Top Ten DH's of all-time

Yesterday marked the 35th anniversary of Ron Blomberg stepping into the batters box as Major League Baseball’s first designated hitter. Today the position is used to cover up a defensive weakness, revitalize an aging veteran’s career, and most importantly take the fun out of watching a pitcher attempt to look average at the plate and substitute him with a guy who should hit 25-30 homers. Below is a list of the top ten guys who did it best.

10. Tony Oliva-



The former Twin was an aging superstar outfielder as the designated hitter position was coming into play in the mid- 70’s. While the twice runner-up for MVP votes and seven time all-star didn’t quite put up the numbers he did early on, he hit a respectable .275 as a DH with 41 homers in his final four seasons.

9. Rico Carty-



After a nine year career in the National League, he was traded to the Rangers in 1973 to play DH, where like Oliva, his numbers were starting to fade as quickly as his age. He did have eight solid years primarily in the AL, where he hit 83 homers and had a .284 average.

8. Jim Rice-



The Red Sox great spent the majority of his career as the designated hitter, and spent 1/3 of his 1978 MVP season at the position. Rice belted 98 homeruns and 350 RBI as a DH, but his .503 slugging percentage is probably the most impressive number for his time.

7. Don Baylor-



A lifelong DH, the former Cub skipper was one of the better to play the position. His 219 homers and 803 RBI give him the status he has. It is just too bad for Cub’s fans that he could not translate his playing career to his coaching.

6. Reggie Jackson-



Many could argue that he should be higher, and some could say he does not deserve to be on the list, but the six spot personally fits well. He spent roughly a fourth of his at-bats as a DH, where he managed to belt 101 homers and 328 RBI. His .227 average at the position shows why he leads the league in career strikeouts however.
Mr. October did not quite do the damage at DH that he did earlier in his career, but it’s just hard to leave a guy of his stature off.

5. Harold Baines-



My aunt’s favorite player of all-time, and the she is the one who gives me the majority of my tickets, so putting him on here was a must. But Aunt Margie is not the selling factor to get him on this; his numbers back him up just fine. DH’s before him were typically known as power guys and Baines revolutionized the spot as more of an on-base hitter. His .291 average and his .370 obp are both high numbers for the position. Not to mention he is one of the nicest guys in baseball.

4. David Ortiz-



The position is made for guys like this. A below-average first baseman, a move to Boston turned him into a superstar. Maybe the most clutch hitter in today’s game, Big Papi has the ability to take his team on his shoulders with one swing of the bat. The four-time all star has hit 265 homers and has a career designated hitter slugging percentage of .578, which is just ridiculous. His new Reebok’s are also worth looking at.

3. Frank Thomas-



The Big Hurt was just about everyone I know’s favorite player at one time in their life or another. While many on the list’s lifetime numbers begin to fade as they are getting to the DH position, the Hurt’s numbers have been rejuvenated the last few years. The introduction of Paul Konerko at first led Thomas to the hitter-focused role in 1998. While his average has faltered a bit since the move ten years ago, he still possesses a career .303 average and in 2006 at the age of 38 Thomas knocked out 39 homers and drove in 114 RBI, good enough for 4th on the AL MVP ballot.

2. Paul Molitor-



Paul Molitor was truly a special player, as he started every fielding position but catcher in his illustrious 20-year career. The lifetime .306 hitter played out the majority of it as a DH who could hit for both average and power. He spent years in Milwaukee and Toronto just killing the Sox.

1. Edgar Martinez-



When most think of a designated hitter, Edgar has to come to mind as one of the best. His career .312 average is phenomenal and he complimented that with 309 homeruns. His .532 DH slugging percentage was a must for that Mariner lineup considering all the walks Ken Griffey, A-Rod, and Jay Buhner created while hitting in front of Martinez.