Chart: More on designated hitters

A sampling of DH stats for American League teams over the past 15 seasons:

2011:284HR, 1,208 RBI,.266average/.341 on-base percentage/.430 slugging percentage
2010:308 HR, 1,161RBI, .252/.332/.426

2006:392HR, 1,318 RBI,.264/.350/.469

2000:352HR, 1,339 RBI, .276/.361/.463

1996: 366 HR, 1,473RBI, .277/.365/.466

The decision of many clubs to rotate at DH has left these free agents out of work:

Hideki Matsui:.251, 12 HR, 72 RBI with Athletics in 2011Vladimir Guerrero:.290, 13 HR, 63 RBI with Orioles in 2011

Magglio Ordonez: .255, 5 HR, 32 RBI with Tigers in 2011

• Tony Oliva, hobbled by bad knees, was the team's first DH -- and still one of its best.

• Oliva and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, nearing the end of their careers, shared the job in 1974.

• Hall of Famer Paul Molitor was the primary DH the final three seasons of his career (1996-98).