"I wonder why there is a designated hitter in baseball after all these years? As an experiment, it seemed like a swell enough idea, but you would think the novelty would have worn off by now and everyone would get back to playing baseball"

The quote by Jay Mohr reflects a vital view of the designated hitter (DH) guideline in baseball. Presented in the American League in 1973, the DH guideline allows teams to use a gamer to bat in location of the pitcher, who normally has weaker batting skills. Mohr's musings suggest a sense of fond memories and a choice for conventional baseball, where pitchers both pitch and bat.

Mohr starts by expressing curiosity about the continued existence of the DH after several years. This implies an expectation that the guideline, at first an experimental change, might have been a short-lived development rather than an irreversible fixture. His use of the word "novelty" highlights the belief that it remains an uncommon departure from traditional baseball functions. The notion that the "novelty would have diminished by now" suggests Mohr's belief that basic aspects of the video game ought to remain consistent over time, protecting its initial form.

Furthermore, Mohr contrasts this viewpoint with the expression "get back to playing baseball". This suggests that, in his view, the essence of baseball includes every gamer participating completely in both offense and defense. The DH guideline, in this sense, interrupts the balance and pureness of the video game, producing a divide in between the leagues that embrace or reject it. The subtext of Mohr's remarks might be viewed as a purist stance that values custom over development.

This quote also opens a more comprehensive discussion about the evolution of sports rules and customs. While some might view these changes as progress, others, like Mohr, might see them as a departure from the authentic experience that defines the sport. The designated hitter remains a polarizing subject, showing broader disputes over how baseball should progress while respecting its abundant history.