Who are some of your favorite MLB Desiginated Hitters (DH) all-time?

[okfine]

A nice side effect of the DH rule is that it extended the careers of some fan favorite baseball players. Reggie Jackson and Carl Yastrzemski for example.

It makes those power hitters useful while they finish out those $$$$$$$$ contracts.

 

[Oldestyle]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

 

[okfine]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay.

This will come as news to what's called the "National League". You know --- the original one.

If I had such a thing as a favourite DH it would be the guy who found himself in an interleague game and got a day off from the field where he could actually PLAY, but still got into the game as long as they were going to give him a fake position and an extra batter.

The DH is a dishonest idea. It's based on the self-fulfilling mythology that "pitchers can't hit".

DH sucks so I refuse to name one. Can't hit... get out of the game.

You mean "field" but absolutely agree. And ain't it ironic that when Ohtani came in from Japan he went to the junior circuit where they need this sort of malarkey,

Imagine if baseball were to institute "designated fielders". Batting for 1B tonight will be Adam Dunn. Fielding the position will be Tommy Hutton.

Don't forget AL has a F'n 32 man roster. C'mon man... Dodgers play at Elysian Park and that AL team plays at Fenway Park. LOL

 

[Unkotare]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

Are you actively and clinically insane? Big Papi is far and away the greatest DH to ever play the game.

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

Are you actively and clinically insane? Big Papi is far and away the greatest DH to ever play the game.

Not in MY book. But then again, I AM clinically insane, but I get by. This site helps me spend some fun time, where I can forget all about being insane. Personally, I think you'd have to be a bit crazy if you thought you weren't a bit insane. Everyone IS a bit nuts, to some degree.

 

[okfine]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay.

This will come as news to what's called the "National League".

You know --- the original one.

If I had such a thing as a favourite DH it would be the guy who found himself in an interleague game and got a day off from the field where he could actually PLAY, but still got into the game as long as they were going to give him a fake position.

But the National League DOES use the DH in inter-league play AND in the World Series, as you mentioned, my dear Pogo. Now, please list some of your favorite DH's. Otherwise, don't bother replying to this thread again. Thank you.

There's literally no such thing as a "favorite" in a position that isn't a position in the first place ("position" after all refers to one's place in what we call the FIELD).

I'm an NL fan. We don't use a DH, the pitcher takes his hacks just like everybody else. You know, like Babe Ruth. So the ONLY time I see a DH used is when my team visits an AL park and gets a bonus of an extra guy in the batting order. Who that is in a given game only depends on who needs a semi-rest, so it rotates.

2B is actually a fielder playing an infield position.

 

[Unkotare]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

Are you actively and clinically insane? Big Papi is far and away the greatest DH to ever play the game.

Not in MY book. But then again, I AM clinically insane, but I get by. This site helps me spend some fun time, where I can forget all about being insane. Personally, I think you'd have to be a bit crazy if you thought you weren't a bit insane. Everyone IS a bit nuts, to some degree.

Well, sometimes you feel like a nut,...

 

[Pogo]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

What you just did is construct an argument that Harold Baines does not belong in the Hall.

I don't know myself, not an AL guy. Could he play the field? If not, he ain't no ballplayer.

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

What you just did is construct an argument that Harold Baines does not belong in the Hall.

I don't know myself, not an AL guy. Could he play the field? If not, he ain't no ballplayer.

He WAS a mighty fine defensive player IN THE OUTFIELD before he developed leg problems, ya knucklehead. And his career offensive numbers ARE worthy of the Hall of Fame. I believe he finished in the top 30, ALL-TIME, for RBI. And PLEASE don't keep responding to this thread if you're NOT going to post your favorite DH's, SPP (Stuck Pig Pogo). Thank you.

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

What you just did is construct an argument that Harold Baines does not belong in the Hall.

I don't know myself, not an AL guy. Could he play the field? If not, he ain't no ballplayer.

He WAS a mighty fine defensive player IN THE OUTFIELD before he developed leg problems, ya knucklehead. And his career offensive numbers ARE worthy of the Hall of Fame. I believe he finished in the top 30, ALL-TIME, for RBI. And PLEASE don't keep responding to this thread if you're NOT going to post your favorite DH's, SPP (Stuck Pig Pogo). Thank you.

