In baseball, a cleanup hitter is the fourth hitter in the batting order . The cleanup hitter is traditionally the team's most powerful hitter. His job is to "clean up the bases", that is, drive in base runners .
126-621: Frank Edward Thomas Jr. (born May 27, 1968), nicknamed " the Big Hurt ," is an American former professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for three American League (AL) teams from 1990 to 2008, all but the last three years with the Chicago White Sox . A five-time All-Star , he is the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons (1991–1997) with at least
252-457: A pinball machine (marketed under the Gottlieb trade name) titled Frank Thomas' Big Hurt ; Thomas made an appearance in the documentary The History of Pinball in which he discusses the similarities between playing baseball and pinball. Frank Thomas' Big Hurt was later added to pinball video game The Pinball Arcade in late July 2016. In 2007, he appeared in a promotional advertisement for
378-430: A pitcher Silver Slugger Award . In 2020, and since 2022, both American and National Leagues began awarding Silver Slugger Awards for designated hitters, the latter replacing the award given to pitchers. The first National League DH Silver Slugger Award was given to Marcell Ozuna in 2020. In 2018, J. D. Martinez became the first and to date only player to win two Silver Slugger Awards in the same season, winning as both
504-501: A .300 batting average , 100 runs batted in (RBI), 100 runs scored , 100 walks , and 20 home runs . Thomas also won the AL batting title in 1997 with a .347 mark. Thomas is a two-time AL MVP and won a World Series in 2005 although he was injured during the regular season and World Series. Thomas is widely considered one of the greatest right handed hitters in MLB history. Drafted seventh overall by
630-432: A .300 average and at least 100 walks, 100 runs, 100 runs batted in, and 20 home runs (1991–1997). The only other player to have more than five consecutive seasons accomplishing this feat was Ted Williams , with six. This accomplishment is even more remarkable considering that Thomas played only 113 games in the strike-shortened 1994 season. There are only six other players in history who have both hit more home runs and have
756-501: A DH may bat in place of one player in any position, not just a pitcher. Many coaches use a designated hitter in place of the weakest hitter in the lineup, if they use one at all. In amateur baseball, many pitchers are also good hitters and will often play another position (or even DH) when not pitching. In 2020, NFHS rules were modified to also add a "Player/DH" rule where a player may start the game with offensive and defensive roles, and be substituted out only on defense while remaining in
882-469: A DH, which would reduce wear on his body but might cost some offensive production. By the late 1990s, minor injuries were tending to keep him unavailable for short periods, and 1997 was the last year in which he played more in the field than as a DH. Thomas rebounded with force in 2000 when he hit .328 with a career-high 43 homers and 143 RBI. Thomas finished second in MVP voting that season, behind Jason Giambi of
1008-525: A designated hitter and a left fielder . There has been ongoing debate on the merits of the designated hitter rule. As noted before , the original rationale was to replace pitchers in the batting order because they were generally considered weak hitters, and usually batted ninth or pinch-hit for late in games when their team was trailing. Critics have argued that use of the designated hitter causes asymmetry by separating players into offensive and defensive specialties akin to American football . They believe
1134-592: A designated hitter. Hideki Matsui (2009), David Ortiz (2013), and Jorge Soler (2021) were the only other designated hitters to win World Series MVP. Soler was also the only DH to win the award while a member of a National League team, having played for the Atlanta Braves in their World Series-winning season. In games played on National League parks, Ortiz and Molitor played at first base, while Soler played in right field in their World Series MVP seasons. On
1260-465: A free agent. After not playing in the 2009 season, Thomas signed a one-day contract with the White Sox on February 12, 2010, and announced his retirement. During the same press conference, the White Sox, for whom he played the first 16 seasons of his career, announced that they would retire his No. 35 on August 29. Thomas is the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons of
1386-464: A handful of other striking players appeared as themselves in the November 27, 1994, episode of Married With Children (Season 9, Episode 11). In 1995, a baseball video game titled Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball was developed by Acclaim Entertainment and released for various platforms, with All-Star Baseball '97 Featuring Frank Thomas following in 1997. Also in 1995, Premier Technologies created
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#17328765158781512-643: A handful of players compiled over 400 at-bats as a DH each year. The Astros moved to the American League in 2013, giving each league 15 teams and requiring interleague play throughout the entire season. There was debate within MLB to unify the rules of the two leagues, with either the American League returning to its pre-1973 rules and having the pitcher hit or the National League adopting the DH. In January 2016, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that consideration
1638-443: A higher career batting average than Thomas: Ted Williams , Hank Aaron , Jimmie Foxx , Babe Ruth , Manny Ramirez , and Willie Mays . Early in his career, Thomas, by his own admission, used greenies to deal with the difficulties of traveling. Thomas implied that he stopped using them after the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the league regulated teams' travel schedules. However, as early as 1995 , Thomas
1764-583: A new collective bargaining agreement with the MLBPA on March 10, 2022, after which both leagues have continuously employed the designated hitter. The Baseball Writers' Association of America presents an annual award to the outstanding designated hitter of the season, called the Edgar Martínez Award . Renamed for the former Seattle Mariners DH after his retirement in 2004, the Outstanding DH Award
1890-505: A place in the major leagues. Prior to the introduction of the universal DH, interleague play added a new wrinkle to the controversy, as the AL team always had the advantage. The NL team had to put a bench player into the lineup when the game was played in AL parks. Even though the AL team had to play without their DH in NL parks, that left them with a starting player available to pinch-hit and/or come in as
2016-518: A player fits into the rest of the lineup which determines the run-scoring potential of the cleanup spot. The designated hitter (DH) is a batter that hits for the pitcher and never plays defense. The DH is important because the DH is usually one of the better hitters. It is a trend that the DH is either in the third, fourth, or fifth spot in the lineup. The DH was adopted by the American League of North American Major League Baseball in 1973 and by
