The American League's designated hitter rule has been both embraced and vilified by the nation's baseball fans, their perceptions shaped largely by whether they favor offense or traditionalism.
The rule enters its 40th season, and controversy remains surprisingly strong considering this is one change that did exactly what it was intended to do. The DH was added in 1973 to increase attendance and run production in an era when pitching dominated.
Runs and attendance immediately shot up, and the American League became the superior league, winning eight of 11 World Series starting in 1983, and going 18-3-1 in All-Star Games from 1988 through 2009. Still, purists continue to express outrage, complaining that the DH stifles strategy, as if taking the bunt away from weak-hitting pitchers somehow threatens the game's integrity.
If the criticism has remained constant, the DH position itself has not, having morphed in ways few could have envisioned; the AL adopted the rule on a three-year trial basis and concluded it was so effective that it should be permanent.
The DH was at first a haven for aging or injured sluggers, or power hitters whose defense can politely be described as limited. Elements of that philosophy remain -- see the Twins and Justin Morneau, if the former MVP cannot return to first base.
But as the game has changed in the post-steroids era, so has the DH. Boston and David Ortiz are now the exception, with more teams, including the Twins, rotating position players into the DH spot.
With Jim Thome frequently injured the past two seasons, the Twins resorted out of necessity to the rotation strategy. A year ago four players -- Thome, Jason Kubel, Joe Mauer and Morneau -- got at least 13 starts, and 15 players in all had starts, tying for the AL high. Manager Ron Gardenhire said the master plan called for Ryan Doumit to be this season's primary DH, although Morneau's status likely will at least temporarily alter that.
As for his dream scenario, Gardenhire said: "It wouldn't be far-fetched to say Doumit could catch a couple days in a row, and give Mauer a couple DH days. Or put Mauer at first base, and DH Morneau a couple games in a row. We're going to put those guys out there, and keep those bats in the lineup."