I personally like the two leagues being different.

He picked the worst pitcher to make a point of entertainment. Watching Barotolo hit is one of the most fun thing to watch lol.

Mad Bum is right. Guarantee guys like CC wouldn't be mouthing off if they had to worry about getting drilled.

you should have to play both sides of the field in baseball

Ripken's argument makes no sense... NL should have the DH because what if an AL team visits an NL park fighting for a playoff spot? Well, there's thing called the WORLD SERIES (some pretty big games, ya know) that have been playing by the home team's rules ever since the DH was in the AL.

Wait until the DHR (designated hitter robot) rule takes effect.

The NL certainly has more strategy involved, and as a baseball fan I love it.

I grew up a Reds fan- we have a history of pitchers who were decent with a bat.

Since there are so many people who both love and hate the concept of the DH it's best to have one league have the rule and the other not

With the pitcher coming up you force the manager to adjust his strategy. Like your arm can be amazing that day.. but in the end your team has to score more runs than your opponent does.

Pitchers are ball players too

Different rules regarding the DH can affect competitive balance. An AL team can offer a free agent like Bryce Harper more years than an NL team with the expectation that he’ll DH bear the end.

That's the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard. Why don't we have nine guys field and nine different guys bat for them. Injuries are apart of the game. No matter what you do players will always get injured.

As a newer fan, (my dad is a die hard Giants fan and ever since I went to college I became friends with a bunch of big baseball fans, so I’ve started getting into it and this is my fourth year now as an active Giants fan) I love watching pitchers have to hit. I’d rather see a pitcher get a single then some slugger take one deep. Watching pitchers hit not only is just very intuitive to a casual fan, but it create unique and exciting moments to cherish. I know it’ll eventually happen but I’ll be greatly disheartened the day the NL has a DH.

How is Bartolo Colon swinging the bat not entertaining?

I like that there is the DH in one league and no DH in the other league. It makes people like David Ortiz have a better position and allows pitchers who want to hit be able to.

What I'd like to see is the DH be an option for a pitcher. If the pitcher likes hitting, even if he's bad at it, he should be able to bat for himself. The reason they need the DH isn't that pitchers can't hit, but because teams need to allow flexibility and allow players to get at bats while giving them a rest. I don't really like players being able to completely sit out all year and just hit. I do like the idea of a guy like Christian Yelich being able to keep his hitting streak alive by taking his day of rest by being a designated hitter a couple days out of his streak. What do you think?

i always liked that the NL was kind of small ball, and the AL was about power...they should not only keep it how it is...but EMBRACE it...its cool that the NL and AL are so different!! Think of NFL ...AFC vs NFC...they were different when it was AFL vs NFL but now...? Exact same thing...NBA, East vs West...?? No difference

Maybe the question should be, should the AL abandon the DH like the old days!!

I guess the best position player hitters shouldn't have to play the field then, because they could get injured on the field?

Being a Tampa Bay Rays fan, I obviously like the DH. That being said I actually like the fact that the two leagues have different rules. My problem is why do we have the two leagues playing each other during the regular season? In my opinion AL teams should play AL teams and NL teams should play NL teams. THAT'S IT! The only exception to that would be if two teams are in the same state for example Miami Marlins Vs Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers Vs Los Angeles Angels , New York Yankees Vs New York Mets ect. Other than that the only time the NL team faces an AL team is in the World Series. That would make the All-Star game that much more important because which ever league wins would get that "Home Field Advantage" along with having the DH rule working for or against the two clubs.

Everything about this aged well except “we don’t need to see bartolo hit”

I agree with mr. Ripken., another thing is that pitchers batting can get hurt and if there is a DH in the NL the pitchers can focus on pitching like in the AL and if there is any good hitter and can´t play defense because of the age or any hurt that player can be DH and the team can have the bat of the player, in the other hand the pitcher batting makes the manager to have more strategies at the moment of getting a PH. I am undecided I would like everything stays like it is because it makes basseball special.