2142-414: A position seen occasionally in other amateur organizations (both youth and adult) - and integrated as the "10th man" of Savannah Bananas exhibition ballgames since 2020 as part of the lineup alongside the DH. Cleanup hitter The thinking behind the use of the cleanup hitter is that at least one of the batters before him will reach base somehow, usually via a walk or a base hit . Traditionally,
2268-451: A powerful right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup for the division-leading Athletics. He had a stretch where he hit a home run in six straight games. On May 22, 2006, Thomas homered twice in his first game against his former team. Before Thomas came up to lead off the second inning, a musical montage played on the Jumbotron at U.S. Cellular Field , paying tribute to Thomas's legacy with
2394-502: A rusted piece of rebar that he reportedly found during a renovation project in Old Comiskey Park . In his first full season, Thomas established himself as a multi-talented hitter, combining power with hitting for average, drawing walks, and driving in runs. In 1991 , Thomas finished third in MVP voting with a .318 batting average, 32 home runs and 109 RBI, as well as 138 walks. He won the first of four Silver Slugger Awards , and led
2520-457: A statue of him at U.S. Cellular Field in 2011. Thomas was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 in his first year of eligibility—the first White Sox star to achieve that distinction. Thomas was one of the few major league stars who never fell under suspicion during the performance-enhancing drugs controversies of the late 1990s. An advocate for drug testing as early as 1995, he was
2646-482: A strike-shortened season, Thomas again put up huge offensive numbers, batting .353 with 38 homers and 101 RBI, and he led the league in runs scored (106), walks (109), and slugging percentage with a whopping .729 mark. Thomas handily won his second consecutive MVP award, taking 24 of 28 first-place votes. He is one of only three first basemen in history to win consecutive MVP awards in the major leagues (Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx, 1932–1933, and Albert Pujols , 2008–2009, are
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#17328765158782772-406: A substitute player later in the game, as opposed to a bench player on the NL team. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig once proposed that the road team's rules should be followed for interleague games in order to combat this home team advantage, but the idea never received traction. The decline of pitcher Chien-Ming Wang due to an interleague game injury has been cited in support of
2898-403: A team removes its starting pitcher it loses the right to use a DH for the rest of the game. The "double hook" rule was modified for the 2022 Atlantic League season. The change allows a team whose starting pitcher who goes at least five innings to keep its DH. In American high schools and other amateur baseball leagues that use National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules,
3024-472: A temporary return to National League pitchers hitting in that year. On April 4, 2021, an American League team voluntarily declined to use a designated hitter in their starting lineup for the first time since 1976, when the Los Angeles Angels placed starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani second in the batting order. This was also the first time since 1903 that a pitcher had been listed as the second hitter in
3150-484: Is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher . Unlike other players in a team's lineup, they generally only play as an offensive player and usually do not play defense as a fielder or a pitcher during a game. Due to their specialized offensive-only role, the designated hitter is generally expected to produce above average offensive stats and production compared to other players who play defense. In Major League Baseball ,
3276-462: Is a player who does not play a position in the field , but instead replaces the pitcher in the batting order . However, a starting pitcher (but not relievers ) may choose to also start as the designated hitter, so that the pitcher bats for himself. The DH may only be used for the pitcher (and not any other position player ), as stated in Rule 5.11. Use of the DH is optional, but must be determined before
3402-472: Is not legal. For example, if the DH is batting fourth and the catcher is batting eighth, the manager cannot replace both players so as to have the new catcher bat fourth and the new DH bat eighth. Once a team loses its DH under any of the scenarios already discussed, the double switch becomes fully available, and may well be used via necessity, should the former DH be replaced in the lineup. In Major League Baseball, during interleague play between 1997 and 2021,
3528-584: Is the worst week of my life," he said during a press conference in Chicago. "First I lose my father, then come back and find out I'm lost for the season." He only played in 20 games that year, batting just .221 with four home runs and 10 RBI. He rebounded from his injury and played in 148 games in 2002, but hit just .252, a career-low for a complete season, and would never again approach a .300 batting average. However, his power and ability to get on base and drive in runs were still in his offensive arsenal, and he finished
3654-416: Is usually the best batter, the hitter with the highest batting average. He has the role of scoring runs himself, but his job comes down to getting on base for the cleanup hitter to have a turn to bat in the same inning. The cleanup hitter coming up to hit—if he has runners on base—has the opportunity to produce runs by getting a base hit or a home run . The third and fourth batters tend to be interchangeable in
3780-599: The 2007 MLB playoffs . Since 2010, Thomas has irregularly appeared on NBC Sports Chicago as a studio analyst during their pre-game and post-game Chicago White Sox broadcasts as well as on other sports talk shows on the channel. He is also a substitute color analyst for the Chicago White Sox NBC Sports Chicago broadcasts and WGN broadcasts (until the channel ceased broadcasting the White Sox in 2020), filling in for Steve Stone on occasion. Designated hitter The designated hitter ( DH )
3906-435: The 2021 All-Star Game , MLB granted an exception to the normal designated hitter rule because Los Angeles Angels ' Shohei Ohtani was selected as both starting designated hitter and starting pitcher. Ohtani started the game as both a pitcher and the DH and was replaced as pitcher after one inning but remained in the game as the DH without the American League having to forfeit the use of a DH. The American League would have lost
Frank Thomas (designated hitter) - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-539: The Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome (which, coincidentally, would also be the site of his 500th career home run). He hit the home run off pitcher Gary Wayne in the top of the ninth inning as his team lost 12–6. Thomas played in 60 games with the White Sox in 1990, batting .330 with seven home runs and 31 runs batted in (RBI). Thomas became known for his menacing home run power; in the on-deck circle, he routinely swung
