Let's just pick one a stick with it for frickin' heck's sake

Well, with all this crazy interleague action going on, the DH question rises from the murky waters like Martin Sheen. Surprise, surprise, Hank Steinbrenner, ever the silent, throws in his two gagillian cents. His poor little Wang got hurt (sorry, that might have been a bit too easy). I wonder if Hanky Panky cares about what he says or if he only cares that he is heard--that mouth of his often has his foot in it.

Anyways... DH. I think we can all agree that no matter what, both leagues should have the same rules. This DH/no DH dealie has messed with a lot of World Series and a lot of interleague games. There should either be a DH or there should not be a DH. Both are better than this split crap, right?

Both sides have their merit (as always). Let's do it the Native American way and go by seniority. Since the NL is the senior circuit, perhaps they should have priority. Having the pitcher hit seems to be the most true to the game option. If the pitcher is a real baseball player, like the other eight chaps out there, he should be hitting. Likewise, if that overweight DH calls himself a baseball player, he should be out there fielding. Gold Glover Rafael Palmeiro did it. The argument makes perfect sense. If you are going to play baseball, you should play it in its entirety. The problem is...

...however, that despite being called America's past-time, football and basketball generally get more viewers. Football isn't even close. Last year's Super Bowl had almost ten times as many viewers as the World Series (averaged). Now, I know revenue has been increasing steadily over the years, but TV ratings are actually going down. That means lots of people are buying funky fresh New Era hats and going to games, but people still aren't interested in watching baseball.

The DH increases TV ratings. I base that not on any sort of tangible statistics, but only on my own logic. Flimsy? Yes. But doesn't it make sense? Wouldn't the casual fan much rather watch David Ortiz bat than Byung-hyun Kim? Question? ?

Yes, I think pitchers should hit. But I also think that baseball should increase its fan base. Baseball is notoriously boring (if you don't get it). No DH just makes it not no more boringer. The DH also makes team-building and the formation of lineups more interesting. On the other hand, it makes it so there is less strategy. Poor Tony La Russa won't be able to make all of those crazy, useless lineup switches and pitching changes. Tear. It's not like a DH every stopped Ozzie Guillen from overloading his players with stolen bases, hit and runs, bunts and anything that qualifies as his so-called "smart" ball; or more accurately "idiot" ball.

I'm sure plenty of people disagree with me. Everybody playing the game in its entirety may be more important than TV ratings. I guess that's opinion. I think everyone should play all aspects of the game, but at the same time, I, and most viewers, would rather see some unathletic, fat dude hit a 450-foot homer than watch a pitcher fall over trying to swing at a breaking ball. Plus, there are people that absolutely do not belong in the field--Jose Canseco, Jack Cust, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, etc.

For the love of John Elway, let's at least get on the same page, though. DH or no DH, pick one for both leagues and stick with it.