The best designated hitters in baseball history

Few topics in baseball history have incited more debate than the role of the designated hitter. Traditionalists consider the position to be an abomination, while younger fans love the offensive fireworks DH’s typically create.

A heated new DH dispute has emerged over the past week as the Major League Baseball Players’ Association has begun pushing hard to include a Universal DH as part of a modified 2020 season. It's a bold new plan, and one that could renew interest in America's national pastime when it needs it most.

No matter what side of the debate you fall on, we think you'll agree that these are the top five designated hitters in baseball history.

5. Harold Baines

Some readers may be disappointed not to see Brian Downing in this spot. And by "some readers" we mean Downing’s family. The former Angel had a solid enough career, but he doesn’t hold a candle to Harold Baines. The well-traveled Hall of Famer hit .300 or better in eight of his 22 seasons and is among the all-time leaders in plate appearances, hits, doubles, home runs, and extra base hits.

It’s fair to question whether Baines belongs in Cooperstown, but there’s no questioning the fact that he’s one of the greatest professional hitters in MLB history.

4. Paul Molitor

Paul Molitor was far from your typical DH. Unlike his lumbering, power hitting peers, "The Ignitor" was a sleek, slap-hitting speed merchant who stole 504 bases over 21 seasons. His compact swing and blazing speed made him one of the most dangerous players in the game, and paved the way for seven All-Star appearances and four Silver Slugger awards.

Playing DH allowed Molitor to extend his prime considerably, and he made history in 1993 when the then 37-year-old became the oldest player ever to post his first 100 RBI season. He capped off the year by winning his first title with the Toronto Blue Jays and earned World Series MVP honors after hitting .500 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Not bad for a guy that many considered over the hill.

3. Edgar Martinez

Major League Baseball has been celebrating its best designated hitters since 1973 with an annual award voted upon by the Baseball Writers’ Association of American. The honor was originally known as the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award but it’s known by virtually everyone these days as the Edgar Martinez Award.

A five-time recipient of the trophy that now bears his name, Martinez was also a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger recipient, and two-time batting champ. He finished his 18-year career with the Seattle Mariners with an exceptional .312 batting average and 2,247 hits.

His role as a primary DH initially cost him a spot in Cooperstown, but "Gar" was finally enshrined in 2019 when voters could no longer ignore his tremendous body of work.

2. Frank Thomas

Few players have enjoyed a better start to their professional careers than Frank Thomas, who hit .300 or better and had at least 20 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 100 walks in each of his first seven full seasons in the major leagues. It’s a feat unrivalled by anyone else in baseball history, and it led to back-to-back AL MVP awards in 1993 and 1994.

Thomas’ power wasn’t surprising given his gargantuan 6-foot-5, 240 lb frame, but his discipline and bat control were. He was the American League batting champ in 1997 when he hit .347, and he hit above .320 six times during his extraordinary 19-year career.

The "Big Hurt’s" greatness was formally acknowledged in 2014 when he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

1. David Ortiz

If you close your eyes and try to picture a prototypical DH, chances are you’ll come up with something strikingly similar to David Ortiz. The 6-foot-3, 230 lb masher was a 10-time All-Star and three-time World Series champ with a penchant for sending balls deep, deep, deep into the upper deck. From 2004 to 2006, he averaged 47 home runs per year, and he did it with meat and potatoes rather than steroids and HGH.

"Big Papi" holds the record for most career hits, home runs, and RBIs among designated hitters, and it’s hard to imagine him being knocked out of first place anytime soon.

---

Wager on MLB futures now at BetAmerica!