St. Louis Cardinals fans have heard the tired old arguments for bringing the designated hitter to the National League: It will increase offense, eliminate the automatic out that occurs when most pitchers bat, and ensure a roster spot for a good-hitting, fielding-challenged ballplayer.
The drawback of a National League DH? From the Cardinals standpoint, it would mean no more extra-base hits by Adam Wainwright, no more furious, fall-down swings by Carlos Martinez, and no more shock-the-world singles by .077-hitting Dakota Hudson.
Former Reds and Nationals general manager Jim Bowden has reported that there is a “growing belief” that the DH could be installed in the National League as soon as 2021.