The designated hitter was introduced to Major League Baseball during 1973 in an effort to increase offense around the league. While it partially achieved these effects, it also created a sense of identity between the two leagues. For starters, the background of the DH and the St. Louis Cardinals‘ relationship with it must be discussed.
It was implemented in 1973, a full 46 years ago. Bartolo Colon, the oldest player to appear in the MLB in 2018, was 1 month old when the first DH stepped up to the plate. This was an entirely different era of baseball and history in general.