The Yankees‘ loss of their ace, Chien-Ming Wang, for up to 10 weeks prompted the team co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner to chastise the National League for playing without a designated hitter. “My only message is simple,” Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. “The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century.” Steinbrenner said he was angry and added: “I’ve got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He’s going to be out. I don’t like that, and it’s about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s.” Making a rare appearance on the bases at an N.L. park in Houston on Sunday, Wang pulled up rounding third and hobbled home on a Derek Jeter single.
Yes, by all means let’s change the rules because one egomaniacal executive is having a hissy-fit because his pitcher was hurt doing what baseball players are supposed to be doing. Dumbass.
What a wiener.
Designated hitters are for pussies.
I agree with him. I’ve always found it asinine that both leagues play by different rules. It would be like the AFC putting 10 men on the field while the NFC always used 11.
I’ve always thought the DH needs to be used in both leagues or abolished in both leagues. And personally, I’d rather see another hitter hit than a pitcher.
I agree with Chag, it should be equal but I am against the DH.
I agree… both leagues should be the same. My preference would be no DH at all.
No DH…. If the pitcher can’t hit, perhaps he ought to practice more.
What is the repercussion for an AL pitcher plunking a batter when said pitcher never has to stand in the box and face his own medicine???
Steinbrenner is a complete jackass.
The DH was instituted to drive up scoring – it was coupled with the lowering of the pitching mound by
6″. In today’s age of 12-9 games, the time for the abolishment of the DH is long overdue.
It is a shame that baseball has a commissioner that has completely sold off the game. Don’t believe me? Look at the evidence – wild card teams winning WS despite a 162 game season. Why play 162 games? Money. Plain and simple. Ticket prices are insane.
If you pay $150 for the baseball package on DirecTV, you can’t watch it until 7:00 pm. Thank you Selig for selling out the TV rights so FOX can blackout the entire country. By the way – that same FOX contract is the SOLE reason the All-star game determines home field advantage in the World Series.
I could go on and on about how Selig has screwed up our beloved sport, but I don’t have the time and it sure as hell won’t change anything.
Selig does everything for money. Bottom Line. Fuck the history and sanctity of the game, mind you.
I say Fuck Selig. And yes, I know Selig is not responsible for the DH.