DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Rob Manfred announces universal DH rule

Major League Baseball is making a significant rule change

Alex Barth
Feb 10, 2022
98.5 The Sports Hub

If and when the 2022 Major League Baseball season will start is still up in the air. But when it does, there will be a major shakeup in the way the game is played for half the teams in the league.

Speaking with reporters Thursday morning, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the league will be adopting a universal designated hitter rule. The days of pitchers batting in professional baseball are likely over.

This is a change that has been in the works for a number of years. Baseball began thinking about synching the rules in the two leagues once interleague play became more common with the Houston Astros’ move to the American League in 2013. During the shortened 2020 season, the National League did use a DH, but went back to pitchers hitting in 2021. At the time, the reported goal was to make the change permanent, but the sides couldn’t get that done in time for the 2021 season. The DH was originally introduced in the American League in 1973.

As Major League Baseball and the MLBPA work through a lockout, the hope for the players is adding a universal DH will create more jobs as National League clubs look for another starting-caliber bat. The change should also help facilitate a more high-scoring game, increase the pace of play (less pitching changes) and limit pitchers getting injured.

Of course, the rule change doesn’t mean much if there aren’t baseball games being played. Asked about the status of the start of the season, Manfred told reporters on Wednesday “I’m an optimist, and I believe we will have an agreement in time to play our regular-season schedule.” He added “The status of spring training is no change right now.” Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to begin reporting on Feb. 15.

https://985thesportshub.com/2022/02/10/major-league-baseball-is-making-a-significant-rule-change/

Good move.

I am a baseball purist, but this makes sense. It's about time.

I'd rather see pitchers hit, but that kind of baseball is gone. At least now AL clubs won't be at a disadvantage playing in NL parks. Plus maybe it will help solve the lockout issue in some small way since its viewed by players as creating additional jobs for older, more accomplished hitters

I do too.

In the end, the NL really hasn't been playing much "small ball" for a good while. With that the case, it makes sense. I would rather keep some pitchers in the game rather than see them removed or being the only players who try to lay down a bunt to advance a runner.

I really think MLB is having an identity crisis because marketing types tell them they have to appeal to an age demographic that requires constant stimulation, and lots of action and scoring. And while I believe that is true about younger sports fans, I also believe that if MLB stays the course and maintains its traditional pace and nuances then that age group is going get older and long for some relief from the frenetic pace of modern life. It doesn't mean baseball is boring; you just have to learn to appreciate all the skills involved in a well played game, and not just the HR bombs.

I miss the style of baseball that was played when I was a kid. Moving the runner, hit-and-run, stolen bases, first-to-third base running, triples, and great defensive plays like the 3-6-3 double play or the well turned relay from OF to cut off man to the catcher for a put out at the plate.

But now, you watch MLB highlight shows and all you see is an endless loop of home runs. What used to be special, like a walk off HR, is now so ubiquitous that its boring.

This is a great move. The changing of the rule depending on the park in which it was played was ... stupid. I have always hated watching a pitcher flailing away futilely, and even though every once in a while a pitcher would have a career night, those are so few and far between. The only bad thing about pitchers not hitting is that a natural bathroom break has been eliminated.

Hate it takes away the strategy of MLB Managers .... Should have made it Universal to take away the DH !!!

I think they should consider moving the fences back, making it harder to go deep. With some parks that might not be possible, but they at least should look at it.

Baseball should have gone the other way and forced a universal Pitchers must bat rule, but it doesn't matter because the sport has been forgotten for years.

It's about damn time. DH in both leagues makes everything equal.

I agree with almost everything that is said. I do miss the small ball and etc.

One point you brought up Dave that I want to add is your post about age demographic and etc.

MLB does a terrible job (and that might be an understatement) of marketing its players. You turn on the tv, and commercials just pop out at you....boom there's Steph Curry, Lebron, Gronk, Brady, and you can go on and on on the other major sports, doing commercials. Once in a while you'll even see head coaches in them.

MLB? Barely anything. The average fan doesn't know or get exposed to these players and their personalities.

Think back to the marketing of the 90s/early 2000s. Maybe my memory is incorrect....but Jeter was pasted everywhere....I can hear the crowd yelling Derek Jeeeter (yuck). If I said "The Kid" ...I can picture Griffey with his hat backwards and that million dollar smile. The craze of McGwire/Sosa battling it out for the home run race. Bonds all over the news for his smooth home run swing. Big Papi doing his thing.

Heck, the Maddux/Glavine commercial is one of my all time favorites.

This commercial is still awesome, haha.

Hate the DH they make it universal that pitchers need to hit ...

I agree. What marginal sports fan couldn't identify a photo of LeBron/Curry or Brady/Mahomes/Rodgers? Could those same fans pick Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani out of a lineup? I seriously doubt it.

The NBA started it, marketing players over teams.. and it worked. The NFL has more recently started doing it. MLB is still marketing teams and they only market about 4 or 5 of them so....

Rob Manfred is such a tool. Beyond disgusted by this whole situation.

I think many or most of the owners want a deal. I think the big markets don't. I think we are seeing a fight between the owners as much or more as anything against the players.

Owners, Players, Fans - only ONE entity in that group cares about and loves the game. But as Rhett Butler said to Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind: "Scarlett, did it ever occur to you that even the most deathless love could wear out?". They need to know they are treading on dangerous ground.

A clearly distraught Rob Manfred waiting for MLBPA's response to MLB owners "final offer" ...

This should be good for the game...

My view of what a commissioner's role SHOULD be: caretaker of the game; spokesman for the fans.

The players aren't the innocents in this one. There is plenty of smear to go around.

Some people always speak out against labor. Even when that labor only makes $7.25 an hour. Some things you can always count on. Like any running clock will strike 12:00 twice in 24 hours.

The other side of that is, people have the option of getting a different job if they don't like their pay. Weird how that works.

Yeah it is weird how people think their should be a special poverty wage paid in our nation for people who they feel are beneath them only to serve them while making excuses why that's okay.

First of all, mlb players aren't making poverty wages, so can it on that.

Secondly, I don't know of a single person making $7.25 an hour, even here, at McDonalds. Starting pay is $11-13 an hour.

Furthermore, part time jobs aren't meant to be jobs that entirely support a family. Period. So, try again.

Thanks for providing more evidence why you have advocated the federal minimum wage remaining at $7.25 an hour. You see, once again my comment had nothing to do with you. It was in response to someone who has always stood for the side of management no matter the circumstances. Minimum wage was merely an extreme example of that. But you, as per usual, just couldn't help yourself as was expected.