Madison Bumgarner has long been one of the best hitting pitchers in MLB, and someone who takes pride in that reputation. With the introduction of the universal DH for 2020, however, the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher’s hitting days may be over.
With speculation that the DH could remain in the National League even after the sport has returned to normal, it’s possible that we’ve already seen the last of pitchers hitting. Bumgarner certainly didn’t seem happy with the rule change, but admitted there was nothing he could really do about it.
#Dbacks Madison Bumgarner on the universal DH: "Obviously my thoughts don’t really matter on that deal (laughs). I do what I’m told. I’ll sit there and pitch and that’s it for now. I think that’s obviously where everybody wants the game to go so it is what it is."
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 5, 2020
Bumgarner clearly takes pride in his hitting. Though he’s a career .177 hitter, he does have 19 career home runs, and has twice won the NL Silver Slugger award for his position. He’s even shown interest in participating in the Home Run Derby.
For now, the NL will go back to its normal rules in 2021. However, considering there was growing momentum toward a universal DH even before the sport was forced into its 2020 rule changes, one has to wonder if we’ve seen the last of pitchers hitting. Bumgarner clearly seems to hope not, but it’s not up to him.
