Swengali: Strike Out the DH

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FROM THE RIDICULOUS to the sublime, the debate over the designated hitter is back at baseball’s forefront.

There shouldn't be any argument about it. There's no need for a player who can't play the field, just as there's no cause for a pitcher to be completely hapless at the plate.

Let's start with the preposterous case of Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang, who, incredibly, managed to land on the disabled list because running the bases seemed too difficult.

After Wang sprained his right foot, Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner blamed the entire National League — in which the DH mercifully doesn't exist — and called for the senior circuit to join the American League in using designated hitters.

As a counter-argument of sorts, Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia homered last Sunday against the Dodgers, and, more impressively, Seattle's Felix Hernandez blasted a grand slam off the Mets' Johan Santana Tuesday night.

Choosing between an uncoordinated runner and a big-swinging fireballer isn't exactly as hard as picking between prime rib and filet mignon at The Palm.

Some good has come out of the DH. Paul Molitor's career was extended long enough for him to reach the Hall of Fame, and Harold Baines also made a nice living long after his knees gave out.

But let's get real. Pitchers should be real players. There's no reason the No. 9 spot in the lineup has to be an automatic out.

Steinbrenner is right: The leagues need to play by the same rules. Just have the throwers take some batting practice and the game will be better off for it.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images