MLBPA's Tony Clark: Universal DH Idea Gaining Momentum, Players Discussing
While speaking to members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday, MLB Players Association chief Tony Clark said that the universal use of the designated hitter across leagues is "gaining momentum" among players.
"Players are talking about it more than they have in the past," Clark said, via MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
For quite some time, the National League has contained a large following advocating for pitchers to hit. Although many American League fans prefer the excitement and additional hitting of the designated hitter, the classic feel of NL lineups appeal to others.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred believes changes will be difficult to implement and will take time.
Clark also spoke about last year's slow free agent market.
“What the players saw last offseason was that their free-agent rights were under attack on what has been the bedrock of our system,” Clark said.
He added that they “have some very difficult decisions to make.”
During the All-Star break, Astros ace Justin Verlander voiced his opinion and believes MLB should get rid of the DH.
“I would take the DH out, even though I know the National League is talking about implementing the designated hitter,’’ Verlander said, according to USA Today. “For my pitching purposes, it’s fun to face guys like me who can’t hit. But I do think, for instance when we were in the World Series, the Houston Astros are playing the Dodgers, when we are at Dodger Stadium, we were a little behind. We were not used to hitting, bunting and things like that."
