The universal DH may be inevitable, but that does not mean everyone is a fan. In fact, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt wants the American League to play by National League rules instead.
Amongst the various hot button topics that come up around baseball fandom, few seem to generate the vitriol that the designated hitter does. Fans either love or hate the position, with heated arguments on both sides. Those debates have become even more relevant with the idea that the designated hitter could become a universal position in the somewhat near future.
Yet, not everyone in the game likes that idea. Count St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt as one of those who not only prefers the National League style of having pitchers hit, but wants to eliminate the DH.
Mike Shildt on whether he’s looking forward to the universal DH: “I’m looking forward to the American League adopting the National League rules. That would be so fun. I’m going to start a petition for that...Just a better game — plus our pitchers can hit.” pic.twitter.com/8IqODjwGoh
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 4, 2019
It is somewhat debatable as to whether or not Shildt was actually watching Cardinals pitchers attempt to put the bat on the ball last season based on that statement. They produced a .148/.167/.232 batting line last year, which would hardly be anyone’s estimate of being a productive hitter.
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However, there is something to Shildt’s statement. Cardinals pitchers had six home runs last year, the most of any team in the league. Also, the Cardinals pitchers posted a .400 OPS, the best mark in the NL.
There were some decent performances with the lumber by Cardinals pitching. Miles Mikolas and John Gant each hit two home runs last year; for Gant, those were his only two hits of the year. Carlos Martinez had a respectable .242/.235/.394 batting line with a homer and two doubles over his 36 plate appearances. So, some pitchers on the Cardinals did hit a little.
But is that enough for Shildt to say that the Cardinals pitchers can hit? It is not as though they have Madison Bumgarner, Michael Lorenzen, or the second coming of Rick Rhoden on the roster. They have a couple of pitchers that can hit at a decent clip…for a pitcher.
The universal designated hitter is likely coming to baseball eventually. Yes, the St. Louis Cardinals have a couple of pitchers that can hit, but manager Mike Shildt is overstating their ability.