Speaking out of both sides of their mouth. You can't at the same time claim that the AL is losing its best players when playing in NL parks, and also claim that DHs won't make a lot of money because it is just a way to let every day players get a break from playing the field. It is either one of the other, can't be both. You are supposed to play both sides of the ball, that is the point of most sports, play offense and defense (obviously NFL football being an exception)... in certain circumstances being horrible at one side of the play and great at the other may balance out, other times it may not... but that is the point of sports... if we have to dumb down the sports for the lowest possible IQed fan, then we may as well just turn everything into monster truck rally's and professional wrestling. Want to solve the inter league problem. Get rid of inter league play... Inter league play is what ruined the all star game and why we have to have the STUPID WS home field rule to make it remotely interesting. The idea was, after the 94 strike to make multiple inter league series a year, they sold it as "having 13 world series every year" The problem being, that cheapens the actual world series! Everything baseball has done to market itself to more fans has only alienated the fan base it already had. The DH has been around too long in the AL to get rid of, but for chrissake KEEP IT OUT OF THE NL GAME!!! LET ONE SIDE STILL PLAY REAL BASEBALL!!

"Dosn't the 8 hole hitter know the pitcher is behind him? Where's the strategy in that?" Wheb that 215 average 8 hole guy is taking his free base, and Jim Thome comes out of the dugout to hit for the pitcher, that is called strategy. Maybe this guy should study baseball a little more, dosn't seem like he knows the game to well.

A few things I haven't liked about the DH. - Loss of the double switch as a part of strategy - The DH can be a shelter for guys who are good power hitters but can't field worth a lick. I think back on Luzinski later years with Chicago, late-career Mike Piazza, Dave Kingman, and Manny Ramirez. All productive hitters for sure but a bit...erm..lacking defensively. I find it a bit annoying that these guys got a regular place in the lineup while only playing half of the game. - A.L. pitchers can throw at opposing hitters without fear of eating lace themselves. It should be a two-way street in that regard. - Yeah, most pitchers suck at batting but who didn't love seeing Bartolo Colon's home run or when Rick Sutcliffe launched one back in the day? I don't think DH should be gotten rid of, though. I'm used to it as an A.L. feature so I would just keep things the same.

I mean it would be great for the NL because on some NL teams they have some bench players that can really hit or play defense. Like Bill Ripken said. Implement the DH in NL because so the good hitters can focus on hitting, than having to play defense all game and give a bench player a chance.

Shohei Ohtani just blew Ripkens what if what if what ifs out the door about having a DH. AL should get rid of the DH.

I’m very happy with the DH in NL as Giants fan :). The pitchers only pitch no bat. Ohtqni is a phenomenon, the regular pitchers can’t hit.

What about true universal dh, dbr and df. 9 designated hitters, 9 designated baserunners, and 9 designated fielders including the pitcher, plus 9 in the pen? Have to protect the hitters from baserunning injuries, and protect fielders from bei g plunked.

I love baseball and am a dedicated fan who is a traditionalist. My true opinion is leave baseball the way it is alone. (DH in AL, No DH in NL). Reason: this gives an opportunity for good hitting pitchers a league to play in and non good hitting pitchers a league to play in. However, like every good idea in every buisness, consumers may not like change. Baseball is a buisness so we as fans (consumers) may have to embrace changes and will adapt accordingly. My opinions on solutions to handling of the DH is this (if adopted bc its an idea to theoretically to produce more product, runs, which alot of fans, the consumer, wants): 1-Leave it up to each individual manager who they want to hit, a DH or the pitcher. or along with this Let 9 guys hit and let the manger decide who is the weakest link for the day and DH that hitter. 2- Leave the DH rule (DH for pitcher) to Home team manager whether its going to be implemented for the game) 3- Loose DH in AL (each player in game is responsible/accountable for the production if the offense.) 4- Leave the game alone. Every baseball fan knows the rules the way they are and are fans because of the diversity of the different league lineups. All in all, im for leaving it alone. But if the decision is to change, I hope its made with the interest of the fans and done correctly.

