July 26, 2005
DHs Make History
Dan Johnson and Jason Dubois both played DH and batted ninth last night. That's the first time both DH's batted ninth in a game.
The point of the DH is to have a great offensive player in the lineup. If they're going to bat ninth, they can't be that great an offensive player. The pitcher can hit ninth. More DH's should be like David Ortiz; player's whose whole career is about hitting.
Posted by David Pinto at
05:18 PM
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From an Indians fan ... keep in mind that the Indians' regular DH is Travis Hafner, who may be heading to the DL soon. Otherwise, DuBois, though the Indians feel he has a good future, wouldn't be in the lineup.
But the point remains that often, the DH is just some 4th outfielder or a guy who would otherwise just be sitting on the bench on a National League team. Good true DHs are rare.
I kinda like the idea somebody had of allowing the DH but only letting him replace a position player--- then you could have a defensive wizard out there and not worry that he was hitting below the Mendoza line.
I think the DH is a travesty. Ballplayers should be ballplayers. Not hitters or fielders or pitchers but ballplayers. As great a hitter as Ortiz is, he'd never, ever get my vote for the All-Star team or a nod for Cooperstown. He's not a ballplayer, he's a hitter. Gotta flash some leather to be a ballplayer. Carrying a big stick just ain't enough to get it done.