4158-488: The National League in 2022. In games without a DH, the pitcher hit in the lineup unless another player pinch hit for the pitcher, in which case the pitcher left the game and was replaced for the team's next defensive half-inning. Between 1973 and 2022, when there were interleague games and the National League was the home team, the American League team did not use a DH, and their pitchers took their turn at bat. Below
4284-581: The National League with the Los Angeles Dodgers , won his second consecutive MVP award, the first time the award was given to a player who exclusively played as a DH. Due to Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, Ohtani only played as a DH throughout the 2024 season. During the 1993 season Paul Molitor became the first player to win the World Series Most Valuable Player Award , while playing 137 of 160 games (85.63%) as
4410-556: The Oakland Athletics . Thomas also won the 2000 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award . But this would not mean an end to the rocky path he would follow later in his career. In 2001, after his father died, Thomas also announced during the same week that he would undergo season-ending surgery after an MRI revealed a triceps tear in his right arm. He was distraught from the combined impact of both personal and professional strife. "This
4536-436: The lead off hitter , the number one spot in the batting order, has good foot speed, plate discipline , and a high on-base percentage . The second batter is usually a contact hitter , meaning he is able to consistently make contact with the ball and put it in play to move base runners forward and into scoring position . The first or second batter might bunt his way on base as they both will be speedy runners. The third batter
4662-498: The 1880s, an increased emphasis on improving the specialized skill of pitching contributed to a decline in pitcher batting averages . In 1891, during negotiations surrounding the merger of the American Association and National League , team executives J. Walter Spalding of New York and William Chase Temple of Pittsburgh proposed competing ideas to eliminate the pitcher from the batting order. Temple's proposal "favored
4788-643: The 2000 season. At the time, Thomas was unhappy that his next-to-last deal with the White Sox contained a "diminished skills" clause. He said the White Sox should have traded him after the playoffs that season. "I've got a lot of respect for Jerry Reinsdorf, I do. But I really thought, the relationship we had over the last 16 years, he would have picked up the phone to say, 'Big guy, we're moving forward. We're going somewhere different. We don't know your situation or what's going to happen.' I can live with that, I really can," Thomas said. "But treating me like some passing-by-player. I've got no respect for that." Thomas said he
4914-569: The A's first playoff game on October 3, Thomas hit two solo home runs, leading the A's to a 3–2 win over the Twins. His performance during the opening playoff game earned Thomas the distinction of being the oldest player to hit multiple home runs in a postseason game. He led the A's to an ALDS victory, going 5-for-10 with two home runs in the series. In the 2006 ALCS, he went 0-for-13 in what turned out to be his last postseason appearance. On October 7, 2006, he finished behind Jim Thome , his replacement as
5040-650: The American League Texas Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington in interleague play. At first, the DH rule was not applied to the World Series . From 1973 to 1975, all World Series games were played under National League rules, with no DH and the pitchers required to bat. For 1976 , it was decided the DH rule would apply to all games in a World Series, regardless of venue, but only in even-numbered years. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Dan Driessen became
5166-445: The American League posted a higher batting average than the National League in 1973. This trend held in every season in which the American League employed the designated hitter but the National League did not between 1973 and 2021. At the end of its three-year trial period, the American League kept the designated hitter, while the National League still refused to adopt it. In response to increases in American League attendance because of
Frank Thomas (designated hitter) - Misplaced Pages Continue
5292-542: The American League. Japan's Central League has not adopted the designated hitter – the only top-level professional league in the world to refrain from doing so as of 2023. When teams from different leagues play against each other in the Japan Series or interleague games, the DH rule is adopted if the Pacific League's team hosts the game, similar to the MLB rules before the universal DH. The Mexican League introduced
5418-513: The Blue Jays released Thomas. Four days later after his release from Toronto, the Athletics and Thomas agreed to terms for his return. In his final game with the Athletics on August 29, he went 2-for-4. After playing 55 games with Oakland due to time on the disabled list, Thomas hit five more home runs to bring his career total to 521, while posting a .263 batting average. On October 31, 2008, he became
5544-492: The Blue Jays, in which he engages in a pillow fight with children. This ad drew the criticism of the Television Bureau of Canada, who requested a "Dramatization. Do not try this at home." disclaimer be placed on the ad. A similar warning was placed on teammate A. J. Burnett 's commercial. The Blue Jays, humorously, then scheduled a "Frank Thomas Kid's Pillow" promotion for September 2, 2007. In 2012, Thomas participated in
5670-514: The Cardinals fired their general manager, John Claiborne , who was the leading proponent for the adoption of the DH rule, and the National League never held another vote on the issue. The designated hitter was not used in the World Series from 1973 to 1975. Between 1976 and 1985, the DH was used in the World Series during even-numbered years, while pitchers batted in odd-numbered years. In 1986,
5796-443: The DH can bat in place of any defensive player. However, a league may adopt a rule which requires all players present and able to play to be listed in the batting order (such that the order contains more than nine players), and thus all players will have a turn to bat even when they are not assigned a fielding position. Players in the batting lineup without a position on the field are given the position designation extra hitter (EH),
5922-404: The DH if either Ohtani, or a player replacing him at DH, had played a position in the field other than pitcher. Every patron of the game is conversant with the utter worthlessness of the average pitcher when he goes up to try and hit the ball. The Sporting Life , December 19, 1891 The rationale for the designated hitter rule arose early in the history of professional baseball. During
