Where Would the DH Be Without These Guys?

Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Matthew Brown

The designated hitter was baseball’s most controversial innovation when it was first implemented in 1973, a position that split purists and pragmatists while creating a home for aging sluggers who could still turn on a fastball. With the purest of DHs, Edgar Martinez, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, we want to highlight the non-Hall of Famers who also helped define the position. These were the players who made the DH respectable, proving that sometimes the most important job is simply to hit—and hit they did, launching moonshots and driving in runs while never touching a glove.

Frank Howard: The Gentle Giant Who Could Launch Moonshots

Frank Howard was a 6’7″ gentle giant who could launch baseballs into orbit with his massive swing, a soft-spoken slugger whose 382 career home runs included some of the longest balls ever hit. The designated hitter position was introduced right before Howard retired. His transition to DH late in his career proved that sometimes the biggest players need the simplest job—just swing the bat and watch it fly. He was one of the first to innovate the position, earning his place on this list.

Jose Canseco: The Bash Brother Who Perfected the DH Art

Jose Canseco was born to be a designated hitter, a muscled monster who could launch 500-foot home runs without worrying about his defensive limitations. His 462 career home runs and controversial tell-all book made him baseball’s most famous whistleblower, proving that sometimes the most powerful swings come with the biggest secrets. When you had that much raw power and that little filter, the DH position was perfect—just step in the box and try not to break anything.

Hal McRae: The Original DH Who Made Kansas City Believe

Hal McRae was the designated hitter’s founding father, a professional hitter who turned Kansas City’s new position into an art form with his patient approach and clutch hitting. His .290 career average and three All-Star appearances proved that the DH could be more than just a place for aging sluggers—it could be a destination for pure hitters. When the American League needed someone to prove the DH concept worked, McRae was the perfect ambassador for baseball’s most controversial innovation.

Don Baylor: The Human Hit-By-Pitch Who Terrorized Pitchers

Don Baylor was the most intimidating designated hitter in baseball, a fearless slugger who crowded the plate and dared pitchers to challenge him inside. His 338 career home runs and record 267 hit-by-pitches made him the perfect DH—dangerous at the plate and dangerous to face. When you played with that much intensity and absorbed that much punishment, every at-bat became a test of wills between hitter and pitcher.

Cecil Fielder: The Big Daddy Who Made Detroit Rock Again

Cecil Fielder was a mountain of a man who could launch baseballs into the upper deck at Tiger Stadium, a gentle giant whose 319 career home runs included the first 50-homer season in 13 years. His massive frame and sweet swing made him the perfect designated hitter, proving that sometimes the biggest players need the simplest job. When you could hit the ball that far and that high, defense became an afterthought and pure power became poetry.

Chili Davis: The Switch-Hitting Veteran Who Aged Like Fine Wine

Chili Davis was the switch-hitting master who found new life as a designated hitter, a professional hitter who could turn on fastballs from both sides of the plate well into his 40s. His 350 career home runs and clutch hitting made him the perfect veteran presence, proving that sometimes wisdom beats youth. When you could hit from both sides and had seen every pitch in the book, the DH position became your personal showcase for a lifetime of hitting knowledge.

Rusty Staub: Le Grand Orange Who Made the DH Look Easy

Rusty Staub was the redheaded hitting machine who made the designated hitter position look effortless, a pure contact hitter who could spray line drives to all fields with his picture-perfect swing. His .279 career average and professional approach made him the ideal DH, proving that sometimes the most important skill is simply making contact. When you had that sweet a swing and that much baseball intelligence, hitting became an art form that transcended positions.

Tommy Davis: The Batting Champion Who Extended His Career

Tommy Davis was a two-time batting champion who found new life as a designated hitter, extending his career by focusing solely on what he did best—hit line drives. His .294 career average and smooth swing made him one of the early DH success stories, proving that pure hitters could thrive in the American League’s new position. Sometimes the most beautiful careers are the ones that adapt and evolve, and Davis showed that hitting never goes out of style.

Rico Carty: The Big Boy Who Could Still Hit at 40

Rico Carty was the Dominican slugger who proved that hitting ability never ages, a big man with a sweet swing who could still drive in runs well into his 40s. His .299 career average and clutch hitting made him the perfect designated hitter, showing that sometimes experience beats youth. When you had that much natural hitting ability and that much baseball wisdom, age became just a number and the DH position became your fountain of youth.

Cliff Johnson: The Pinch-Hit King Who Found His Home

Cliff Johnson was baseball’s ultimate clutch hitter, a pinch-hit specialist who found his perfect home as a designated hitter where he could focus on driving in runs. His 196 career home runs and his then-record 20 pinch-hit homers proved that some players are born to hit in pressure situations. When you specialized in coming through when it mattered most, the DH position was like having Christmas morning every day—just step in and deliver.

