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Of course myself and the rest of Seattle all love Edgar Martinez but I think the NL rules make more sence.  Pitchers hit and no DH's.
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Actually it's more like "pitchers bunt" and "walk the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher" ;)

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Actually it's more like "pitchers bunt" and "walk the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher" ;)
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You got that right.

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The counter-argument, of course, it that with 9 hitters in the lineup a manager's strategic options are the more complicated because of it.  I mean, let's face it; when the pitcher comes up to bat with a man on, 90% of the time he's bunting.  Or he's being pinch hit for.
And a manager has to have a finer feel for his pitcher.  In the  NL when it gets to the late innings of a close game, you pinch-hit for the pitcher...

DH's make the game more complicated, not less.
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Your argument makes sense, but methinks the NL game still has a lot more of the "little things" than the AL game.

I'd also argue that the 10% of the time that a pitcher actually hits (if your numbers are correct) rather than bunts, the results are very entertaining.  You'll either see him flail (hehehe) or be impressed that he actually gets the ball out of the infield.

And in the case of pitchers like Mike Hampton and John Smoltz, those guys hit for power and average, respectively, and if you let them bat on a day-by-day basis they'd probably do a lot better than some DH's.  Exceptions to the rule, I know, but I like to see it ;)

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I think it's a weird rule too. However, it it weren't for that rule my friend wouldn't have played for the Rangers or the Brewers as he was a DH!
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I'm sure he could field at some point ;)  
Oooh, my pi*100th post!  :D

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I'm sure he could field at some point ;)  
Oooh, my pi*100th post!  :D
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Yeah, he's a pretty mean left-fielder.....

Seriously though. I think the DH rule is weird. We never had it growing up and playing minor ball. I agree that the players should be rounded in all aspects of the game...crap, they make enough money!!

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Good thing you're a Cubs fan, Dagwood, cause the White Sox sure stink  ;D  (The vaunted and 'much improved' White Sox start the season 0-2 against the mighty mighty Kansas City Royals!)
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Amen to that.  We are 2-1...but still waiting for Sammy to hit a home run....#500 is being elusive.

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I would like to give you all an 'outsider's' opinion on this.

Coming from a non-baseballing country, but having seen enough of the game to like it, I reckon if the pitcher has to bat it adds a little bit of extra interest to it.

Down with the DH I say !

FB the opinionated-from-afar!  ;D
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Hear hear 8)

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I don't especially care for the DH rule. Beyond the obvious that I think it keeps pitchers from having to be complete players, there is this little problem too. Remember a couple of years ago when Roger Clemens threw part of a broken bat at Mike Piazza? Roger claims that he thought it was the ball  ::) but I wonder if players like Clemens would be so eager to be as aggressive as they sometimes are if they had to face opposing pitchers at the plate. It's one thing to pitch a guy high and tight if you don't have to face the music, but another thing altogether if you have to take a turn in the box.
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Hey Lester !  This intrigues me !  Two thoughts come to mind.

(1) In situations where someone like Clemens throws part of a broken bat at Piazza, Piazza then reserves the right under FB's DH rule Nbr 1 Sub-clause Aus that he may stick the remainder of the bat where the sun don't shine....

(2) In Cricket, (some of you will be vaguely aware of this game  ;D) everyone gets a turn batting, but not everyone necessarily has to bowl (your equivalent of pitch).  Therefore you get situations where fast bowlers bowl to an opposing fast bowler who is batting.

Unwritten rule : If as a bowler you chuck in some nasty ones to your opponent, then watch out when it's your turn to bat !

So :  Bring it on Roger and Mike  :P :P :P

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In situations where someone like Clemens throws part of a broken bat at Piazza, Piazza then reserves the right under FB's DH rule Nbr 1 Sub-clause Aus that he may stick the remainder of the bat where the sun don't shine....
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Actually, usually what happens is, if the batter charges the mound, the catcher can either stop him, or if not, then both benches empty and you have an all out brawl for a few minutes.  Pretty funny stuff :)

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I don't know who the opposing pitcher was, but when Juan Marichal got beaned, he took the bat to that pitcher.  It was pretty sick.
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That was Dodgers great Johnny Roseboro.

http://www.neilleifer.com/art/team/baseball/b89.jpg