Happy 50th!

Setting off 50 years of debate over the purity of baseball, the designated hitter made its first appearance in Major League Baseball:

As usual, Blomberg glanced at the lineup card posted outside manager Ralph Houk’s office, searching for his name. It was in the No. 6 spot, between third baseman Graig Nettles and first baseman Felipe Alou. Blomberg’s position was identified as ‘DH’ -- destined to become the Major Leagues’ first designated hitter.

“I had no idea. I thought it was a big joke,” Blomberg said. “I looked at it as basically a glorified pinch-hitter. I thought it was going to last for three months. Who knew that one at-bat would change the whole game of baseball?” None of the 32,882 spectators on hand for that 1973 Opening Day contest had any idea that the DH would exhibit such staying power. 

More importantly, let's listen to ike & the Mad Dog go after each other in this classic of classic clips!!!