I just finished reading this article about Gary Sheffield’s unhappiness as the Designated Hitter for the Detroit Tigers. In the article, Sheffield is quoted as saying:
I can be in the outfield and play every day. I don’t want to DH, I don’t feel like a baseball player when I DH. I don’t know how to be the leader that I am from the bench. I can’t be a vocal leader. I can’t talk to guys from the bench because I don’t feel right about it. I’m in a role now where I don’t know what to do, really. The guys are out there busting their butt for nine innings, they come in and they hit and they grind. I just sit down and hit. That’s all I do, so I can’t be in a leadership role from that position.
I’ve never really thought about what it would be like to play DH day in and day out. Mr. Sheffield makes it sound pretty lame. My recent perspective on the DH comes from the National League, where it allows every day players (like Pujols) to get an occasional day off the field during Interleague Play. Before Interleague Play I thought of the DH solely as a retirement plan for players who could still put the bat on the ball, but were no longer healthy enough to field their position.
Sheffield makes a good point. As a veteran of 21 major league seasons, he should be a leader on his club and I’m sure that, to whatever extent possible, he is. But, how difficult would it be to motivate players on the field when you’re sitting on the bench nursing your favorite sports beverage and polishing your bat for your next plate appearance? Chalk one up for the National League.