D-backs’ Torey Lovullo finds no DH in NL more strategic, interesting
Jul 22, 2018, 11:53 AM
Home plate umpire Chad Whitson, left, confers with Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo in the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
PHOENIX — Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark discussed various league-wide topics with the media during the All-Star break.
On Tuesday, a universal designated hitter was one of the debates brought up. Clark, the former Arizona Diamondback, said the idea has more buzz than it has in the past.
“It’s gaining momentum, I’ll offer you that,” players’ union head Tony Clark told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Tuesday. “Players are talking more about it now than they have in the past.”
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo gave his side of the debate and is in favor of the National League staying the way it is.
“I’m a big fan of the National League-style of baseball where the pitcher is hitting,” he said. “There’s no hired guns to just go out and smash the ball.
“I know the reasons why the DH is here. It’s to add some offense, and some punch and excitement to a lineup but I think there’s tremendous strategy with the National League and the pitcher hitting.”
Lovullo noted how teams in the NL are forced to rotate their lineups more and have flexible rosters. That can be seen on his own roster, where players like Chris Owings, Daniel Descalso and Deven Marrero have rotated around the lineup to keep everyone fresh.
That wrinkle is what interests Lovullo the most.
“The National League guys are constantly rotating,” he said, whereas some players in the AL in Marrero’s spot on the roster won’t play for over a week.
“I just feel like it’s a much more interesting and strategic brand of baseball,” Lovullo said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
