I just finished Mike Carminati's post on the DH. I'm glad he brought in Bill James Historical Abstract Article. I've tried to explain that article to anti-DH people over the years, and they just don't get it. They really think that managers do have choices in situations where you have to bunt with or pinch-hit for the pitcher.

Having the pitcher bat doesn't increase strategy, it increases the amount of work a manager has to do. Managers have to manage their benches more carefully in the NL, but that's not really strategy. It's work. And if that's what you want to see more of, that's fine.

Personally, I'm pretty agnostic on the subject. I wouldn't mind seeing both leagues have the same rule, but I really don't care which way it goes. I've had fun watching pitchers bat. I was at Three Rivers Stadium for the last series between the Pirates and the Giants there. Barry Bonds hit his last HR in one game, setting a record for most HR at Three Rivers. In the second game I saw, Rueter was pitching for the Giants. In his first two AB, he had a double and a single and two RBI. When he came up for the third time, I stood up and yelled at the top of my lungs, "Walk him!" Given that there were about 5000 people in the stands, I'm sure I was heard. Sure enough, Rueter drops in a double for two more RBI. I get up again and yell, "I told you you should have walked him!" which drew a laugh from the fans in our section. You just can't get that with the DH unless you have Rey Ordonez on your team. :-)

So if the AL wants to get rid of it, fine. If the NL wants to adopt it, fine. If there's no change, well, I can live with that, too. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the hitting of Edgar Martinez and Greg Maddux. :-)