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Definition of designated hitter
1 : a baseball player designated at the start of the game to bat in place of the pitcher without causing the pitcher to be removed from the game
2 : representative, substitute
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Synonyms for designated hitter
Synonyms
- backup,
- cover,
- fill-in,
- locum tenens,
- pinch hitter,
- relief,
- replacement,
- reserve,
- stand-in,
- sub,
- substitute
Examples of designated hitter in a Sentence
you'll have to be my designated hitter in the office while I'm on business trips
Recent Examples on the Web The Oregon designated hitter hit .563 in the opening weekend trip to Arizona and kept his hot streak alive by going 3 for 4 with a walk-off RBI single to give the Ducks a 3-2 win over Nevada in their home opener Friday night at PK Park.
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James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, "Kenyon Yovan walk-off single gives Oregon baseball win in home opener," 22 Feb. 2020 Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia reportedly told Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez the Sox believed the Tigers were stealing signs from someone in the outfield.
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Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Baseball’s sign-stealing controversy is an old story with a modern, high-tech twist," 15 Nov. 2019 Alvarez is first full-time designated hitter to win the award since Bob Hamelin, who won the award in 1994 with the Kansas City Royals.
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Scott Boeck, USA TODAY, "Astros slugger Yordan Álvarez – who played 87 games – is unanimous AL Rookie of the Year," 11 Nov. 2019 RF Mookie Betts returned as Boston’s designated hitter after missing two games with a jammed toe.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, "Núñez hits 30th homer, Orioles beat Red Sox 4-1," 27 Sep. 2019 Utilityman Blake Swihart served as designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two strikeouts for High-A affiliate Visalia of the California League Friday night.
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Michelle Gardner, azcentral, "Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo sees double standard in Ketel Marte ejection," 20 July 2019 The only Seattle player to reach base was designated hitter Omar Narvaez, who walked with one out in the fifth inning.
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Joe Reedy, chicagotribune.com, "Angels combine for a no-hitter, Mike Trout drives in 6 in honor of late teammate Tyler Skaggs," 13 July 2019 The only Seattle player to reach base was designated hitter Omar Narvaez, who walked with one out in the fifth inning.
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Washington Post, "Angels’ Cole, Peña combine for no-hitter against Mariners," 13 July 2019 Edgar Martinez, who was the great third baseman/designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners from 1987 to 2004, will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y.
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Los Angeles Times, "Morning Briefing: Alex Rodriguez pays tribute to Edgar Martinez," 18 July 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'designated hitter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for designated hitter
The first known use of designated hitter was in 1928
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