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MARK L. BAKKE'S
  Created with Allaire HomeSite 4.0 Last Update: 24 Oct 99 Return to "Designated Hitter" essay Back to Philosophy page Please feel free to E-mail me with your own comments on this issue or on anything else included in my Philosophy of Life section. Debate is good!
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REPLY #11 TO
"DESIGNATED HITTER"
Boldfaced statements are parts of the original essay (or a subsequent reply) to which the respondent has directed his comments.
 Italicized/emphasized comments prefaced by (R) are those of the respondent and are presented unedited. My replies appear under the respondent's comments in blue text and are prefaced by my initials (MB). (R) Your arguments are valid considering the American League perspective. Look at Jose Canseco. What self respecting Major League GM would sign him as a well rounded ball player. Sure he can crank out homers ala Sosa, but he said himself that if he were an everday player, he would have 500 home runs and 600 errors. I think baseball and interleague play would be better off without it. (MB)Why would baseball be better off without the DH? Is Jose Canseco any less of a "well-rounded" player because of his defensive shortcomings than is a pitcher who is totally inept at the plate? The fact that Canseco or any other defensive incompetent has a job at all is a supporting argument for the fact that the primary function of a baseball position player is to produce runs. There are a great many slick fielders who ride the bench until a late-inning defensive replacement is called for, but not too many productive hitters who sit due to their defensive problems. When Tampa Bay signed Canseco, they certainly didn't do it to gain a "well-rounded" player. They needed some offensive punch and they most certainly got more than their money's worth until Canseco went down with his injury. In fact, they are so pleased with his production that they recently gave him a two-year contract extension. They could care less if he couldn't catch a beach ball. The DH rule gives the Devil Rays three advantages that National League teams would not have. First, they gain Canseco's bat every day without sacrificing their defense. Second, they can play another hitter in the outfield who is also a better fielder. Third, they don't have the automatic out in the 9th spot in the batting order. Three big plusses and absolutely no minuses. What's not to like and how would baseball be better off without this? My arguments aren't simply an "American League perspective". They are from the perspective of a lifelong baseball fan who has been a fan since years before the DH rule was introduced.
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