Know When To Say When: It's Time For Designated Hitters in the National League

I never thought I would utter the words in that headline. I have been a baseball fan since I was six years old—1988. I was a fan of the Braves and by virtue of that correlation a fan of National League baseball.
 
I have been a pure blooded, strategy-loving, designated hitter-hating fan for a very long time.

I love the use of the double switch, the sacrifice bunt, and the pinch hitter. I have always loved the strategy involved in whether or not to pinch hit for a pitcher in a close game where one run could mean the difference in winning and losing.
 
That is, until recently.
 
With the recent spate of injuries to pitchers occurring anywhere other than the mound I have become a NL Designated Hitter proponent.
 
Sunday night, Mets pitcher Fernando Nieve was legging out a ground ball, and ended up in a heap behind first base grimacing in pain. He would be carted off the field moments later. While far from an ace, Nieve lying on the ground in pain is the last thing the Mets needed.
 
Earlier this season Cubs ace and fantastic hitting pitcher, Carlos Zambrano pulled his hamstring after running hard to first. He was placed on the disabled list the next day.
 
Perhaps the most infamous incident happened during Interleague play last year when Yankees ace Chien Ming-Wang severely pulled his hammy rounding second base in Houston.

Wang missed the rest of the season, and has yet to regain his pre-injury form. Before the injury Wang was 54-20 with a career 3.86 ERA. Since the injury he’s 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA.
 
This is a very troubling trend that has started to take place. Just last season, the perennially-injured Mike Hampton hurt himself during spring training swinging the bat—an injury that further pushed back his progress from multiple arm problems.
 
This past offseason Tom Glavine was injured swinging during spring training and had to sit out a couple of weeks. That injury potentially cost him a million dollars as his rehab from arm surgery was pushed back as a result.

He was released before throwing a pitch in Atlanta in ’09.
 
There are more reasons than injuries though.
 
Pitchers make insane amounts of money. With the specialization of the position came lucrative contracts, and many teams base their success and futures on a pitcher’s arm. I guarantee you there has never been a contract clause or an incentive based on whether a pitcher will hit over .200. Fact is, most NL pitcher’s hit under .200 for a season.
 
The Braves gave Derek Lowe a $60 million dollar contract over four years to pitch, not hit.

Roy Halladay may be traded from the AL to an NL contender because of his arm. Tim Lincecum is on pace to win his second consecutive Cy Young Award for his pitching ability, not because of his ability to get a bunt down.
 
It was fun to see Mariano Rivera bat twice in one week recently. It was even more fun to see him get an RBI when he was walked with the bases loaded, but how many Yankees fans were holding their breath that he wouldn’t strain something as he swung the bat?
 
The AL pitcher’s are at a disadvantage during Interleague play because they simply do not bat in the American League, thus increasing the likelihood of being injured during a plate appearance.
 
Those are the negative things surrounding the issue. Let’s talk about the positive for a minute.
 
The NL is at a competitive disadvantage year-in, year-out from not having the DH.

American League teams get to utilize an extra full-time player every game. That increases a team’s fire power, win totals, and the overall standing of the League.
 
If the NL were to adopt the DH rule think of the possibilities.

For Braves fans, such as me, Chipper Jones could play until he’s 40 or even longer, while utilizing a prospect-laden farm system to play in the field.
 
Think of it, Mets fans, Gary Sheffield in the lineup night-in, night-out without having to risk an injury in the field.
 
How about players like Adam Dunn, who cannot play a lick of defense, being able to focus their entire efforts on swinging the bat.
 
Sure, some of the strategy and the need for “small ball” go out the window, but who plays like that anymore?

Strategy could still be achieved, and maybe even enhanced by allowing baserunners to steal more often, or using the hit and run more.
 
Most importantly in this equation, however, is the fact that you don’t have to watch your ace writhing in pain after being hit by a pitch, pulling a muscle running to first, or any other non-pitching related injury.