6048-480: The DH not contributing defense. In 2021, Shohei Ohtani became the first everyday DH to win league MVP honors, having played in 126 of 155 games (81.29%) at DH. However, Ohtani's MVP season was mainly due to his success as a two-way player , having also logged 23 games as a pitcher and seven games in the outfield. In 2023, Ohtani won his second MVP award, playing 134 of 135 games as a DH that season while also pitching in 23 of those games. In 2024, Ohtani, now playing in
6174-446: The DH role among part-time players (for example, using a left-handed batter against a right-handed pitcher and vice versa), or they could employ a full-time designated hitter against all pitchers. Healthy regular lineup players gained the ability to take a partial day off by not playing the field, while aging, injured, and injury prone players gained the opportunity to bat without being exposed to re-injury while fielding. As of 2009 , only
6300-458: The DH rule was applied to a game based on the rules of the home team's league. If the game was played in an American League park, the designated hitter could be used; in a National League park, the pitcher must bat or else be replaced with a pinch-hitter. On June 12, 1997, San Francisco Giants outfielder Glenallen Hill became the first National League DH in a regular-season game, when the Giants met
6426-460: The DH, the National League held a vote on August 13, 1980, to determine whether or not to adopt it. A majority of the 12 member teams was necessary to pass the rule, and the measure was expected to pass. However, when the teams were informed that the rule would not take effect until the 1982 season, Philadelphia Phillies vice president Bill Giles was unsure of how the team owner, Ruly Carpenter , wanted him to vote. Unable to contact Carpenter, who
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#17328765158786552-461: The DH; it was intended for the two leagues to agree on a common rule at the end of the American League's trial. On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first designated hitter in MLB history, facing Boston Red Sox right-hander Luis Tiant in his first plate appearance . Blomberg was walked on five pitches with the bases loaded in the first inning. As expected,
6678-480: The National League and even won eight Gold Gloves earlier in his career, was used strictly as a DH later in his career when the San Francisco Giants played away interleague games because of his diminishing fielding skills. Some believe that extending careers of older players is more of a disadvantage than an advantage, filling spots that otherwise may have been taken by younger players who end up not finding
6804-566: The National League used the DH for the first time. For the first time since 1972 (the final year before the American League adopted the DH), the National League had the higher seasonal batting average of the two leagues. At least one of the proposals released during negotiations between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players' Association (MLBPA) regarding the 2021 season's rules included the so-called "universal DH," but an impasse led to
6930-428: The National League, a manager had to decide when to let a pitcher bat or remove him, as well as whom to pinch-hit and where or if that player should take the field afterward. When the decision to remove a pitcher is made, the manager may also elect to double switch , delaying the new pitcher's turn at bat. A designated hitter reduces the need for late-inning pinch hitters . Advocates of the designated hitter point to
7056-645: The Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game in Columbus, Ohio. He batted cleanup and helped the Legends team win the ballgame. In 2013, Thomas participated in the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game in Rochester, New York. On June 24, 2017, Thomas gave a live speech during Mark Buehrle 's White Sox #56 retirement ceremony about Buehrle's career and his time being his teammate. Thomas appeared as a guest analyst during TBS 's coverage of
7182-477: The U.S. National Team—preparing for the 1988 Summer Olympics —but was cut from the final squad. By the end of his junior baseball season, he had hit 19 home runs, 19 doubles, and batted .403 with a slugging percentage of .801. Thomas concluded his college career with 49 home runs, a school record. In May 2011, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame . The Chicago White Sox selected Thomas with
7308-415: The White Sox in the 1989 MLB draft , Thomas made his major league debut the following year and immediately impressed with his hitting ability. Thomas was named the AL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) by unanimous vote in 1993. That year, he became the first White Sox player to hit 40 home runs and led the team to a division title. He repeated as MVP in the strike-shortened 1994 season, batting .353 and leading
7434-575: The White Sox to a World Series victory, their first in 88 years. Thomas was not on the postseason roster of the Series-winning team due to injury, but the team honored his perennial contributions to the franchise during Game 1 of the Division Series against the Boston Red Sox . Thomas was chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. "What a feeling," Thomas said. "Standing [ovation] all around
7560-611: The White Sox's DH, in the voting for the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award . He was awarded the AL players' choice award for Comeback Player. He finished fourth in the vote for the MVP award. On November 16, 2006, Thomas signed a two-year, $ 18 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays . According to MLB.com , Thomas was scheduled to make $ 9 million in each of the two seasons. The contract included an option for 2009 contingent on his reaching 1,050 plate appearances over
7686-416: The White Sox. He was cheered in his introduction by the White Sox fans. Moments later, when he hit his first home run of the night to put his former team behind in the score 1–0, the Chicago crowd gave Thomas a standing ovation. Thomas rejuvenated his career playing with the Athletics, placing fifth in the American League with 39 home runs and eighth with 114 RBI. He also was key to the team's stretch drive to
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#17328765158787812-417: The back of this historic offensive output, Thomas collected all 28 votes from baseball writers for a unanimous AL Most Valuable Player award, the first by a White Sox player since Dick Allen in 1972, while leading the White Sox to their first AL West crown in 10 years. At the time, statistical analyst Bill James projected career statistics of 480 homers and a .311 lifetime average. Then-manager Gene Lamont
7938-529: The basketball team. He wanted desperately to win a contract to play professional baseball, but was not selected in the 1986 amateur draft. "I was shocked and sad," Thomas recalled in the Chicago Tribune . "I saw a lot of guys I played against get drafted, and I knew they couldn't do what I could do. But I've had people all my life saying you can't do this, you can't do that. It scars you. No matter how well I've done. People have misunderstood me for some reason. I
