2007-05-19 04:41:07 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
well there are two reasons for dh. the more correct reason is to make sure the pitcher doesnt get hurt while batting and the second reason is to have a better hitter instead of the pitcher. Coming out of the low-scoring 1960s, attendance was down. The AL decided to try and perk up ticket sales by boosting offense (this is a historical, documented trend -- scoring == ticket sales), and implemented the DH (which is optional) in 1973.
2007-05-19 05:02:31 · answer #1 · answered by pyschofish26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like it makes sense to have a pitcher on the DL for a month or more because he mashed a finger trying to hit. Or because he pulled a muscle trying to run the bases. Or lose his effectiveness because his opposite has been trying to pick him off after he was (GULP!!!!!) WALKED.
The better question is why is the NL the only league on this planet that still refuses to use the DH. It's been around since 1973. The link below gives the career numbers of the first man to come to the plate as a DH, Ron Blomberg.
2007-05-19 04:48:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pitchers, as a group, are poor hitters; they don't have to be good at hitting because their reason for being on the team is their pitching skill.
Coming out of the low-scoring 1960s, attendance was down. The AL decided to try and perk up ticket sales by boosting offense (this is a historical, documented trend -- scoring == ticket sales), and implemented the DH (which is optional) in 1973.
Yankees player Ron Blomberg holds the distinction of being the first DH, as he was the first to bat on Opening Day 1973.
2007-05-19 04:47:49 · answer #3 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the year 1973 (the American league only( started the Desinated(DH) they did this so that pitches would have an extra hitter to get them runs .Neawhile the owners of the Nationnal league) teams didn/t like the idea.
2007-05-19 04:59:13 · answer #4 · answered by gerardnolting 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what DH's are for, but I think this first happened around 1973.
2007-05-19 04:57:11 · answer #5 · answered by Jesse B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care because I like it. David Ortiz is by far the best DH in the game right now. GO RED SOX!
2007-05-19 05:53:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got this from someone else...
Back in the 1920's the National League was falling behind in offense and attendance. Babe Ruth of course was tearing up the American League and was the biggest draw when the Yankees played in the other American League cities. The National League owners wanted to beef up the offense on each of their eight teams. They came up with the idea of having a good hitter bat in place of the pitcher; it was to be called the "Designated Pinch-Hitter".
2007-05-19 05:19:06 · answer #7 · answered by Zach S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It happened a good number of years ago, well over 30. It was instituted to make the game more interesting and competitive. I think it has succeeded!!
Chow!!
2007-05-19 05:20:11 · answer #8 · answered by No one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but i think the AL Should be like the NL and make the pitcher hit
2007-05-19 04:44:41 · answer #9 · answered by tarheelblue_fanattic 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think to boost up the team's hitting.
2007-05-19 04:58:04 · answer #10 · answered by Bryan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