The designated hitter rule had consequences in relationship to pitchers who actually knew what to do with a bat. Recently Rick Porcello managed a three-run double that immediately sent me on a mission to buy a lottery ticket and to watch a squadron of pigs fly. A rare sign of hitting ability or mysteriously having the bat locate the ball while eyes are closed.
Baseball pitchers have lost the art of hitting, but in reality, only a few had a talent with the club that would get them above the Mendoza Line. A few have surfaced this year, especially Shohei Ohtani.