Have the DH all around, except for the pitchers that can hit (Ohtani). IF he is taken off the mound, he's eligible to stay in the batting order as the DH. Also, if you're adding the DH, I would say to get rid of the AL and NL. Just have 3 division 10, and all every team to face each other. Currently your facing your division 76/162 games, that's insane. In the past it made sense, but now, come on.

the black guy looks like he wants to fight somebody today lmaooo

I believe the NL will adopt the DH rule, its coming whether you like it or not. Besides I think it will add more thump to the NL Lineups c'mon now.

So the climax of the game is offense? MLB needs to get it out of it's head that the fan's favorite part of the game is the long ball. I'm ok with with the American League having the DH exclusively; just don't pretend that the game is only about offense.

So do the best batters not have to play the field for a chance of getting injured now?

Bartolo Colon is the GOAT.

Solution........no DH. You only have 8 batters......and the pitcher doesn't hit. After the 8th batter.........you can go back to the 1st batter. Problem solved. Now the team can have the pitcher hit if they chose too. They can pinch hit for them too.

I dont like the idea since I think all players should hit. I do understand the idea of trying to prevent a likely bad at bat but some pitchers are good hitters. I also dont like that 90% of the time it's only pitchers that are called bad hitters when SOME infielders aren't good hitters. Wherever you stand I respect your opinion.

Bring it. It's dumb not to have it. It's in the minors and college ball. Japanese and Korean leagues have a DH. You ask NL pitchers and the majority of them HATE hitting. Everyone by one set of rules.

No good damn no, the national league doesn't need the DH. If you all are so obessed with the DH just watch the American league. They could always let the pitcher hit and have a DH. If I recall correctly the NCAA has it like that or did.

The first half of a baseball game is more exciting in the AL, because the pitcher is not hitting. But the second half of the NL game (when the game is on the line) is MUCH more exciting than the AL.

As a Canadian and Toronto Blue Jays fan I used to watch Braves games on Peachtree Tv... I loved the strategy and yes 2 out and your 8 hitter is up early in the game can be a bit dull but more often than not there is strategy... I would say leave it the way it is and actually to people who dont watch baseball whenever I tell them about the difference they are very intruged...

Why does no one care that all of the relief pitchers & closers never hit? It's okay to have one-dimensional players if they are pitchers, but if they are hitters (which is much more difficult to do successfully) it is a big problem and not "real baseball"? That makes no sense. How many at-bats did Kimbrel have when he was in the NL or Chapman when he was with the Reds & Cubs? I could list hundreds of NL relievers who never hit, but that's okay? It's hypocritical to use that argument that every player should have to hit and play the field. AL pitchers don't have to bat, so there is no repercussion if they throw at a batter? Same could be said for every relief pitcher in the NL too if that is a point you're making. Like Ripken said, the DH is coming to the NL; might as well embrace it.

Ripken is wrong about the Phillies owner going fishing in 1972. That vote was in 1979 at the NL owners meetings. Philly wanted the DH because the had Greg Luzinski, a great hitter but a defensive liability.

How about giving your pitchers batting practice

I don’t mind being either way. I’ll leave it up to someone else I can’t make a decision.

When is this going to happen???? The only pitchers that can somewhat hit are Greinke and Bumgarner

It's entertainment. Nobody wants to watch a pitcher strike out on 3 pitches over and over again

Bill is correct it’s about time they change

YES ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Bill just hit it on the head with the wildcard situation. Detroit couldve been using V-Mart instead they had to play the Braves

Just because the 8 hole hitter knows that the pitcher is behind him, doesn't discredit the strategy of it.

