There are still many in the game of baseball that prefer the old school rules of the National League. Having the pitcher hit at the bottom of the lineup creates a more strategic game with a greater emphasis on manager decisions. A lot of managers prefer the NL rules because it gives them more control in the outcome of the game, which leads to them receiving more credit when they succeed. Bench players are used more for pinch hitting or running. A manager needs to decide whether to pinch hit for a pitcher that is still throwing strong in favor of increasing their odds of a timely hit with a man in scoring position late in a game. The art of the sacrifice bunt comes into use far more often, as most teams will ask their pitcher to bunt whenever they are given the opportunity to move runners over. Some pitchers prefer playing in the NL because they actually like getting the opportunity to hit. If nothing else, they certainly enjoy facing weaker lineups where they get to face the opposing pitcher a couple times per game.
There are enough people in the game that favor these rules to keep the old school NL style around, but the DH used in the AL still has an important place in baseball. For starters, it creates stronger lineups, which leads to more scoring. They say chicks dig the long ball. In general, fans are in favor of more scoring. This is particularly the case with the casual fans, who aren't typically drawn in by low scoring pitching duels. MLB is a business, so their top priority is to draw fans in order to make money.
It's not as if the NL is incapable of scoring runs. The top scoring teams almost always come from the AL, but last year 5 of the top 10 scoring teams came from the NL, with Milwaukee finishing 3rd overall. Since 2000, at least 3 of the top 10 teams in runs scored have come from the NL. However, the bottom of that list has always been littered with mostly NL teams and the AL has outscored the senior circuit overall in every season during that span.
The benefits of having a DH extend beyond an increase in runs scored. It has served as a life line to extend the careers of older players that aren't able to play the field on an everyday basis. As players age, they begin to break down. Not only does that sap them of their defensive range, but it makes them more prone to injuries. Allowing them to DH, at least on a part time basis, helps keep them healthier and more productive. It also protects teams against defensive liabilities that could cost their teams nearly as much (if not more) than the player gains by having his bat in the line up.
What place would there be in this game for a player like David Ortiz if not for the DH position? Even at age 37, Big Papi can still rake with the best of them. He hit a very productive .318/.415/.611 last season, before an Achilles injury ended his season. Ortiz has never been known for his glove, which is why he's primarily been a DH in his career, with only the occasional cameo appearance at first base. At his age, there's no way he could play defense everyday, yet he can still help the Red Sox with his bat. Having the DH position available has extended his career by several years already. Under NL rules, he likely would have been forced into retirement years ago.
The DH can also be useful as a way to keep players fresh. The grueling 162 game schedule is a marathon and these days few players manage to stay in the lineup for all of them. Not every team has an everyday player that is limited to DH duties all the time the way Ortiz is. A lot of teams rotate players through the position to give their players half a day off as a way to give them some extra rest without taking their potent bats out of the lineup.
While most agree that having a different set of rules in both leagues is good for baseball, it can lead to inconsistencies that create issues during interleague play. This is more relevant now that the leagues have an uneven number of teams and there is always an interleague series being played throughout the season. Teams like Boston that have a primary DH are at a disadvantage when they travel to NL ballparks because they are faced with the tough decision of taking one of their better hitters out of the lineup. Either Ortiz has to sit or he has to play first base. Not only is that a defensive downgrade, but their usual first baseman (this year it's Mike Napoli) either has to sit or be moved to another position. Either way, someone is getting bumped out of the lineup in favor of a pitcher. AL pitchers generally aren't used to hitting or bunting, so pitchers that have spent most of their careers in the AL usually become an automatic out. In recent years we have also seen pitchers get injured swinging a bat or running the bases because it's not something they are used to doing. For NL teams, they are also at a disadvantage when they travel to AL ballparks because their teams aren't built to include a DH. They end up using someone that is typically a bench player or pinch hitter for that role, but that usually puts them at a disadvantage matching up against an AL team with a DH like Ortiz.To rectify the aforementioned issues with interleague play, it would make more sense to use the DH in both leagues. The DH isn't going away because the players union would never allow it considering it would take away too many jobs for veteran players. If anything, it's more likely that the NL would adopt the DH rule because it would serve to increase jobs. Under the current rules, older players that are unable to provide value on the defensive side are limited to signing with only half the teams in the majors, which drives down their market value.
Love it or hate it, the DH is here to stay. We may be a long way off from the NL adopting it as well - if that ever happens - but there are plenty of reasons why the DH is good for baseball.
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