Phillies Owner’s Fishing Trip Consequence

In 1980, National League owners met to vote on adopting the designated hitter rule that the American League had used since 1973, but Philadelphia Phillies owner Ruly Carpenter was away on a family fishing trip and had simply instructed vice president Bill Giles to vote for the change, with the Pittsburgh Pirates set to follow the Phillies’ lead. When the discussion turned to delaying implementation and Giles could not reach Carpenter, he chose to abstain, the Pirates did the same, and the proposal ended with four votes in favor, five against, and three abstentions, short of the needed majority. Because the motion failed, the National League did not permanently adopt the designated hitter until 2022.

Previous Fact Next Fact