SABR Research Collection highlights 50th anniversary of the designated hitter in MLB
APRIL 5, 2023 — In 1973, the American League received permission to use a “designated pinch hitter” to bat in place of pitchers during league games. Framed as a three-year “experimental rule,” the designated hitter spread to the World Series in 1976, the All-Star Game in 1989, interleague play in 1997, and games between National League teams in 2020. By the 2022 season, the designated hitter was universal in the major leagues.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first regular-season major-league games involving designated hitters on April 6, 1973, the SABR Research Collection remembers the AL’s first season with the DH.
The Games Project provides articles on several noteworthy games from the DH’s debut season. On Opening Day in Boston, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first major-leaguer to bat as a DH. Injury-plagued sluggers rejuvenated their Hall of Fame-bound careers with walk-off homers (Orlando Cepeda) and three home-run games (Tony Oliva). The DH gave one of the game’s top hitters (Dick Allen) the chance to stay in the lineup when injured; a beloved veteran (Gates Brown) after years in a pinch-hitting role got to play every day.
As the season progressed, the rule created challenges for managers. As September opened, lineup changes led to a relief pitcher batting – and recording the season’s first hit by an AL pitcher. In another game, a reliever batted twice during an extra-inning loss after his manager lost the DH. With an eye toward the postseason, a manager played his regular DH (Tommy Davis) at first base and an outstanding rookie outfielder (Al Bumbry) hit three triples in his place.
The BioProject contains comprehensive biographies of the key figures in the DH’s first season, including the American League president who oversaw the rule’s implementation (Joe Cronin), the first player who batted as a DH (Ron Blomberg), the aging sluggers who thrived in their new roles (Frank Robinson, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Oliva), the younger players whose DH work led to successful careers (Oscar Gamble, Hal McRae), and the AL pitcher who — with the DH rule removed for the World Series — doubled to start the decisive rally in Game Seven (Ken Holtzman).
For a broader perspective on the DH, members can read Harry Agens’ 1982 Baseball Research Journal article on the first 10 years with the DH and John Cronin’s 2016 BRJ survey of the DH rule’s historical evolution.
Originally published: April 5, 2023. Last Updated: April 3, 2023.