Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton (born November 8, 1989), formerly known as Mike Stanton, is an American professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB).

The designated hitter (DH) is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher. The position is authorized by Major League Baseball Rule 5.11. It was adopted by the American League in 1973 and by the National League in 2022, making it universal in MLB.

David Ortiz The 10-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion has won a record eight Outstanding Designated Hitter Awards. While making 8,861 plate appearances as a DH, Ortiz hit 485 of his 541 home runs, drove in 1,569 runs, batted .

A Designated Hitter is a baseball player that is assigned to bat in place of the pitcher. This allows the pitcher to concentrate on pitching thus speeding up the game (less bunting). This was adopted in MLB by the American League in 1973 and the game has never been the same ever since.

However, a starting pitcher (but not relievers) may choose to also start as the designated hitter, so that the pitcher bats for himself. The DH may only be used for the pitcher (and not any other position player), as stated in Rule 5.11. Use of the DH is optional, but must be determined before the start of the game.

Ranking MLB's 10 Greatest Designated Hitters of All Time

• Frank Thomas. 8 of 10.
• Harold Baines. 7 of 10.
• Chili Davis. 6 of 10.
• Travis Hafner. 5 of 10.
• Jim Thome. 4 of 10.
• Paul Molitor. 3 of 10.
• Hal McRae. 2 of 10.
• Don Baylor. 1 of 10.

Mark McGwire Career Leaders & Records for AB per HR

The game itself is better without the designated hitter. There is more strategy involved with double switches, balance in the bullpen and the benches becoming more important, and that adds to the excitement of the game for players. Most of that is lost with the DH.

The DH may only be used for the pitcher (and not any other position player), as stated in Rule 5.11. Use of the DH is optional, but must be determined before the start of the game. If a team does not begin a game with a DH, the team's pitchers (or pinch hitters) must bat for the entire game.

Yes. Just like any other position in the lineup, both the DH and the person for whom the DH is hitting are starters, can have substitutes and may also re-enter the game one time. Any substitutions, however, cannot alter the batting order.

The DH must be selected prior to the game, and that selected hitter must come to bat at least one time -- unless the opposing team changes pitchers prior to that point. A team that chooses not to select a DH prior to a game is barred from using a DH for the rest of that game.

Mickey Mantle Mickey Mantle invented the modern switch-hitter. Before Mantle, the greatest switch-hitter in baseball history was probably Roger Connor, a 19th-century player who set baseball's first longstanding record for career home runs. Connor hit 138 homers. That record was broken by Babe Ruth in 1921.