8064-477: The batting order. The fifth batter in the lineup also has the job of batting in runs, in effect a backup for the cleanup hitter. He shares multiple traits with the cleanup hitter and therefore can compete for the cleanup hitter's spot in the batting order. Batters six to nine typically descend in batting skill level, meaning that the ninth batter is often the least effective batter in the lineup. Each individual hitter's strengths and weaknesses determine their spot on
8190-463: The daily lineup card. As the number four hitter's primary responsibility is to turn base runners into runs , a hitter with a high slugging percentage and batting average, especially with runners in scoring position, is generally preferred to the higher on-base percentage (OBP) and low strikeout rates of hitters earlier in the lineup. A manager may also take into account a batters tendency to hit in clutch situations or focus on home run ability. Since
8316-416: The designated hitter and vice versa). However, if a player who starts a game as a P/DH is relieved as the starting pitcher, he may not return to the mound even if he remains in the game as the DH, and he may not play any other defensive position after being relieved as the pitcher unless he immediately moves to another defensive position, in which case the new pitcher must assume the spot in the batting order of
8442-416: The designated hitter in 1974, one year after the American League. The Cuban National Series adopted the designated hitter in 1977. The DH is used for all Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games. Prior to the adoption of the DH by the National League in 2022, only Rookie and Single-A level leagues used the DH rule in all games, while Double-A and Triple-A games, when both teams were National League affiliates
8568-413: The designated hitter must hit for the pitcher, but in many instances the pitcher is also a good hitter, and the coach may elect to let the pitcher bat in the lineup. If the pitcher opts to bat for himself, he is treated as two separate positions – a pitcher and a designated hitter (abbreviated P/DH on the lineup card) – and may be substituted for as such (i.e. if he is removed as the pitcher, he may remain as
8694-451: The designated hitter was not used. The reason for the difference was that as players get closer to reaching the majors, teams preferred to have the rules mimic those of the major league teams for which the players may soon be playing. The Atlantic League , an independent minor league that became an MLB Partner League after the 2021 MiLB reorganization, implemented an experimental "double-hook rule" for its 2021 season. Under this rule, once
8820-477: The designated hitter. On June 15, 2008, Wang, at the time one of the New York Yankees ' best pitchers, was taken out of an interleague game versus the Houston Astros due to a right foot injury he sustained while running the bases, something he was not used to doing, since pitchers do not bat in the American League. Wang was diagnosed with a torn Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneus longus of
8946-508: The election of certain players to the Hall of Fame who, he has said, "we all know" used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Thomas said he was "not happy" about the 2017 election of Jeff Bagwell and Iván Rodríguez who, he said, "it's no secret" used PEDs. In a 2018 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times , Thomas complained that his "career was stepped on" by competitors who used PEDs and "was
9072-684: The end of his career, Thomas was tied for eighth in AL history for home runs (521), ninth for RBI (1,704), and sixth for walks (1,667). Among players with at least 7,000 at bats in the AL, he ranked eighth in slugging average (.555) and ninth in on-base percentage (.419). With a .301 lifetime batting average, he became the seventh player in history to retire with at least a .300 average and 500 home runs. He holds White Sox franchise records for career home runs (448), RBI (1,465), runs (1,327), doubles (447), extra base hits , walks (1,466), slugging average, (.568) and on-base percentage (.427). The White Sox retired Thomas's uniform number 35 in 2010 and unveiled
9198-450: The extension of many careers it has enabled, and, in a few cases, created long, productive careers for players who are weak fielders or have a history of injuries, such as Cecil Fielder and David Ortiz . Hall of Fame members George Brett , Carl Yastrzemski , Paul Molitor , Harold Baines and Edgar Martínez continued their careers longer than they ordinarily would have without the rule. Barry Bonds , who spent his entire career in
9324-400: The field between 1989 and the end of his career in 2001. In 2022, David Ortiz became the first full-time DH to be elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot. Ortiz played 2,028 of his 2,306 career games (88%) at DH. Prior to 2020, only one designated hitter Silver Slugger Award was awarded, and only American League players were the recipients due to the National League still awarding
9450-410: The field, his offensive production wavered during the next two seasons. Never a defensive standout at first base during the early part of his career, Thomas nonetheless preferred playing in the field to serving as a designated hitter , saying that it kept him focused; the fact that he did generally hit better as a first baseman created a dilemma over the years for the White Sox as to whether to use him as
9576-533: The fielder the P/DH substituted for, and the DH is lost for the remainder of the game. Conversely, a player who begins the game as the DH, but not as the pitcher, may come into the game as a reliever and remain as the DH (in effect becoming a P/DH), be relieved on the mound later in the game but continue to bat as the DH. In Little League Baseball , the DH is not used except in the Senior League (age 15–16) division, where
9702-488: The first National League player to act as a DH in any capacity (regular season or postseason) when he was listed as the DH in the first game (he was the DH in all four Series games that year). This practice lasted through 1985 . Beginning in the 1986 World Series , the DH rule was used in games played in the stadium of the American League representative. There was initially no DH in the All-Star Game . Beginning in 1989,
9828-452: The first time also having been against the Red Sox on September 15, 1996 in a White Sox loss. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield started both games for the Red Sox, and gave up five of the six home runs Thomas hit, including all three in the first game. During spring training in 2008 , Thomas expressed his confidence about his team's chances for the upcoming season. Thomas hit his first home run of
9954-569: The game on offense as a DH. Japanese high school baseball is one of the few amateur baseball leagues in the world that has never used the designated hitter rule at all. In high school baseball in South Korea , the rule has been adopted since 2004. American Legion rules, on the other hand, allow the DH only to bat for the pitcher; prior to 1995, the use of the DH was not allowed in Legion baseball at all. In college baseball , NCAA rules state that
