Open your mind momentarily.
Imagine things once thought unimaginable: front-row seats sitting empty at Yankee Stadium. Scott Richmond winning the Cy Young.
Now try this one on for size: Designated hitters in the National League.
Traditionalists should spare me the hate-mail (because I’m one of you). This is not a new idea. In fact, it seems to have become a yearly yarn for columnists in National League cities.
It isn’t a reach to suggest those who love the cerebral game likely prefer the National League. There’s so much more for the manager to do when the pitcher has to hit.
But big league baseball has adapted to specialization. Left-handed relievers make millions facing one batter. Closers pitch one inning, not three. Rotations feature five men, not four. What used to be considered a brief outing is now classified as a quality start. As such, the protection of arms has rendered the complete game an aberration (Roy Halladay aside).
Old-time players may snicker at the evolution, but there seems to be absolute acceptance by the modern baseball fan. So it’s doubtful many would kick up a fuss if National League pitchers were kept out of the batters box.
Besides, that injury Chien-Ming Wang suffered in Houston last year wasn’t pitching-related; he was running the bases. Carlos Zambrano has been lost to the Cubs after straining a hamstring attempting a bunt. Zambrano is paid half-a-million dollars each game to fool hitters, not be one. If baseball is truly intent on “protecting” these assets, don’t let them swing a bat.
One of the true joys about this year’s edition of the Toronto Blue Jays is that there isn’t an easy out. A handful of games have been won by the bottom of the order. (Some have also been lost; think Miguel Olivo or Josh Barfield).
But in the National League, the Daniel Cabrera’s (who can’t hit) greatly out-number the Micah Owings (who can), so early on, teams have the luxury of pitching around the eight-hitter knowing an easy out is on-deck.
I know there’s some discomfort in wishing change on a century-long tradition. But like I said earlier, it’s merely open for discussion. What do you think?
