’t want it, because they want more offense.“

Mike Scioscia, Angels manager: “I grew up in the National League where we never had the DH and thought we didn’t need a DH. But as I’ve managed, I’ve warmed to the idea. It doesn’t just add the offense you get from another hitter in your lineup, it also gives you more little-ball opportunities with the bottom of your lineup. In the National League, it’s tough to move a runner up with the pitcher’s spot coming up. With regular hitters all the way through the lineup, you might move runners up with your eight-hitter and try to score a run with an out. In the National League, that strategy just doesn’t play.

“I would like it to be uniform, but I don’t think we’re ever going to get rid of the DH. It’s working with it different in the two leagues, but I would love for it to someday just be baseball, the same baseball in both leagues.”

Tim Stauffer, Twins pitcher: “I’m a little biased, as I played in the National League for a long time, and I like how there’s more strategy. You have to pay a little more attention to that spot in the order — the pitch count, bunting, pitching around certain guys. I like the old-school style of having the pitcher hit.

“I don’t think the leagues need to be the same. There’s a lot of inter-league play now, and I’m sure people on both sides don’t care for it being different. But I like that it’s different and you have to make some adjustments.”

Shane Victorino, Red Sox outfielder: “It is what it is. There are unfortunate situations. Adam Wainwright got hurt and was lost for the season. It could happen to anybody, but because it’s a pitcher and it’s Adam Wainwright – same thing with the Buster Posey catcher rule. People made a big thing of one situation. I obviously don’t ever want to see anyone get hurt, but the play at the plate changed so much, because one play was amplified. Him getting hurt sparked, ‘We have to change the game.’

“There’s been so much change in the game already. Do I want to see another change? Absolutely not. I think we should leave the game the way it is.”

Neil Walker, Pirates infielder: “An offensive player, you like to see as many hitters as you can in a lineup. At the same time, having the pitcher hit is tradition. I’m kind of caught in between. I think eventually there will probably be one rule, but because of the traditions of baseball, nobody wants to be a part of that type of change. I don’t think any player would be too upset to see the DH everywhere. Pitchers don’t particularly want to hit. In big situations, pitchers want to get it done just as much as we do, but 98% of them aren’t as able as other hitters. It changes the game.

“I guess having one rule would make more sense.”

——

Yes DH: Buechele, Buchholz, Clippard, Scioscia, Walker

No DH: Gonzalez, Hudson, Lincecum, Maddux, Porter, Rodriguez, Stauffer

Neutral: Craig, Forsythe, Victorino

Yes Uniformity: Buchele, Buchholz, Gonzalez, Maddux, Rodriguez, Scioscia, Walker

No Uniformity: Clippard, Craig, Hudson, Stauffer, Victorino

Neutral: Forsythe, Porter, Lincecum

——

Thanks to colleague Eno Sarris for procuring the responses from Hudson, Lincecum, Rodriquez and Walker.