Twins

MLB Insider: Adopt DH in both leagues sooner rather than later

The problem isn't pitchers getting injured hitting; it's AL teams having to play by NL rules.

By La Velle E. Neal III

May 2, 2015 at 10:43PM

The Giants’ Madison Bumgarner is a good hitter, but most pitchers are not. The NL should add the DH, one fan says. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

There has been quality entertainment the last couple of weeks as the debate over adding the designated hitter to the National League is raging.

Those against it embrace tradition as much as they like seeing Madison Bumgarner hit home runs and are entertained by Bartolo Colon pulverizing air.

Those who are for it embrace uniformity, offense and prolonging careers as much as they loathe watching pitchers hit.

It's been an interesting coexistence since 1972, when Ron Blomberg dug in at the plate as the first DH. The World Series has been a fun comparison of styles, as teams have had to learn how to play with it in AL parks, and without the extra hitter when the NL is at home.

Prolonging careers is a good thing, as fans of Harold Baines, Paul Molitor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz will attest. The Twins did not have the playoff run they hoped for when they signed Jim Thome, but there's nobody in town who didn't enjoy watching No. 25 take aim at First Avenue for a couple of years.

But there has been a problem festering for a few years now, and many believe that it's going to lead to the DH being added to both leagues. This is not about pitchers being injured while batting. The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright blowing his Achilles' tendon while running to first base last week is terrible for St. Louis, but pitchers get hurt tripping over their pets, too.

The problem is interleague play.

There was initially enjoyment in watching the other side play with different rules. It was new, intriguing and entertaining (although the Twins weren't saying these things when Eric Milton wrecked his knee running to first base at Shea Stadium in 2002). Attendance for interleague games not involving the Houston Astros have shown that the games are a hit.

There was enjoyment in watching crosstown rivals in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles face each other. Target Field and Miller Park have been packed for Twins-Brewers games. And I'm glad the interleague rivalry games have been moved back to weekends instead of that ridiculous pair of two-game series in the middle of the week.

Yet the intrigue has worn off, and adjusting to the other league's rules now seems to be more of an annoyance. What's very troubling is that the year-round interleague games we've had in recent years means interleague games in September, and AL teams should not have to adjust the way they normally play because they are in an NL park during a pennant race.

An impromptu survey on Twitter had the "long overdue" crowd neck and neck with the "I'm a baseball purist" crowd. And writers across the country are falling on both sides of the issue as well.

This is just one baseball fan's opinion: It's time for the two leagues to play under the same rules. It's no longer a mystery to watch Phil Hughes bat or see how a Twins manager handles the double switch. Put the DH in both leagues.

Central Intelligence

As if any more proof was needed that White Sox slugger Jose Abreu is a force: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Abreu is the fourth player ever to hit at least .300 with 40 or more homers and at least 120 RBI in their first 162 career games.

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The others: Chuck Klein, Rudy York and Ryan Braun. Abreu batted .316 with 41 homers and 121 RBI over his first 162 games.

• • •

Cleveland was picked by some to win the division but entered Saturday with the second-worst record in the AL. And the Indians have earned the record with lousy defense and a leaky bullpen. Cleveland on Monday even had a team meeting, rare for April. "Obviously we haven't gotten off to a great start, and to see Detroit and Kansas City with seven guys hitting over .350, that makes it even more frustrating," second baseman Jason Kipnis said. "But we know how long the season is and we know we'll get rolling eventually."

• • •

Detroit closer Joe Nathan, 40, still vows to come back and pitch following his second Tommy John elbow surgery Wednesday.

(Gene J. Puskar — ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

n the meantime, he plans to maintain a presence in the clubhouse as an unofficial coach and mentor to other pitchers. "I talked to him about it," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I think he'd be helpful to some of our guys and I think he's going to be around from time to time working." Nathan has had both reconstructive shoulder and elbow surgeries in his career.

• • •

Greg Holland could return as the Royals closer next week.

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

He has nearly recovered from a pectoral strain. But Kansas City has not missed him thanks to Wade Davis, who entering Saturday had converted his first four five chances since taking over for Holland. He had a 0.500 WHIP and had held batters to a .118 average (4-for-34), with two of those hits coming Friday. Local fans and media voted Davis the Royals pitcher of the month for April.

The 3-2 pitch

Three observations ...

• The pace of play adjustments have led to shorter games, so it makes sense for MLB to suspend plans to fine players for slow play unless there are excessive violations.

• Since hitters are more likely to beat shifts on the first pitch with a bunt or slap hit, the Twins aren't shifting until after the first pitch. Sneaky, and smart.

• Let's hope that a return to Texas helps Josh Hamilton beat his demons and salvage his career, once again.

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

… and two predictions

• The Dodgers will trade for a starting pitcher by the end of the month.

• The Twins will go 13-14 in May.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner watches after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: NYOTK (The Minnesota Star Tribune)