On this day in 1973 or 2 months before players reported to spring training, the American League adopted the “Designated Hitter” effective for the upcoming season.
In fact, one of the first DH’s was Tony Oliva, who could no longer play the outfield every day but swung the bat with authority: .291 with 16 HR & 92 RBI as a full time DH in 1973. Tony-O followed that with a .285 average in 1974.
The rule benefited starting pitchers because they were not removed from the game by a pinch-hitter. It gave pitchers more decisions and complete games!
For example, Mike Cuellar won 40 and completed 37 in the first two years of the DH.
His fellow Cuban Luis Tiant won 81 games and completed 85 in the first four years of the DH.
Nevertheless, the American and National leagues have played with different rules since 1973: the pitchers hit in the National but a hitter is designated to hit for the pitcher in the American.
In my opinion, it is insane because it changes the way that the game is played. Could you imagine the AFC and NFC playing with different offensive rules?
It’s time to settle the issue and go one way or another.
The DH is an integral part of winning the AL title, such as happened with Vlad Guerrero and Texas in 2010 or David Ortiz with Boston. It hurts the AL team when they have to adjust their lineup in NL parks in the World Series.
So let’s play by the same rules!
By the way, the aforementioned Luis Tiant of Boston was the first AL pitcher to face a DH or Ron Bloomberg of the Yankees on opening day 1973.
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