What is a Designated Hitter?

 

The Short Answer: A designated hitter (DH) in baseball is a player who bats in place of the pitcher for the entirety of the game. Unlike a defensive player who both hits and fields, the designated hitter's sole responsibility is to step into the batter's box, read the strike zone, and drive the ball.

For years, the role belonged to the American League alone, while National League pitchers took their own plate appearances like any other position player. That changed in the 2020 regular season, when Major League Baseball implemented the universal DH rule as a health and safety measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the collective bargaining agreement made it permanent.

The move sparked a whirlwind of debate that has not settled. Does it protect the integrity of the game, or strip out the strategy that made it worth watching?

The History of The Designated Hitter Rule

Early Beginnings of the Rule

Before the designated hitter became a recognized position, teams already employed a bandaid strategy. Known as a pinch hitter, a stronger bat replaced the pitcher or the weakest spot in the starting lineup at crucial parts of the game. This tactic allowed teams to capitalize on key opportunities late in games, much the way a pinch runner is still used today to steal a base off the opposing team. The pinch hitter is still a bench player who gets one shot at a big at-bat, while the DH takes his cuts all night.

Adoption by the American League

The concept of a full-time designated hitter finally took shape on January 11, 1973, when American League owners voted to adopt the designated hitter rule for a three-year trial. That April, Ron Blomberg of the Yankees drew a bases-loaded walk at Fenway Park to become the first DH in MLB history. The league saw this as a viable solution to boost offense, increase fan interest, and eventually increase ticket sales at games. As the designated hitter focused solely on batting, the position elevated the offensive output of teams in the American League and added a whole new dimension of strategic thinking for managers. The change filtered down through minor league affiliates too, giving young sluggers a place to develop their swing without a defensive position to worry about.

Resistance by the National League

Unlike the American League, the National League resisted the temptation to introduce the designated hitter rule for a long time. The traditionalists in the National League saw the rule as a departure from the classic style of baseball, where strategies around a pitcher's plate appearance were an integral part of the sport. This difference in preferences led to a marked disparity in the style of games played in the two leagues.

Evolution and Tweaks to the Rule

Over time, the designated hitter rule saw several changes. Originally introduced in the American League in 1973, the DH remained exclusive to AL games for decades. It later expanded to certain interleague games and World Series matchups played at American League parks. MLB temporarily introduced a universal DH during the 2020 season as part of its health and safety protocols, and the rule became permanent across both leagues in 2022. This marked a major shift in baseball history, bringing the National and American League styles of play closer together.

Here is how the DH position evolved across both leagues:

Designated Hitter Rule Implications & Controversies

Impact on the American League vs the National League

The implementation of the designated hitter rule had a major impact on the dynamics of baseball. As we mentioned in the last section, the National League was very resistant to the rule while the American League viewed it as a genius marketing play. This divide led to a distinct difference in gameplay and managerial strategies across the leagues, and National League teams built rosters around a different kind of defensive player as a result. It was the source of a lot of animosity between the two leagues.

Shift to Pitcher Only

The introduction of the designated hitter led to the development of great pitchers becoming POs, or pitchers only. This tendency began at the professional level and now can be seen as a routine practice down to High School ball. No longer required to bat, pitchers could focus more on honing their pitching skills and rest between innings. This shift had several advantages, including limiting injury risk and therefore prolonging careers. It also thinned out the Babe Ruth-style two-way player. Shohei Ohtani is the obvious counterexample, and he is exactly that, an exception rare enough to prove the point.

The Debate Over the Universal DH Rule

The temporary introduction of the universal DH rule in 2020, made permanent two years later, brought about mixed reactions. Supporters point to the benefits:

• Better offensive play, since a defensive player who cannot hit no longer takes a spot in the batting order.

• A steadier regular season for every position player, with one more real bat in the lineup each night.

• Longer careers for aging sluggers who can still produce at the plate.

• Fewer pitcher injuries from running the bases or swinging the bat.

• A safer experience for pitchers who rarely trained as hitters at an advanced level.

The Case Against the Universal DH

Critics say it removes strategic elements and the purity of the game, citing factors like double switches, pinch hitters, and pitchers contributing to their cause with the bat.

Despite ongoing controversies, the universal DH rule reflects the evolution of the sport as pitchers continue to become more and more dominant. The rule is one of MLB's many attempts to push offensive output back toward the levels that once made baseball the most watched sport in the US.

Famous Designated Hitters

Over the years, the DH spot has been the platform for some of the greatest hitters the game has produced, and four names stand above the rest.

Edgar Martínez

No player defined the DH like Edgar Martínez. He spent all 18 of his seasons with the Seattle Mariners and moved into the role full time in 1995. What he did from that spot changed how the sport viewed the position. Martínez retired with a .312 career batting average, 309 home runs, and 2,247 hits, won two American League batting titles, and made seven All-Star teams.

The Award and the Hall of Fame

MLB renamed its Outstanding Designated Hitter Award the Edgar Martínez Award in 2004, and in 2019 Martínez became the first player whose primary position was designated hitter to reach the Hall of Fame. If anyone settled the argument about whether a DH belongs in Cooperstown, Martínez did.

David Ortiz aka "Big Papi"

Nicknamed "Big Papi," David Ortiz is one of the most celebrated players to bat out of the DH spot in baseball history. With a career spanning 20 years, 14 of which with the Boston Red Sox, Ortiz used his prowess in the batter's box to deliver some of the most memorable home runs. His .286 lifetime batting average, 541 big flys, and his enormous contributions to the Red Sox's World Series victories in 2004, 2007, and 2013 have ensured his place in baseball history.

Nelson Cruz

Another remarkable designated hitter was Nelson Cruz. Through stints with the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Washington Nationals, and four other clubs, Cruz proved what a potent force a designated hitter can be. He retired after the 2023 season with 464 career home runs and a .274 batting average, and his walk-off grand slam in Game 2 of the 2011 ALCS is still the only one of its kind in postseason history.

Kyle Schwarber

The National League has its own answer now. Kyle Schwarber has anchored the DH spot in Philadelphia since 2022, hit 56 home runs in 2025 on the way to a runner-up finish in NL MVP voting, and reached 40 homers again in August 2026. He is proof that the universal rule did not just move a roster spot to the National League, it created a new kind of star there.

Increased Longevity for Great Hitters

Finally, the designated hitter's existence has allowed pure hitters to extend their careers. Players who may have otherwise been forced into retirement due to their defensive limitations or age-related issues have thrived in the position, Albert Pujols among them. That career longevity underlines the undoubtedly strategic value of the role.

Gear Built for Every Trip to the Plate

As we've seen from the careers of designated hitters like Edgar Martínez, David Ortiz, and Nelson Cruz, the role requires exceptional skill and technique at the plate. To stand in the batter's box and deliver results requires not only talent but also trust in your equipment.

At BRUCE BOLT, we understand that baseball is more than just a game. It's a lifestyle, a passion, and a sport where every single run can make all the difference. We are committed to building gear baseball players can count on every time they step to the plate. With a lineup covering batting gloves plus protective gear like sliding mitts, elbow guards, and leg guards, we make sure you're prepared for any pitch thrown your way.

Take a look at our batting gloves and protective gear before your next trip to the plate.