Keith Crane

The Truth About the Designated Hitter Keith Crane

This book is an in-depth analysis of the effect of the designated hitter (dh) on Major League Baseball. This book shows that there is not nearly as much difference between the American League(AL) and National League(NL) as most people think. The dh has not made the AL slower nor less reluctant to use strategy. Over the past 8 years (2009-2016), the AL has averaged more stolen bases per team per year (98 to 94), and the rate at which base runners took an extra base on a single or double has been the same in each league: 40%. Sacrifice bunts by the #1-8 slots of the batting order in 2016 was very close: AL 14.8, NL 16.4 per team. The NL gets more bunts at the #9 slot in the order due to the pitcher bunting more, but it amounts to only 1 extra sacrifice bunt every 8 games. This book will show how truly ineffective those extra bunts are. People have the false impression that the NL managers have to use their bullpen more than the AL. But in 2016, teams in both leagues averaged only 3 complete games per year, removed the starting pitcher after an average of 5 2/3 innings, and used an average of 3 relief pitchers per game. I believe the dh improves the game because of the fact that NL pitchers have had a batting average of only .135 over the last 8 years. The book explains how getting that .135 hitter out of the lineup increases strategy, action, and drama that counteracts the minor losses of strategy associated with having the pitcher bat. It also covers many other issues surrounding the designated hitter, such as the principles involved. I think anyone interested in the dh debate should learn the facts in this book in order to reach an informed decision on the issue.