The 2019 Hall of Fame class will feature two closers (Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith) and two men who were primarily designated hitters (Edgar Martinez and Harold Baines).

 

Baseball's long history is relatively short in relation to the closer and the DH. It is noteworthy that both of these specialty roles will be recognized alongside the other greats of the game in Cooperstown.

 

On this new episode of "30 With Murti," we discuss the recognition of these positions.  

 

First, Sweeny Murti talks about Rivera, Smith and the closer's role with former Mets closer John Franco, who is fifth on the all-time saves list. Then Sweeny talks to former Yankee Ron Blomberg, the first person ever to come to bat as a designated hitter in 1973.  

 

Hear Franco make his case for more closers to be enshrined in the coming years. Then listen to Blomberg discuss the evolution of the DH and recall the moment he became the answer to a trivia question.