MLB designated hitter statistics

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.

Related Topics:
Major League Baseball - Designated hitter - Batting lineup - Pitcher - American League - 1973 - National League

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When games are played between AL and NL teams, such as during the World Series or in interleague play (including the All-Star Game), the DH rule is recognized by both teams only when a NL team plays in an AL ballpark.

Related Topics:
World Series - Interleague play - All-Star Game

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Edgar Martinez is the only DH in MLB history who has won the batting title in a regular season in which his primary position was DH.

Related Topics:
Edgar Martinez - Batting title

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No player in MLB history has won the MVP Award during a season in which their primary position was designated hitter.

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Only three players have won the MVP Award in years they played a significant amount of games as a DH. The first was Boston Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice, who in 1978 played as a DH in 49 of his 163 games (including the one-game playoff against the Yankees). In 1979, California Angels outfielder Don Baylor played 65 of his 162 games as a DH, and in 1996, Texas Rangers outfielder Juan González played 32 of his 134 games as a DH.

Related Topics:
Boston Red Sox - Jim Rice - 1978 - Yankees - 1979 - California Angels - Don Baylor - 1996 - Texas Rangers - Juan González

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