That is one year since 1973. Pretty small sample size since the DH was installed. I get it you guys like the NL...enjoy yourself. Go Royals.
Do you REALLY think I cherry-picked one year? I gave you the one I could get to, quickest (the latest full season stat). Listen....go check the stats, since the DH rule came into effect. Come back with your findings. I'm anxious to see the true extent of this explosive offensive integration called the DH rule. **EDIT** For S's and Giggles, I cherry picked (out of the air) another years' stats, for comparison. I chose 2003. Funny thing is.....you'd have been better off resting on the 2009 numbers to support your argument for more offense. The 2003 numbers were even closer (by nearly 1/2 the above). Should I pick another? Or, will you just admit you're drinkin' the kool-aid?
I suggest you read All Bat, No Glove and it will tell you exactly why there is a DH. Whether you agree or not with the DH the American League owners wanted to add offense to add excitement to the game. Like I said before the AL has won 13 of the last 20 World Series and 13 straight All-Star games before this year. They obviously have something going for them. Sorry Jeff, I'm not going to go on this merry go round with you. You have your opinion as do I. You are a Red Sox fan so I'm not surprised.
If you read the book....why don't you save me a read? Does it contradict the stats I cited? You're REALLY gonna cite the last 20 years as proof (this sounds all too familiar, BTW) the AL is somehow doing something "superior"? I'd lend as much credence to a coin flip. When are you gonna get it? The DH rule favors the stats you cite. But, you can't tell me "why" that is? If you could, you'd understand why so many of us hate it. It's inherently unfair for the NL clubs....and my favorite team's in the AL!...lol I asked a question, last page - Why is the DH rule in place? You gave the answer I thought you would. Of course, that answer is bunk. But, people continue to regurgitate "what I heard someone say" and accept it as fact (also familiar). I give the player's union one thing. They've got plenty of people buyin' what they're sellin'.
I would suggest they had the biggest payrolls going for them, not the DH. I didn't look anything up and that is oof the top of my head but when I was apying attention to baseball the team payroll made the most difference in the team's world series chances, not the DH. There were small market teams that did win (Minnesota) but they had a superior farm system and guys that knew how to find talent and teach it, so once again the DH didn't matter. Mostly, IMO, the difference maker has been payroll.
I don't care what the numbers are. It's less painful watching a DH than a pitcher pretending he has a clue at the plate. Sit in the dugout and wait to do your job....(pitch). Let the hitters hit. The only thing you're proving is the NL might be a better hitting/offensive league if they would have a DH and not an automatic out in the lineup. The strategy in the NL in tough situations is how to get to the pitchers at bat for an easy out. Or if the pitcher comes up in a crucial situation where the team needs runs guess what they do? They pinch hit for him! If he belonged in the lineup as an offensive player why the need to pinch hit for him when runs are needed. In the AL you're not going to pitch around other people to get to the DH because he may be as or more dangerous to pitch to. It's really quite simple.
It's just about as painful to me to watch a juiced up DH get overly paid to take 4 at bats a game. Wonder why he is not on the field? I'm guessing because he couldn't field a ball over 60% of the time. What's the difference? Automatic out? Nah, it's called small ball. Bunting a guy over to scoring position. It's called managing. This is the exact reason why the NL won this years all-star game. Manuel out managed Girardi plain and simple. Who said the pitcher is supposed to be the elite hitter of the club? This is baseball. For god sakes, do you want a short fielder, a pitchers hand, or a courtesy runner for the pitcher too in the A.L. ? How many more breaks or crutches do you want? Play the game the way it was intended. The same logic could be used for over half of the best DH's in the leauge. Make them play the field and half of them wouldn't start on a N.L. team due to the lack of their defensive skills. Starting to wish the Yanks would have got Holliday instead of the Cards resigning him. He would fit the DH role perfectly.
You think it wasn't painful, for me, to watch Roger Clemens throw chin music and worse for years and years.......knowing he wouldn't be doing that, if he had to come to the plate? When's the last time Girardi had to worry about a double-switch? The DH rule changes your bullpen strategy. It makes the manager actually manage. Novel! But, just so you won't think this is a NL v. AL discussion (especially since my favorite team's in the AL)...... Did you know the NL proposed it, first (the DH rule)? I don't give a flying F WHO proposed it. It sucks ass.
Most definitely but....they usually do it for a reason like to protect their hitters, not just to try and intimidate batters and be a "pretend badass" like clemens. He was your classic bully, a real "badass" as long as he was sure there could be no retaliation and, even worse, he would sacrifice his hitters due to his selfishness. When he came to bat against the Mets you could see the raw fear in his face, unfortunately the Mets pitcher (forgot his name) was to afraid to just drill the **** out of him. You can bet if the had been Nolan Ryan then clemens, the chicken**** bully, would have been in some serious pain. clemens true colors sure showed through when he threw his wife under the bus just to protect himself. What a POS.
I love baseball. But I think the DH is kind of gay, although it does allow washed-up players still on steroids to postpone retirement. I know the AL has a better record, but has anyone considered that George Steinbrenner's money might have had something to do with that? Hmmmm
Absolutely, but they have the balls to step up in the 9 spot, (8 spot if you play for LaRussa) and get pitched to as well. Bruce pretty much nailed it.
Oh man here we go with the tough guy baseball talk. You better be careful or I'll throw my ball at you. pssssssssssst baseball is NOT hockey. Why not just forget when the pitcher is coming up or not coming up for "retaliation". You have a problem with someone go drop the gloves and have at it. Problem solved.
LOL Well, all you have to do is tell all the baseball players that you don't like the way they do things and I am sure they will change the way they have been playing the game for a 160+ years .
