ANGELS REPORT

Twenty-five years ago today, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first designated hitter to appear in a game, sparking years of debate over a position that is used in the American League but not the National League.

Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove, for one, likes the DH, and not just because he made numerous appearances as a DH during his playing days.

“If there was a DH, Mickey Mantle would have played three or four more years and we would have seen something special,” Hargrove said of the former Yankee, who retired in 1968 because of ailing knees. “Eddie Murray, Paul Molitor . . . because of the DH, we get to see them put up big numbers.”

Some argue the DH has artificially inflated some statistics, because it has allowed some players to extend their careers. Hargrove thinks not.

“Those guys could still hit,” Hargrove said. “No one was flipping the ball underhand to them.”