Please Note: Statistics through September 16, 2018Ever since its debut in 1973, the designated hitter has been a polarizing topic of conversation. Lou Gehrig accomplished the same feat in 1934 but finished fifth in the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award voting. In some ways, the designated hitter has become the Rodney Dangerfield of the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award. On occasion, a ball player’s performance as a designated hitter has successfully factored into them winning the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award. A lower than expected WAR and the stigma that accompanies the designated hitter position will also serve as challenges for Martinez.

Source: Forbes September 17, 2018 09:56 UTC