10080-413: The home run is by far the most sure-fire method of batting in baserunners, the annual Home Run Derby tends to be a who's who of cleanup hitters from around the league. That being said, a hitter with an unspectacular home run rate who is instead reliable when it comes to extra-base hits can also be a valuable tool for scoring with runners in scoring position (RISP) . It is ultimately a question of how well
10206-554: The honor when the strike occurred. Pressed by the media to comment on his accomplishments—and his future—Thomas downplayed his own significance, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution : "I'm not into being known as the best by fans or the media. I care how I'm perceived by my peers. I can settle for the label 'one of the best' because that means you're considered an elite player." Thomas would continue putting up significant well-rounded offensive numbers, always placing in
10332-553: The idea of giving up hitting. In 1910, Addie Joss stated, "if there is one thing that a pitcher would rather do than make the opposing batsmen look foolish, it is to step to the plate, especially in a pinch, and deliver the much-needed hit." A 1918 article in Baseball Magazine attributed to Babe Ruth stated, "the pitcher who can't get in there in the pinch and win his own game with a healthy wallop, isn't more than half earning his salary in my way of thinking." Nevertheless, in
10458-442: The late 1920s, National League president John Heydler made several attempts to introduce a 10th-man designated hitter as a way to add more offense to the game. Several managers were interested in the idea and intended to implement it during spring training in 1929. However, Heydler's proposal was not adopted as an official rule change, and he advised teams to have pitchers bat during spring training in order for them to prepare for
10584-446: The league in on-base percentage , something he would accomplish four times during his career. In 1993, Thomas batted .317 with a club-record 41 homers, 128 RBI, 106 runs scored, and 112 walks. He joined a quartet of Hall of Famers ( Babe Ruth , Lou Gehrig , Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams ) as the only players in baseball history to eclipse .300 with more than 20 homers and more than 100 RBI, runs, and walks in three straight seasons. On
10710-560: The league in slugging percentage and runs. Following two sub-par seasons, Thomas lost a close MVP vote in 2000 despite posting career highs of 43 home runs and 143 RBI. Still, he was named AL Comeback Player of the Year , and Chicago finished with the AL's best record. Later in Thomas's career, a variety of foot injuries and minor ailments reduced his productivity and often limited him to a designated hitter role. In 2005, his final season in Chicago, he
10836-456: The limitations of the old rule. The rule change was subsequently applied for international-level games, starting with the 2023 World Baseball Classic . Unlike other positions, the DH is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitution may be made to alter the batting rotation of the DH. In other words, a double switch involving the DH and a position player (with the exception of players started as starting pitcher and designated hitter)
10962-503: The major leagues in fly ball percentage (54.9%). In 2005, Thomas again suffered from injury, but hit 12 home runs in 105 at-bats over 35 games, demonstrating his continued power at the plate. Adding together 2004 and 2005, he had fewer than 350 total at-bats because of injuries, but hit 30 home runs and drew 80 walks. As a member of the White Sox, Thomas and teammate Magglio Ordóñez tied a major league record for back-to-back homers, with six in one season. In 2005, manager Ozzie Guillén led
11088-483: The minor league trial period ended, the American and National Leagues could not agree on implementation. Like other experimental baseball rule changes of the 1960s and 1970s, the DH was embraced by Oakland Athletics owner Charlie O. Finley . On January 11, 1973, Finley and the other American League owners voted 8–4 to approve the designated hitter for a three-year trial run. The National League chose not to implement
11214-464: The most hurt" of any players in that era. The White Sox announced that they would honor Thomas with a life-size bronze statue. It was unveiled on July 31, 2011, on the outfield concourse at U.S. Cellular Field . It is the eighth statue on the outfield concourse. Thomas was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 with 83.7% of the vote in his initial year of eligibility, and
11340-532: The next two seasons or 525 plate appearances in the second year of the contract. On June 17, 2007, Thomas hit his 496th career home run against the Washington Nationals , giving him his 244th home run as a DH, breaking the record previously held by Edgar Martínez . On June 28, 2007, Thomas hit the 500th home run of his career, becoming the 21st major league player to do so. It was a three-run shot off Minnesota's Carlos Silva (Thomas' 500th home run came on
11466-546: The only active player who agreed to be interviewed for the Mitchell Report in 2007. Thomas was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia , and attended Columbus High School , where he was a standout in both football and baseball. As a sophomore, he hit cleanup for the baseball team, which won a state championship. As a senior, he not only hit .440, but also was named an All-State tight end in football, and played forward with
11592-458: The only inductees to even have played at least 25% of their games at DH, though Molitor played more games at DH than any other position during his career. In 2014, Frank Thomas became the first Hall of Famer who played the majority of his games at DH. In 2019, Edgar Martínez and Harold Baines were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Martinez played over 70% of his games at DH. Baines played 1,643 of his 2,830 games at DH; he played only 63 games in
11718-527: The other hand, Matsui became the only World Series MVP to never play in the field that season, as he came in as a pinch hitter in the pitcher's spot but was never moved to a fielding position via a double switch during games played in a National League park. Ortiz was also the first designated hitter to win the ALCS MVP in 2004, followed by Delmon Young in 2012, and Yordan Alvarez in 2021. Among Hall of Famers, Paul Molitor and Jim Rice were, until 2014,
11844-518: The others). The 1994 shortened season was due to a players' strike, and perhaps no one felt the sting of the strike more than Thomas, who stood poised to achieve one of baseball's most prestigious honors: the Triple Crown . Not since 1967 had any player finished the regular season first in average, home runs, and runs batted in. Thomas had recorded 32 home runs at the All-Star break, and was contending for