I checked his stats, he's at #34 in career RBI. Thank you.

 

[Pogo]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

What you just did is construct an argument that Harold Baines does not belong in the Hall.

I don't know myself, not an AL guy. Could he play the field? If not, he ain't no ballplayer.

He WAS a mighty fine defensive player IN THE OUTFIELD before he developed leg problems, ya knucklehead. And his career offensive numbers ARE worthy of the Hall of Fame. I believe he finished in the top 30, ALL-TIME, for RBI. And PLEASE don't keep responding to this thread if you're NOT going to post your favorite DH's, SPP (Stuck Pig Pogo). Thank you.

As I said I wouldn't know, not having seen him play being an NL guy. If his skills in the field AND at the plate warranted HoF, then by all means. If he couldn't play the field and they wanted his bat they should have put him at 1B.

Again, as noted before ---- imagine you set a baseball lineup with a string of "designated hitters" and another list of "designated fielders". Nine guys to bat, a different nine guys to pitch and field. That's what DH puts you on the road to, and it has no logical basis to exist. Once you do that you're no longer baseball --- you're the NFL. Ya want baseball or ya want football? PICK one.

Methinks you're just not used to dealing with a true Conservative.

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

What you just did is construct an argument that Harold Baines does not belong in the Hall.

I don't know myself, not an AL guy. Could he play the field? If not, he ain't no ballplayer.

He WAS a mighty fine defensive player IN THE OUTFIELD before he developed leg problems, ya knucklehead. And his career offensive numbers ARE worthy of the Hall of Fame. I believe he finished in the top 30, ALL-TIME, for RBI. And PLEASE don't keep responding to this thread if you're NOT going to post your favorite DH's, SPP (Stuck Pig Pogo). Thank you.

As I said I wouldn't know, not having seen him play being an NL guy. If his skills in the field AND at the plate warranted HoF, then by all means. If he couldn't play the field and they wanted his bat they should have put him at 1B.

Again, as noted before ---- imagine you set a baseball lineup with a string of "designated hitters" and another list of "designated fielders". Nine guys to bat, a different nine guys to pitch and field. That's what DH puts you on the road to, and it has no logical basis to exist. Once you do that you're no longer baseball --- you're the NFL. Ya want baseball or ya want football? PICK one.

I'll take baseball, ANY day. Now just go away, SPP........

 

[Pogo]

Methinks you're just not used to dealing with a true Conservative.

For instance ----------

------- what IS this malarkey with issuing an intentional walk without throwing any pitches? That ain't baseball, that's bullshitball.

or this bogus"defensive indifference"? That ain't baseball either, although that's just a scoring thing.

 

[bluzman61]

Well, to popular consensus of those who were kind enough to actually list their favorites, David "Big Papi" Ortiz is the winner by majority vote. He's not MY #1 choice, that would be Edgar Martinez, but on further review, he's my #2 pick now, followed by Harold Baines, at #3. Thanks, everyone, for your input. I'll be posting a thread about second basemen later tonight.

 

[LA RAM FAN]

IMO, the conversation begins and ends with Edgar Martinez.

Power, average, baserunning savvy....The total package.

Yep, Martinez IS my pick as THE best DH, all-time. He's my #2 favorite, behind only Harold Baines. But he definitely WAS a better DH than Baines.

Yeah the two that come to my mind as the two best ever are Harold Haines and Hal McRae.they defined that position. Frank Thomas would be in that mix as well.

 

[LA RAM FAN]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

Have you heard that the idiot owners are going to have BOTH leagues one have the DH. Man that pisses me off,I like the DH as well as you do but I HATE Having both leagues have it.if the NL adds the DH in their league that ruins the enjoyment of baseball,you lose so much in the games with both leagues having it because in the NL league without the DH,it’s fun to watch and guess what the manager will when the came is tied going into late innings if he will,take the chance and lift his starting pitcher fir a DH to try and get something started on offense,or if he will leave him there,there is so much more mind games to enjoy in the NL league than the American League,


These stupid owners can never make up their minds,twenty years ago they were talking about getting rid of the DH which I was equally as mad about of course,now they want the NL to have it

I was done with baseball a long time ago but this would Piss off so many thousands of others though because of being purists.


