Tag: Dan Driessen

This day in baseball: First NL DH

October 16, 2016

Dan Driessen of the Reds became the first National League player to be used as a designated hitter during the first game of the 1976 World Series.  From 1973 to 1975, though the DH had been employed in the American League, all World Series games were played under National League rules, with no DH and pitchers batting.

Starting in 1976, the DH rule applied to all games in the World Series, regardless of venue, but only in even-numbered years.  Beginning in 1986, the DH rule was used in games played in the stadium of the American League representative.

dan_driessen_autograph
baseball-almanac.com

This day in baseball: The NL DH

October 16, 2013
Photo source: The Baseball Almanac

On 16 October 1976, Dan Driessen of the Cincinnati Reds became the first National League player to be used as a designated hitter in a World Series game.  During Game 1 of the Series against the New York Yankees, Driessen went 0-for-4, but he would make up for it as the Series went on, hitting .357 overall with five hits, including two doubles and a home run.  The Reds ended up sweeping New York on their way to their second consecutive World Series championship.