It’s been nearly 50 years since the designated hitter was introduced to the American League. Since then, huge names such as David Ortiz and Edgar Martinez managed to maximize their impact by occupying that position and leaving first base to better fielders. All signs indicate the inclusion of an universal DH once the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached.
Five decades is no short time period, but within the context of a franchise like the New York Yankees, it leaves a lot of history out of play. Who knows what would have happened if the designated hitter had been around since the beginning or was introduced at an earlier date?