Greg Luzinski: The Bull Who Terrorized American League Pitching

Greg Luzinski was nicknamed “The Bull” for his massive frame and powerful swing, a Philadelphia slugger who found new life as Chicago’s designated hitter. His 307 career home runs and intimidating presence made him the perfect DH, proving that sometimes a change of scenery and position can revitalize a career. When you were that big and that strong, the designated hitter position was like being given a license to launch baseballs into orbit.

Dave Kingman: Kong’s Towering Home Runs and Mysterious Personality

Dave Kingman was baseball’s most enigmatic slugger, a towering presence who could hit 500-foot home runs or strike out swinging with equal ease. His 442 career home runs and mysterious personality made him the perfect designated hitter—all power, no explanation needed. When you could hit the ball that far and cared that little about what people thought, the DH position became your personal launching pad for moonshots and controversy. Having played mostly in the National League, Kingman’s tenure with the A’s gave him a heavy dose of DH opportunities in the last three years of his career.

Ken Phelps: The Home Run King Who Never Got His Due

Ken Phelps was the ultimate what-if story, a pure power hitter who could launch home runs at a historic rate but never got the playing time to prove it over a full season. His 123 home runs in limited action made him the perfect designated hitter, proving that sometimes the most dangerous weapons are the ones kept in reserve. When you could hit home runs at that rate but couldn’t get consistent at-bats, the DH position was your only chance to show what you could really do.

Jack Clark: The Ripper Who Found Power in the AL

Jack Clark was nicknamed “The Ripper” for his ability to tear the cover off baseballs, a pure power hitter who found new life as a designated hitter in the American League. His 340 career home runs and violent swing made him the perfect DH, proving that sometimes the most dangerous hitters are the ones who can focus solely on hitting. When you could rip line drives and launch moonshots with equal ferocity, the designated hitter position was your personal demolition zone.

Matt Stairs: The Unlikely Hero Who Specialized in Clutch

Matt Stairs was the most unlikely hero in baseball, a stocky Canadian who specialized in clutch home runs and became the perfect designated hitter for teams that needed instant offense. His 265 career home runs and MLB record for most career pinch-hit home runs (23) proved that sometimes the most important players are the ones who show up when it matters most. When you could come off the bench and launch game-changing home runs, the DH position was your personal stage for October magic.

Travis Hafner: Pronk’s Monster Years in Cleveland

Travis Hafner was nicknamed “Pronk” for his combination of “project” and “donkey,” but his monster years as Cleveland’s designated hitter were pure thoroughbred power. His 213 career home runs and incredible 2006 season made him the perfect modern DH, proving that sometimes the most unlikely nicknames hide the most dangerous hitters. When you could launch 40 home runs from the DH spot and drive in 100 runs, being called Pronk became a badge of honor.

Jason Giambi: The Mustache That Powered Late-Career Magic

Jason Giambi’s legendary mustache and clutch hitting made him the perfect designated hitter, a former MVP who found new life focusing solely on what he did best—hit home runs. His 440 career home runs and infectious personality proved that sometimes the most successful transitions are the ones that embrace change. When you could grow a mustache that epic and still launch moonshots in your late 30s, the DH position was your personal fountain of youth and facial hair.

Nelson Cruz: The Ageless Wonder Who Perfected the DH Role

Nelson Cruz was the ageless wonder who proved that designated hitters could get better with age, a Dominican slugger who hit more home runs after 35 than most players hit in their entire careers. His 464 career home runs and professional approach made him the modern template for what a DH should be. When you could hit 30 home runs at age 40 and make it look effortless, the designated hitter position became your personal time machine.

Victor Martinez: V-Mart’s Sweet Swing and Professional Approach

Victor Martinez was the switch-hitting perfectionist who made the transition from catcher to designated hitter look seamless, a professional hitter who could spray line drives from both sides of the plate. His .295 career average and clutch hitting made him the ideal modern DH, proving that sometimes the best hitters are the ones who make contact look effortless. When you had that sweet a swing and that much baseball intelligence, the DH position became your personal hitting laboratory.

Billy Butler: Country Breakfast’s Pure Hitting Ability

Billy Butler was nicknamed “Country Breakfast” for his hefty frame and hearty appetite for hitting, a pure contact hitter who made the designated hitter position look like the most natural thing in the world. His .290 career average and professional approach proved that sometimes the most effective DHs are the ones who simply know how to hit, regardless of their athletic limitations. When you could hit around .300 and drive in runs without worrying about defense, the DH position was your personal buffet table for baseball success.