The DH as we have known it for 40 years needs a makeover. An earlier poster referenced Bill James' analysis of baseball purists wanting to keep the "strategies" in the game, but aptly pointing out how it mostly preserves predictable and boring non-strategy. How about reconsidering the DH in terms of adding strategies instead of adding offense as was the case in '73?
Get rid of the "professional DH" by reconsidering the DH as a "designated pinch hitter" for the pitcher's batting slot only, but adding 2 components:
1) Once the DPH hits for the pitcher, he (the DPH) is no longer eligible unless he goes into the game at a position and the new pitcher is slotted into the batting position of the player who is being replaced by the DPH - nothing more than the double switch that purists love.
2) Reserve to the judgement of the manager, whether a DPH is used every time the pitcher's slot comes around.
The result is that the game situation would drive and dictate the strategy of whether to use a player off the bench - thus losing him for the rest of the game unless it is a double switch - so the manager may elect to allow the pitcher to bat with 2-out and the bases empty to preserve his bench's potential for a more critical spot or he could bring in a real hitter with 2-out and the bases juiced in the 6th inning of a 1-1 tie without losing his pitcher. The manager, and by extension, the fans are constantly evaluating each at bat situation for the pitcher - use a hitter and lose him most of the time or stick with the pitcher who could also bunt men over efficiently rather than burning the bench for a low priority situational strategy. Another example would be pitcher leading off in a close game - later innings, but the pitcher is still effective; bring in a DPH who is a swift, OBP type guy to get an inning started BUT keep your pitcher or bring in a big thumper DPH to get someone in scoring position BUT keep the pitcher.
The strategy scenarios would multiply, not decrease - and from a purist standpoint it would not create one-dimensional DH's getting 500 at bats, but more use of benches which would need more multi-dimensional players, while valuing pitchers who had enough skill to bunt rather than watching them strike out.
Just my thoughts
