Earl Weaver and the DH

I thought I'd look at the Earl Weaver Clause in the official rule book. It's some windy baseball lore, for a day with no baseball.

Rule 5.11 (a) (2) reads as follows:

The Designated Hitter named in the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing Club changes pitchers.

If you think about it - why would this clause even be necessary? Was there a rash of managers changing their minds about who their DH was going to be after they'd handed in the lineup card?

No. There was only Weaver, causing trouble. In August 1980, Weaver began writing one of his pitchers into the starting lineup as the DH. He would then pinch-hit for his "DH" as soon as his turn in the order came up.…