January 11, 1973
On this day in 1973, the American League adopted the designated hitter in Major League Baseball. The 24 major league owners took part in the vote to allow the one league to use a designated hitter in place of a pitcher. Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley was the biggest promoter of the rule change. Because the American League was well behind in attendance and run production, they were the only league that was allowed to use the DH. The National League did not want the change. As a result, the two leagues operated with different rules for the first time.