Thirty-five years ago today the worst thing that has ever happened to the sport of baseball began. I am of course referring to the designated hitter. A sop to the union, this rule allows players who cannot field, throw or run to continue or have careers when they would otherwise not be able to.
It also allows for the crap we see in the American League where the pitchers get into bean-ball contests. Pitchers don't have to hit. There is little need for the art of the "productive out." It's sickening to a baseball purist.
A case could be made that this stupid rule distorted statistics far more than steroids ever could.
Astro-turf and cookie-cutter stadiums are going away, thankfully. I only wish we could put this sad chapter in baseball history behind us as well.
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