The Cardinals General Manager claims there is momentum building in the National League to adopt the designated hitter:
“I do feel like there were times I could look all of you in the face and say it’s a non-starter, it’s not being discussed at the owner level or GM,” Mozeliak said Saturday during an expansive discussion with the media at the team’s 20th annual fanfest. “But over the past year it has. I’m not suggesting you’re going to see a change but I definitely think the momentum (has changed).”
Mozeliak’s comments echoes similar ones made this past spring by Major League Baseball Players’ Association chief Tony Clark, who said he has heard more discussion about the DH spreading to the NL than in years past.
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Mozeliak said moving the DH into the NL by the start of 2017 “would seem to me a little fast.” There have been discussions of slowly introducing the DH to the National League by having it for interleague games played at NL ballparks.
Just take a puff, it won’t hurt you! Part of this comes from the blurring of league lines over the last 25 years. Bud Selig moved the administration of the leagues from separate offices to the commissioner. No more separate umpires, no more separate discipline. Interleague play and realignment also blurred the lines. Let’s face, the NL uses designated hitters regularly in away interleague games. I suspect the GMs see something in those games they like, so they are becoming open to the idea.
It’s also a good trading chip in the upcoming CBA negotiations. An NL DH would create 15 new high-paying jobs. The owners have plenty of money to pay for that, so they could get something they really want with the chip.
Keep puffing.
I always thought the NL resisted the DH because it would add to payroll. Them being interested has me suspicious.
While it would create 15 more jobs for aging hitters who have made a pile of money already, it would also take away 15 jobs from younger players or defensive specialists who have not made as much money, and the latter probably need the jobs more.
Also, with many teams strictly adhering to a budget, would it be more like robbing Peter to Pay Paul? I used to tell employees the pie is only so big, I can slice it bigger or smaller, thats all I can do. The bigger slice may be offset by a smaller slice elsewhere.
In the best interest of the game, there would be a DH for all. SP’ers are paid way too much to risk losing them doing something they have not been trained to do well. Also, fans want more runs, and even those who don’t, having your favorite pitcher who is doing well removed from a game early for a PH’er has to be a bummer
So I don’t really think this is a matter the MLBPA should give up anything for. NL should do it out of self interest
Speaking without any reference to history, vested-interests, politics, etc.: As a fan, I really hate it when I’m watching a NL game and the bases are loaded in the 3rd inning and the pitcher is up to bat. The offense has been working at-bats, working the bases loaded and all for naught. I assume that many decades back, before the game (like everything else) became so specialized pitchers could hit better. But these days, aside from a few notable pitchers it’s an automatic out. I get the double switch and the strategy, but I want to see a professional hitter up in that spot.
Jim: The pitcher isn’t the only crappy hitter that can wind up with ducks on the pond in the 3rd. Making the most of what you have is part of sports. Have him lay down the bunt or get the runners going and smack a hard ground ball.
PFT: I tend to agree about it not being in the players’ best interest to accept the DL as a bargaining chip. It seems more to me like the owners would like them to.
Finally, we already have it both ways, people! Purist, 9 man ball where a pitcher needs chops at the plate, and specialization-enabled simplicity in the AL. PLEEZ don’t screw with this.