11970-570: The place. People really cheering me. I had tears in my eyes. To really know the fans cared that much about me—it was a great feeling. One of my proudest moments in the game." Though Thomas was not on the postseason roster, he did earn a World Series ring for his contributions during the season. Thomas established several White Sox batting records, including all-time leader in runs scored (1,327), home runs (448), doubles (447), RBI (1,465), extra-base hits (906), walks (1,466), total bases (3,949), slugging percentage (.568), and on-base percentage (.427). At
12096-533: The playoffs: for the week ending September 10, he was the league's player of the week after hitting .462 with five homers and 13 RBI. The 2006 postseason provided Thomas the opportunity to play in his first postseason games since 2000 due to having missed the 2005 playoffs with an injury, when the Athletics clinched the American League West title, defeating the Seattle Mariners 12–3 on September 26. During
12222-494: The position is authorized by Rule 5.11 of the Official Baseball Rules. It was adopted by the American League in 1973 and by the National League in 2022 , making it universal in MLB. Within that time frame, nearly all amateur , collegiate , and professional leagues worldwide have adopted the designated hitter or some variant, except for Nippon Professional Baseball 's Central League . The designated hitter
12348-467: The regular season. Serious momentum to implement the designated hitter was absent until the pitching dominance of the late 1960s. In 1968, Bob Gibson led the major leagues with a live-ball era record 1.12 ERA . For the first time since 1908, the American and National Leagues had a collective batting average below .240; Carl Yastrzemski led the American League in hitting with only a .301 mark. After
12474-438: The remainder of the game, and the player who was DH would become a position player (or exit the game). The DH substitution rule has an exception: If a starting pitcher started simultaneously as the designated hitter, that player will remain as DH to bat for his relievers after being replaced as pitcher, likewise remaining as starting pitcher if he was pinch hit by a bench player who'd become the new designated hitter. The exception
12600-441: The right foot. The cast was removed on July 29, but the extensive rehabilitation process prevented Wang from being an effective pitcher afterwards at the major league level. Yankees part-owner Hank Steinbrenner showed frustration with pitchers having to bat in the National League and suggested that the league "join the modern age". Japan's Pacific League adopted the designated hitter in 1975, just two years after its adoption in
12726-509: The rule effectively separates pitchers, other fielders, and designated hitters into separate roles that never coincide, potentially promoting ' batting cage ' players having extremely limited scope of experience. However, when the pitcher bats alongside everyone else, all nine players must take their turn at the plate and in the field, and the combined roles require that everyone knows other roles in addition to their own. The designated hitter rule also changes managerial strategy in late innings. In
12852-461: The rule was applied only to games played in American League stadiums. During this era, if the All-Star Game was scheduled for an American League stadium, fans would vote for the DH for the American League's starting lineup, while the National League's manager decided that league's starting DH. Since 2010, the designated hitter has been used by both teams regardless of where the game is played. For
12978-403: The rule was changed to implement designated hitters only in World Series games in which the home team was from the American League. This rule was also adopted for interleague play during the regular season upon its introduction in 1997. As time passed, the designated hitter rule enabled American League managers to employ diverse strategies in setting their teams' lineups. Managers could rotate
13104-402: The same day Craig Biggio hit his 3,000th career hit ). Despite Thomas being a player for the visiting team in the game, the Metrodome scoreboard still paid notice to his achievement. He was later ejected from this same game. On September 17, 2007, Thomas hit three home runs in his team's 6–1 win over the Red Sox. It was the second time in his career that Thomas hit three home runs in a game,
13230-548: The season against the Red Sox on April 5, in a 10–2 Blue Jays win. The following day, with the bases loaded and a 2–2 tie, Thomas hit a grand slam off Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen , leading the Jays to a 7–4 victory. On April 19, before a game against the Detroit Tigers , manager John Gibbons benched Thomas. Thomas expressed his frustration about the decision, and vowed that his career would "not end like this". On April 20, 2008,
13356-485: The season with 28 home runs and 92 RBI. Always a patient hitter, Thomas led the AL in walks four times. Through the end of the 2006 season, he was second among all active players in walks and third in on-base percentage, and ranked among the top 20 lifetime in both categories. Thomas had another solid season in 2003. He tied for second in the AL in home runs (42), and was in the league's top ten in walks, extra base hits, slugging average, and on-base plus slugging , as he led
13482-512: The season, in order to increase offensive output, the height of the pitcher's mound was reduced from 15 to 10 inches (38 to 25 cm), and the upper limit of the strike zone was lowered from the top of a batter's shoulders to his armpits. In 1969, the International League and four other minor leagues began a four-year trial period for the designated hitter. The American League allowed its use in spring training in 1971, however, when
13608-516: The seventh pick in the first round of the June 1989 Major League Baseball draft . He made his major league debut on August 2, 1990, against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium ; he went without a hit , going 0-for-4, but had an RBI on a fielder's choice which scored Iván Calderón as the White Sox won the game 4–3. On August 28, Thomas hit the first home run of his career in a road game against
13734-403: The spot of the position player replaced by the former DH. If the designated hitter is moved to pitcher, any subsequent pitcher (or pinch-hitter thereof) would bat should that spot in the batting order come up again (except for a further multiple substitution). Likewise, if a pinch-hitter bats for a non-pitcher, and then remains in the game as the pitcher, the team would forfeit the use of the DH for
13860-413: The start of the game. If a team does not begin a game with a DH, the team's pitchers (or pinch hitters ) must bat for the entire game. The designated hitter can be moved to a fielding position during the game. If the DH is moved to another position, his team forfeits the role of designated hitter, and the pitcher or another player (the latter possible only in case of a multiple substitution) would bat in
13986-456: The starting lineup. On June 23, 2021, Ohtani made history again when, for the first time, an AL team did not use the designated hitter and an NL team did. While the Angels declined the DH privilege, the visiting Giants opted to use it, starting Alex Dickerson at DH. On February 10, 2022, Manfred announced plans for a universal DH beginning with the 2022 season . The rule was ratified as part of