Arguments against the Designated Hitter rule: The DH seems to receive an unfair advantage. The other batters all take the field each inning, standing out there in the heat readying themselves to catch the ball with every pitch. This must take a toll on a person. The DH just sits in the dugout, resting. Part of the ritual of baseball is the defense taking the field. It’s exciting. But now, one stays behind and sits on his backside. The DH hurts the ritual. Football has a platoon system, but every offensive and defensive player takes part in it. With baseball, the DH is the only one. It’s incongruous. Also with football, it’s not practical to have a guy out there all game because of all the physical contact. You don’t have that problem with baseball. Baseball offense is not specialized. Every player bats. In football, there’s specialization. One guy throws, a few guys catch, a few run, others block, others kick the ball. Some never touch the ball. So having offensive and defensive specialization doesn’t seem odd because the sport is specialized by design. With baseball, again, it’s incongruous because on offense everyone bats and on defense everyone tries to catch the ball.

As a fan of baseball why not?

stop having inter league games at the end of the year

pitchers hit in high school in nyc

Let the fans vote on it we are the ones watching and please fix this crazy replay I hate it

If the DH was around in the 20s The babe would have never hit 700 homers. I know i'd wanna hit if I was a pitcher

National League came before the American League. Therefore, get rid of the DH.

Imagine the NFC getting 12 players on offense in the NFL. Baseball is hilarious.

What if the National League adjusted their rule? How about: 1) A Designated Hitter cannot play in back to back games. 2) Use of a pitcher as a Designated Hitter is the option of the Pitcher (in other words, a pitcher must make the ultimate decision if he wants to hit or not) This decision would ultimately be up to relievers as well. 3) No player can play at the Designated Hitter Position as a permanent position. So in a sense, the integrity if the game is kept intact, the Pitchers who are good at swinging the bat are able to if they want to. But, the advantage of resting players throughout the year while still using their bat is no longer only an advantage the American league can have. Let me know what you think?

No. Real baseball players play on the field and with a bat. AL needs to get rid of the DH.

I've always felt this... if we have interleague play, they have to use the same rules... so either both should have it.. or neither should have it... or my preferred method.. do away with interleague play completely during the regular season... because w/ interleague play.. it's not really leagues any more.. it more like the NFL w/ conferences..

The nl plays the game how its supposed to be played and thats that if anything the dh should either stay or go but its not coming to the nl. Back in the day the world series was open to fans of 2 leagues, now its fans of 2 teams because there are no differences between the al and nl anymore, i also hate this random inter league play. Its like taking the whole point out of the 2 mlb leagues and making it the 30 teams of mlb. The al and nl were made to compete for the world seties title, now most people dont even care about the 2 leagues, its they're favorite of 30 teams

If pitcher dont hit then its not ur problem they can atleast bunt.

Baseball never should have created the DH in the first place. Pitchers in both MLB leagues should have to take their turns at bat just like the everyday players do on a baseball team period.

completely agree with cliff, leave my league alone ripken

Add the DH to the NL, would rather see a Jorge Soler or a Franmil Reyes then Zach Greinke. Once the pitcher comes up to bat, it’s a joke. Usually taking until 2 Strikes then getting blown away by a fastball down the pipe.

Leave it the way it fucking is. The game is changing a lot with tevhnology which is not necessarily a bad thing but this has nothing to do with technology. Leave it the way it is

What about this only 8 men bat in each league why do 9 men have to bat

here what im going to say what do people want to see in their first hockey/soccer great saves no they come to see goals game goals. what do people want to see in their first basketball game great blocking no slam dunks. what do people want to see in their first football game sacks no epic touchdowns. what do people want to see in their first baseball game a pitchers duel no tape measure home runs. what im saying people want to see offense. it what brings in new fans and in the future the nl will change to bring in new fans

There are two sides to baseball: offense and defense. If you're a baseball player, you play both sides of baseball. DHs are only playing half the game. Every player should play both sides of the game. Everyone plays the field, everyone hits. Drop the DH in the AL.

F the DH how many times did Roger Clemens hit guys with Yanks Boston & Toronto on purpose yet he didn't hit then & Pedro Martinez hit a guy when pitching in Montreal hit a Philly so they bean Pedro & he charges the mound. The DH is gonna allow pitchers to hit batters without nothing happening.

