Verlander wants DH abolished to create 'even playing field'

Justin Verlander has spent his entire career facing designated hitters, and he'd rather not see any more of them going forward.

In an interview with Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Houston Astros ace revealed himself to be an advocate for the removal of the DH in the American League.

"I would take the DH out, even though I know the National League is talking about implementing the designated hitter," Verlander said. "For my pitching purposes, it's fun to face guys like me who can't hit. But I do think, for instance when we were in the World Series, the Houston Astros are playing the Dodgers, when we are at Dodger Stadium, we were a little behind. We were not used to hitting, bunting and things like that."

The AL adopted the DH in 1973, but the Senior Circuit has continued to have pitchers bat for themselves at National League parks. Although the NL has resisted adopting the position for decades, calls for the adoption of a universal DH have grown louder of late, and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred even noted last month that the discussion has "moved a little."

Verlander's contrarian point of view on this issue stems from his desire to see the two leagues on equal footing. While the AL and NL were once separate entities with their own umpires, rules, and league presidents, they're now officially a single entity with daily interleague games and few distinguishing characteristics - with the one notable exception of the DH rule.

"When you're playing a championship, that determines the best team in the world, it should be an even playing field," Verlander said. "(Baseball's) the only sport like that with different sets of rules in different leagues.

"I like the game with no DH, personally. But who knows, one day I might be in the National League, so maybe they can keep it out of that league for awhile."

The 35-year-old Verlander has spent his entire career in the AL, so he has very little experience at the plate. He's a career .111/.111/.111 hitter (5-for-45) with 10 sacrifice hits and just a single RBI across 55 plate appearances during interleague play.