My name is Phil Falcone and I created this space with a singular purpose and concern in mind: for the continued rehabilitation of Major League baseball.

I have two proposals that I believe you will like and will help baseball take important strides in once again making the game fresh and exciting for all. With that in mind, the two main areas of concern that still need to be fixed are the Designated hitter and the Wild Card. Today, let’s fix the DH.

The problem with the DH is multi-dimensional. With Inter-league play properly expanded, it is amplified how unbalanced it is for one league to build it’s roster with one set of rules while the other does the same with a separate set. Stats are misleading enough, but they are even more cloudy when the pitcher does not hit in both leagues. Also, we all know that game management is completely different when the pitcher does not hit. It also affects the decision to go or not go up and in if the pitcher never comes to the plate.

The economic impact is great to a club when an aged hitter extends his career as a DH and fans come to the ballpark specifically to see this man hit – in place of a pitcher.

Now, I don’t subscribe to the argument that those old out of shape guys should be gone and that the pitcher must hit to sustain the true art of the game. I do so only to a certain degree.

So, my fix is in! What we need to do is to integrate a compromise and employ it for both leagues. Here it is: in the colder beginning and colder ending of the season, we institute a DH in both leagues. The first five and last five weeks of the season is DH time. The middle sixteen weeks, All pitcher’s hit in both leagues.

What do you say, Bud? (Or who ever the new Commissioner may be!!)

Phil Falcone