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MLB designated hitter statistics
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In Major League Baseball, the designated hitter (DH) is used in the batting lineup in place of the pitcher through a rule adopted by the American League in 1973. The DH rule has never been adopted by the National League. When games are played between AL and NL teams, such as during the World Series or in interleague play the DH rule is recognized by both teams when an NL team plays in an AL ballpark. Facts * Ron Blomberg became the first DH in major league history (April 6, 1973). This was the opening day of the 1973 baseball season, and 4 AL games were being played. Blomberg was therefore the first of the 8 DHs playing that day to have an at bat, recording a walk in the top of the 1st inning. This was in Fenway Park. * Tony Oliva became the first DH to hit a home run (April 6, 1973). Oliva hit a home run in his first at bat in the bottom of the 1st inning. * Dan Driessen became the first National League DH, and the first to hit a home run in a World Series (Games 1 and 3, 1976) * Glenallen Hill became the first non-Series DH in NL history (interleague play, 1997) * Rickey Henderson became the first non-Series DH to hit a home run in NL history (interleague play, 1997) * Pedro Guerrero became the first National League DH in an All-Star game (1989) * Minnie Miñoso is the oldest player to have appeared as a DH (at age 53, 1976) Frank Thomas is the active leader, having been the designated hitter in 1,242 regular-season games through the 2007 season. *On June 25, 2010, Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies was DH at a National League ballpark during the regular season. Major League Baseball moved the Phillies' series against the Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre to Philadelphia, citing security concerns for the G-20 Summit. The game was officially counted as a "home" game for the Blue Jays. DH firsts by team and date-American League== *Baltimore Orioles: Terry Crowley, April 6, 1973 *Boston Red Sox: Orlando Cepeda, April 6, 1973 *California Angels: Tommy McCraw, April 6, 1973 *Chicago White Sox: Mike Andrews, April 7, 1973 *Cleveland Indians: John Ellis, April 7, 1973 *Detroit Tigers: Gates Brown, April 7, 1973 *Kansas City Royals: Ed Kirkpatrick, April 6, 1973 *Minnesota Twins: Tony Oliva, April 6, 1973 *New York Yankees: Ron Blomberg, April 6, 1973 *Oakland Athletics: Billy North, April 6, 1973 *Seattle Mariners: Dave Collins, April 7, 1977 *Texas Rangers: Rico Carty, April 7, 1973 *Tampa Bay Rays: Paul Sorrento, March 31, 1998 *Toronto Blue Jays: Otto Vélez, April 7, 1977 DH firsts by team and date-National League== *Atlanta Braves: Keith Lockhart, June 16, 1997 *Arizona Diamondbacks: Kelly Stinnett, June 5, 1998 *Chicago Cubs: Dave Clark, June 16, 1997 *Cincinnati Reds: Eddie Taubensee, June 16, 1997 *Colorado Rockies: Dante Bichette, June 12, 1997 *Florida Marlins: Jim Eisenreich, June 16, 1997 *Houston Astros: Sean Berry, June 16, 1997 *Los Angeles Dodgers: Mike Piazza, June 12, 1997 *Milwaukee Brewers: Ollie Brown, April 6, 1973 ** *Montreal Expos: Jose Vidro, June 16, 1997 *New York Mets: Butch Huskey, June 16, 1997 *Philadelphia Phillies: Darren Daulton, June 16, 1997 *Pittsburgh Pirates: Mark Smith, June 16, 1997 *St. Louis Cardinals: Dmitri Young, June 16, 1997 *San Diego Padres: Rickey Henderson, June 12, 1997 *San Francisco Giants: Glenallen Hill, June 12, 1997 ** Milwaukee was an American League team at the institution of the DH rule, but became a National League team before the 1998 season Current primary DH by team *Baltimore Orioles: Vladimir Guerrero *Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz *Chicago White Sox: Adam Dunn *Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner *Detroit Tigers: Magglio Ordóñez *Kansas City Royals: Billy Butler *Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Bobby Abreu *Minnesota Twins: Jim Thome *New York Yankees: Jorge Posada *Oakland Athletics: Hideki Matsui *Seattle Mariners: Jack Cust *Tampa Bay Rays: Johnny Damon *Texas Rangers: Michael Young *Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion See Also
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