There is 9 positions on the field those 9 should hit PERIOD end of story.

It's not real baseball if players don't play on both sides of the field. You could make some shit argument about relief pitchers or something, but adding a DH to the NL wont change the answer to that.

I hate the DH: so much better watching a NL game

Keep the leagues unique, get rid of Interleague play.

Pitchers hit all of the time in high school.

Welp the NL got the DL

Leave it alone. DH in AL. No DH in NL. It divides the leagues. It separates the leagues. It makes baseball twice as good period.

What baseball really needs is a fucking salary cap.

Pitchers def hit in high school lmao

The AL has a much smarter game than the NL. It makes no sense to have a .135 hitter in the lineup who strikes out 39% of the time, which is what NL pitchers did in 2016. This lowers the quality of the game, and the lack of base runners from the #9 slot means no strategy for the #1 slot to do. Also, it takes no brains at all to have a pitcher bunt, and those bunts amount to only 1 extra bunt every 8 games, anyway. The AL manager has to be more cerebral in deciding among several other options with his #9 hitter up: steal, hit and run, or swing away. Both leagues have to be equally careful in managing their bullpens, because each league averages just 5 2/3 innings from their starters, and only 3 complete games per team. This also means that pinch-hitting for a pitcher is not a big deal anymore, since both leagues will be removing their starter early anyway. The double-switch does nothing but lower the quality of the game even more by replacing a starter with a lesser player. So the AL will never dump the dh: putting a .135 hitter in their lineups would dumb down their game in exchange for nothing.

Hey Billy Ripken, that’s a great story but here is where you’re wrong; when you have a pitcher that can hit! It’s the fucking golden goose! Carlos Zambrano, Kerry Wood, John Lester! (I know, I’m a Cubs fan). You’re just taking away another great element of the game. Chess match no more. You’re never going to see a double switch with American League rules and that’s depressing. I hate the idea.

Every team I have been apart of has always had the pitcher bat. There was 1 tournament where they didn't let the pitcher bat that I played in out of probably 100 + tournaments. Offense and defense is apart of the game everyone should do both.

I think that pitchers should hit in both leagues. I understand that baseball is the only sport that you can fail 2/3rds of the time, and still be one of the best players of all time, but hitting the ball is 1/2 the game, so why does a pitcher get to skip out of half a game

There's always been 9 players on each team in baseball. Not 10!

I'm a Jays fan and love the dh in the AL, but I would never want it in the NL. I like the difference between leagues.

He said I don't see how the owners have ummm umm you know they spent millions some billions on the ballclub right and pay for everything for the ballclub and they should have every say in everything what is that guy talking about he's a clown for saying that

Canadian baseball for like high school and little league doesn't have a dh

The DH cheapens the game by rewarding losers who cant play both sides of the field. This isnt little league.

It's the wrong question. It's time for the AL to get rid of the DH. The NL plays real baseball. The AL isn't fun to watch because it's a dumbed down version of the game.

NL is dinosaur baseball. Vast majority of Millennials would rather watch sluggers hit home runs than pitchers bunting. Fail to adjust with the times at your own risk.

You cannot be a productive batter if you only face live at-bat every 5th day like these NL pitchers. No way. You cannot find a grove in that setup, which is why these pitchers are perennial bad hitters. So let's just stop it and put a DH in there to solve the problem once for all.

No. The American League needs to return to the real game and eliminate the DH. Baseball is a game where players play both ways. If the National League institutes the DH, I will never watch or listen to a game again... let alone pay to do so.

No

I love it dh lets go dodgers✌️👌☝🏽

people say the NL has more strategy, its not strategy if everybody in the stadium knows that the pitcher is going to bunt! it's not strategy if everybody knows that they're bring a pinch hitter to hit for the pitcher. its not strategy if everybody knows that tehy are going to walk the 8 hitter to face the pitcher. its not fun to see a guy hit .140 in the major leagues. bring the DH to both leagues

The DH needs to be adopted in the National League.