Posted on Jan 11, 2026
American League adopts designated hitter rule | January 11, 1973 | HISTORY
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On January 11, 1973, the owners of America’s 24 major league baseball teams vote to allow teams in the American League to use a “designated pinch-hitter” who could bat for the pitcher while still allowing the pitcher to stay in the game.
The idea of adding a player to the baseball lineup to bat for the pitcher had been suggested as early as 1906 by revered manager Connie Mack. In 1928, John Heydler, president of the National League, revived the issue, but the rule was rejected by the AL management.
The idea of adding a player to the baseball lineup to bat for the pitcher had been suggested as early as 1906 by revered manager Connie Mack. In 1928, John Heydler, president of the National League, revived the issue, but the rule was rejected by the AL management.
American League adopts designated hitter rule | January 11, 1973 | HISTORY
Posted from history.com
Sports
American History
Posted 17 d ago
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Maj Robert Thornton
There were a few throughout the years that could hit. Overall, I think this was the correct thing to do.
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There have been some really good hitting pitchers in MLB history. Ohtani and Ruth are prime examples. There are others that hit well in terms of average. Some of them are: Wes Ferrell (.280), Carlos Zambrano (.238), Mike Hampton (.246), Zack Greinke (222), Ken Brett (.262), Don Larson (.242), Don Robinson (.231) and more. Today, we are much less likely to know who are good hitting pitchers unless they are like Ohtani and Ruth
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