14112-472: The substitution of another man to take the pitcher's place at the bat when it came his turn to go there," while Spalding proposed removing the pitcher's turn from the batting order, reducing its length to eight players. Temple's proposal was voted down by a narrow margin prior to the 1892 season. The idea of a designated hitter was raised by Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack in 1906, however, his proposal received little support. Pitchers rejected
14238-803: The summer of 1988, Thomas played for the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League . Highlights included a three-homer game in Wareham, as well as a home run over the 434' sign in center field at Eldredge Park in Orleans. In 2000, Thomas was named a member of the inaugural class of the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame . Despite the injury that could have jeopardized his football scholarship, Auburn continued his funding, and baseball became his sole sport. He won consideration for
14364-590: The time he left the team, his 448 home runs were more than twice as many as any other individual player had hit for the White Sox in their 105-year history. Despite his perennial offensive production and established fan base in Chicago, the White Sox elected to release Thomas in 2005. Thomas later expressed disappointment with how his 16-year tenure with the White Sox was ended, saying that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf did not call him to tell him he wasn't coming back. He also said that he and Kenny Williams did not see eye-to-eye after Williams became general manager following
14490-472: The top finishers in all major offensive categories, though rarely leading in any one stat. In 1995, he hit .308 with 40 homers and 111 RBI; in 1996, he hit .349 with 40 home runs and 134 RBI, and became an All-Star for the fourth time while finishing eighth in MVP voting. From 1991 to 1997, Thomas finished in the top 10 of the MVP voting every year. In 1997 , Thomas won the batting title and finished third in MVP voting. However, due in part to personal strife off
14616-400: Was added by MLB for the 2022 season, coincident with the introduction of the universal DH. It has been widely nicknamed the "Ohtani rule" as a nod to Shohei Ohtani , at the time a two-way star pitcher and hitter for the Los Angeles Angels who had sometimes batted for himself in the past, but had to leave games as hitter or move to another position on the field when relieved as pitcher due to
14742-442: Was advocating drug testing for professional baseball players. After hitting his 500th career home run in 2007, Thomas stated, "It means a lot to me because I did it the right way," alluding to Barry Bonds 's then-ongoing pursuit of Hank Aaron 's career home run record. Thomas was, then, the only active baseball player to be interviewed during the preparation of the Mitchell Report . He did so voluntarily. Thomas has been critical of
14868-623: Was also a tremendous hitter, posting a .359 batting average and leading the Tigers in RBI as a freshman. During summer 1987, he played for the U.S. Pan American Team, earning a spot on the final roster in the Pan American Games . The Games coincided with the beginning of football practice back at Auburn, so he left the Pan Am team and returned to college—only to be injured twice in early-season football games. In
14994-409: Was always one of the most competitive kids around." In the autumn of 1986, Thomas accepted a scholarship to play football at Auburn University . His love of baseball drew him to the school's baseball team, where the coach immediately recognized his potential. "We loved him," Auburn baseball coach Hal Baird told Sports Illustrated . "He was fun to be around—always smiling, always bright-eyed." He
15120-451: Was given to the National League adopting the DH for the 2017 season, when a new collective bargaining agreement would take effect. However, he later backtracked, saying that he did not envision such a change being made in the near future. Accordingly, the DH rule was not then adopted by the National League. In 2020, as a health and safety measure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ,
15246-451: Was inducted as a member of the White Sox on July 27, 2014. He was the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame who played more games as a designated hitter than as a position player. Thomas appeared in the 1992 film Mr. Baseball (as a hot-prospect rookie wearing #68 named Ricky Davis who forces Tom Selleck 's character off the Yankees roster). During the 1994–95 MLB strike, Thomas and
15372-501: Was introduced in 1973 and has been handed out every season since, except 1994 due to a players' strike. Multiple winners include Edgar Martínez (five times) and David Ortiz (eight times, five consecutively). DHs have generally not had much impact on the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award or National Baseball Hall of Fame voting, because of the relative rarity of the full-time DH and
15498-462: Was laudatory of Thomas' skills: "I've only seen him two years now, but I'm convinced that there isn't a pitch he can't hit." White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson echoed the praise, "In my 30 years in the game, I've never seen anyone like Big Hurt [Thomas]. In another 30 years, we may be talking about Frank Thomas in the same way we talk about Ted Williams." Thomas credited Harrelson with coining the "Big Hurt" nickname. In 1994, playing just 113 games due to
15624-421: Was limited to only 34 games after starting the year on the disabled list and then fracturing a bone in his foot close to where it was surgically repaired the previous off-season. He was unable to play in the post-season while the White Sox won the World Series that year. Thomas spent the final three years of his career with the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays , with whom he hit his 500th home run . By
15750-404: Was not bitter or angry and had joined the A's with an open mind. Thomas signed with the Oakland Athletics to a one-year, $ 500,000 deal with incentives on January 26, 2006. The Athletics installed Thomas as their everyday DH. He started the season slowly, hitting .178 through May 20, but ended the season as the team leader in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. He provided
15876-737: Was on a fishing trip, Giles was forced to abstain from voting. Prior to the meeting, Harding Peterson , general manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was told to side with the Phillies however they voted. The final tally was four teams voting for the DH (the Atlanta Braves , New York Mets , St. Louis Cardinals , and San Diego Padres ), five votes against (the Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , and San Francisco Giants ), and three abstentions (the Phillies, Pirates, and Houston Astros ). Five days after that meeting,
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