© Denny Medley | 2017 Jun 21
The National League adopting the designated hitter is ‘gaining momentum’ among players according to Tony Clark, the executive director of the MLB Players Association. “Players are talking about it more than they have in the past,” Clark said via Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark says the idea of a universal DH among players “is gaining momentum… players are talking about it more than they have in the past.”
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 17, 2018
Though the American League has had the DH since 1973, there have been indications over the past few years that the National League may also be willing to adopt the rule. Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that the topic was picking up steam during an owners meeting in 2016.
“Twenty years ago, when you talked to National League owners about the DH, you’d think you were talking some sort of heretical comment. But we have a new group [of owners]. There’s been turnover. I think our owners in general have demonstrated a willingness to change the game in ways we think would be good for the fans—always respecting the history and tradition of the sport.”
As pointed out by Ben Lindbergh of The Ringer, pitchers’ ineptness at the plate is increasing every year, with pitchers combining for a .115/.146/.150 slash line in the first half of 2018.
(Chart via The Ringer)
If this change is indeed made in the immediate future, don’t expect Giants’ starter Madison Bumgarner to be on board.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Bumgarner told the San Francisco Chronicle earlier this season, “my job is pitching. That’s what I’m going to focus on doing. But the whole reason I work on hitting is because that’s how we play in the National League. You can help a team win a game.”
“There’s 100 percent more strategy,” he said. “You see American League managers — the game moves a little quick for them when they come over here. That might offend some people. It’s the truth. It’s a more difficult game to manage. At the same time, you’re giving more (hitters) jobs. I get that, too. There are two sides to it.”
Bumgarner elaborated on more rule changes, which has permeated the MLB in recent years, from limiting mound visits to incorporating instant replay. In short: he’s not a fan.
“Honestly, I don’t care anymore,” Bumgarner said. “We’ve changed so many rules, I can’t keep up with it. I play the game that they have for us. Who knows what that’s going to be when I’m finished, as much as I’ve seen changes in the little time I’ve been here.”
“I’ll play whatever rules we have, but I think it’s kind of getting out of hand,” Bumgarner said.