Peanuts by Charles Schulz for February 22, 1973
February 21, 1973
February 23, 1973
Transcript:
Charlie Brown wears a baseball cap and looks at a book. He reads, "A pinch-hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitchers in the game . ."<BR><BR> Charlie Brown continues to read, "Failure to designate a pinch-hitter prior to the game precludes the use of a designated pinch-hitter for the game . . . Pinch-hitters for a designated pinch-hitter may be used . . ."<BR><BR> Charlie Brown reads, "Any substitute pinch-hitter for a designated pinch-hitter himself becoming a designated pinch-hitter shall not re-enter the game."<BR><BR> Charlie Brown sits on the ground and thinks, "I probably won't get to bat the whole season . . ."<BR><BR>
On January 11, 1973, the owners of America’s 24 major league baseball teams vote to allow teams in the American League to use a “designated pinch-hitter” who could bat for the pitcher while still allowing the pitcher to stay in the game. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-league-adopts-designated-hitter-rule
(It was then shortened to “designated hitter”.) But Charlie Brown should not despair: it will take until 2022 for DH to appear in the National League, so his team just needs to switch leagues.