Unilateral NL DH by 2021?

[MurphDogg]

44 minutes ago, OsEatAlEast said:

Not really dumb by the premise that he most likely would have had a shorter career if not for the DH.

I would require evidence that shows that first basemen have shorter careers and get injured more regularly than DHs. It certainly isn't definitively so.

[HowAboutThat]

34 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Bro, you're not going to knock me off by calling it a "straw man" argument.  Everyone who's ever said "OMG STRAW MAN!" at someone just automatically expects the other side to just kowtow.  And that ain't happening here, hombre.

Yes, two situations are remotely comparable.  It would be two conferences/divisions in same sport, playing the same sport with two separate sets of rules, which, correct me if I'm wrong, is what happens between the AL and NL.  Just because when you plant your ass in one stadium doesn't mean you should have to watch a slightly different strategy than you would had you planted your ass in another stadium.  

Would the NFC benefit from not having field goal kickers while the AFC had to kick the PAT?  Probably.  The NFC would still have to employ a kicker of some sort for kickoffs and regular field goals.  The NFC would probably have higher scoring games but the better kickers would most likely be in the AFC because now PATs aren't chip shots anymore.  So it does create a different strategy because roster setups would be different.  You would have teams in the NFC possibly trying to get one guy who could punt/kickoff/PAT in an effort to open up another roster spot for a linebacker, safety, guard, etc.  

No, it is a strawman, because what you’re suggesting with your football scenario is not remotely comparable to baseball’s use or not use of the designated hitter(However, I completely understand your ire that many people use a strawman argument as a knee-jerk response when they don’t have anything else with which to counter. Fortunately that is not true in this case.)

 A more appropriate comparison, if you insist on using the football analogy, would be the difference between Canadian and American rules, but that is also a poor example because rules are so different.

The nature of baseball is such that using or not using the designated hitter has absolutely no Effect on anything except strategy, and that strategy is much more intricate when you do not have the designated hitter.

The American League will tend to have more offense, but more offense does not necessarily make for a more interesting or exciting game.

Almost every major Manfred decision has been to the detriment of the game. I am not necessarily a traditionalist, but I do look askance on changes that do not bring benefits, and I do not think that this one does.

[Moose Milligan]

1 minute ago, Philip said:

No, it is a strawman, because what you’re suggesting with your football scenario is not remotely comparable to baseball’s use or not use of the designated hitter(However, I completely understand your ire that many people use a strawman argument as a knee-jerk response when they don’t have anything else with which to counter. Fortunately that is not true in this case.)

 A more appropriate comparison, if you insist on using the football analogy, would be the difference between Canadian and American rules, but that is also a poor example because rules are so different.

The nature of baseball is such that using or not using the designated hitter has absolutely no Effect on anything except strategy, and that strategy is much more intricate when you do not have the designated hitter.

The American League will tend to have more offense, but more offense does not necessarily make for a more interesting or exciting game.

Almost every major Manfred decision has been to the detriment of the game. I am not necessarily a traditionalist, but I do look askance on changes that do not bring benefits, and I do not think that this one does.

How's it not remotely comparable?  Do you even watch football?  

[weams]

Like it or not here it comes. Maybe those 800 fans can stage a fourth inning walkout to express their outrage. 

[Morgan423]

4 hours ago, esmd said:

I don't see why a manager could choose to NOT have a DH if a pitcher is a good hitter.  Doubt any of them will, but I think technically you could allow your pitcher to hit in the AL, correct.  Doesn't Shohei Otani hit?

Not on days he pitches.  If you elect to start the game without a DH, you forfeit it for the entire game.  

[ArtVanDelay]

The CBA doesn't expire until December 2021 so we won't see DH in the NL until at least 2022.

[TommyPickles]

Meh. I think the AL's rules are better and more sensible than the NL's.  I also kind of enjoy watching the inter league away games and seeing what happens.  I guess I don't really have a strong preference on this one, as long as the AL rules aren't being changed. 

[VaBird1]

7 hours ago, weams said:

 

That’s too bad.  The real question is does that mean no AL/NL?

[VaBird1]

5 hours ago, jamalshw said:

Baseball still has much more variety than any other sport. No other sport has varying distances in its field of play. That in itself provides some variety.

I'm onboard with a universal DH, but I wonder if it opens the door for more playing time for no-hit SS or C types. I also wonder if/when a team will use the DH to replace said light hitting defensive whiz rather than the pitcher (when, say, Ohtani or Bumgarner are on the mound).

The universal DH could also open the door to more two-way players. While you don't have pitchers hitting as frequently. You have more opportunities to use a pitcher at the plate without the threat of using him in the field, too.

In MLB the DH has to be used for a pitcher.  

[VaBird1]

1 hour ago, weams said:

Like it or not here it comes. Maybe those 800 fans can stage a fourth inning walkout to express their outrage. 

Oriole Park would be empty 

[Can_of_corn]

5 minutes ago, VaBird1 said:

Oriole Park would be empty 

Wouldn't be the first time.

[OriolesMagic83]

1 hour ago, Morgan423 said:

Not on days he pitches.  If you elect to start the game without a DH, you forfeit it for the entire game.  

Maybe the O's could DH for Davis.

[backwardsk]

When are teams going to be allowed to use courtesy runners?  I don’t pay good money to watch Matt Wieters try to run around the bases.

[Enjoy Terror]

It would be more akin to the NFL if in the NFC the quarterback had to be the player to kick the PAT but the AFC allows the place kicker to do it.

[atomic]

9 hours ago, interloper said:

Every team should play by the same set of rules! That's sports! 

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. 

I agree. Eliminate DH in American League and the minor leagues.