Atlanta Braves: Checkers and Chess – Why the NL Needs the DH
By Seth Carter
As a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves, I’ve always considered myself a traditionalist when it came to the DH in the National League. Here’s why I’m ready to convert.
The existence of the DH has always been a polarizing issue to Atlanta Braves fans and baseball fans in general. Many hate the idea that pitchers have a designated player bat in their stead. Some fans prefer it to stay in the American League, while some fans think the two leagues should operate under the same rules.
A 2018 poll at MLB Trade Rumors shows a 50/50 split on a universal designated hitter. At the time of this writing, there have been exactly 13,000 votes cast.
- Pro-DH: 6,500
- No-DH: 6,500
The poll is still open… I just voted. Now it’s 6,501 in favor of the DH.
The DH has produced some of the game’s great hitters since its inception in 1973. We immediately think of guys like Frank Thomas, Edgar Martinez, and David Ortiz. However, the DH position also extended many great players’ careers.
It gave Ken Griffey Jr. the ability to have that farewell tour in Seattle in which he hit 19 homers for his original Major League team. Reggie Jackson began seeing regular time as a DH at age 32.
Many people pointed to the potential for a DH in the National League as a way to justify signing Josh Donaldson to a four-year deal with the Braves. Ultimately, the Twins (a team that already has a DH) were able to offer him the four years he desired.
IF his age catches up with him and IF he becomes a defensive liability, he can slot into the DH and they can save runs with another player on defense.
Even after multiple surgeries and at the age of 40, Chipper Jones was able to post a zero in the defensive runs saved category for the Braves in 2012. He was holding his own but as well as he was hitting, you have to wonder if the DH would have allowed him to squeeze another year out for the Braves.
If not Chipper, it still makes it possible to keep those iconic franchise players around a little longer.
At age 28, Harold Baines became primarily a designated hitter and rode the position all the way to the Hall of Fame.
With advanced metrics and zone ratings, defensive performance is being scrutinized more than ever. Players with a big bat need the DH option as they age.
By age 31, Nelson Cruz saw his defensive metrics plummet. By his age-33 season, Baltimore began using him as a DH. Since then, Cruz has amassed 244 homers and posted a .916 OPS.