Many
greats have been DH's at one point like Frank Thomas, Gary
Sheffield, Eddie Murray, Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez and even Bo
Jackson. All of the aforementioned vastly talented players all knew
how to swing a Louisville slugger but as of today no Major League
Baseball player in the entire history has more hits from the
designated hitter position than Redsox slugger David “Big Papi”
Ortiz. The Redsox star passed Harold Baines by hitting a double in
the 2nd inning vs the Mariners on Wendsday
afternoon to
ultimately collect his 1,689th hit and pass Baines for #1 on the DH
all time hits list.
In
1973 the game of baseball and the way it was played changed forever
when the Designated hitter rule was introduced in 1973. The rule clearly
states that as the DH a player does not play the field or any type of
defense on the diamond but rather just go up to hit a baseball and
that’s it. The rule is used in the American League and the purpose
it serves is basically to add an extra hitter to the bunch as opposed
to the National League format of 8 position players who hit along
with the pitcher.
Papi
has had a storied career in Boston and a ton of big hits since he
arrived. For the better part of his career he has spent his time just
DHing and has done a great job over the years. When its all said and
done he might go down as the greatest designated hitter to have ever
played in the MLB......Congrats Papi!!!!
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