I would hate it fir both leagues to have it and I don want the American League to get rid of it either but if I HAD to make the difficult decision of it being one of the other,I would say get rid of the DH sense that was not how the game was originally invented, I would hate it of course but hate it worse having both leagues with the DH though,what’s your thoughts on this

 

[LA RAM FAN]

Oh an pd don’t know if his name has been mentioned or not but I can’t believe I forgot about David Ortiz,big papa,one of the best ever for sure as a DH,that guy was great.

 

[bluzman61]

Thanks to a recommendation from a fellow poster and baseball fan, I've decided to ask about this "position". Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. I've always liked it, I thought it made the game more interesting and added more offense to the game. My top 5 are - 1) Harold Baines, he IS my favorite MLB player all-time, so I'm a bit biased about this. Baines WAS a good defensive player in the outfield before he started having leg problems. He was a wonderful hitter, and he combined power at the plate with a high batting average. 2) Edgar Martinez, who I actually think is THE best DH all-time, but he's my #2 favorite. He, like Baines, hit for power and a high batting average. 3) Frank Thomas, the "Big Hurt", was a very effective DH, but also a fine first baseman, defensively, before he switched exclusively to DH late in his career. And like Baines and Martinez, he hit for incredible power and a high batting average. 4) Jim Thome, another player, who, like Thomas, was a good defensive player at first base, before switching to DH. He had INCREDIBLE power at the plate, probably even more than Thomas. 5) Ron Blomberg, the VERY first DH in MLB history, he debuted the position in April of 1973, playing for the New York Yankees. He was a very good hitter, with a .293 career batting average, but for some reason he didn't play a whole lot during his short career. So, here are my favorites, who are some of yours?

How can you not have Big Papi on that list? Are you serious? SHOCKING!!! LOL

I just remedied that! See post #12.

With all due respect...if you don't have Ortiz at number 1...you're out of your mind! Ask any Yankee fan if they didn't think Big Papi was the scariest DH EVAH!

Actually, I AM out of my mind, and I have several psychiatrists' diagnosei (that doesn't look right, sp.?) that have come to that conclusion. But I'm only HALF nuts, the other half is cashews. And I DO love being unique!

Pretty sure cashews are nuts too, Bluzman...which makes you 100% nuts! Just saying...

Oh yeah, they ARE nuts! That WOULD explain things. I guess I REALLY am totally effing nuts! But I have NO problem with that. I AM quite comfortable with my insanity.

And I always WILL like the DH rule! It most likely enabled Harold Baines to be a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. He was selected by a special veterans committee maybe 2-3 years ago. Without all those extra years he was able to play as a DH, and put up respectable career numbers for the Hall of Fame, he never would've made it. And that's probably the biggest reason why I like the DH rule.

Have you heard that the idiot owners are going to have BOTH leagues one have the DH. Man that pisses me off,I like the DH as well as you do but I HATE Having both leagues have it.if the NL adds the DH in their league that ruins the enjoyment of baseball,you lose so much in the games with both leagues having it because in the NL league without the DH,it’s fun to watch and guess what the manager will when the came is tied going into late innings if he will,take the chance and lift his starting pitcher fir a DH to try and get something started on offense,or if he will leave him there,there is so much more mind games to enjoy in the NL league than the American League,


These stupid owners can never make up their minds,twenty years ago they were talking about getting rid of the DH which I was equally as mad about of course,now they want the NL to have it

I was done with baseball a long time ago but this would Piss off so many thousands of others though because of being purists.


I would hate it fir both leagues to have it and I don want the American League to get rid of it either but if I HAD to make the difficult decision of it being one of the other,I would say get rid of the DH sense that was not how the game was originally invented, I would hate it of course but hate it worse having both leagues with the DH though,what’s your thoughts on this

Yes, I've noticed that BOTH leagues are using the DH now. I'm not quite sure why they decided to do this, it DOES change strategy somewhat. Maybe they decided that because it's a severely shortened season, they'd give it a try. I don't like it either. I believe a pitcher SHOULD have to bat, at least in the National League.