MLB batting average lowest since 1972 _ before DH

The final numbers are in, and Major League Baseball’s batting average hasn’t been this low since Richard Nixon was in the White House, a gallon of gasoline cost 55 cents and the designated hitter was a radical proposal limited to spring training experiments.

Big league hitters batted .251 this year, down two points from last season and 20 points lower than the Steroids Era peak in 1999.

The last time the average dripped this low was at .244 in 1972 an offensive death that prompted owners to let American League teams start using DHs the following year.

Colorado’s Justin Morneau won the NL batting title at .319 the lowest for a batting champion in either league since the late Tony Gwynn hit .313 for San Diego in 1988.

“This season I’ve noticed each team you go up against you’re always facing ‘that guy,’ and it tends to be three, if not four or five times out of the rotation.” Teams averaged 4.07 runs per game, the lowest since 1981 and down from 5.14 in 2000, when sluggers ruled the field and performance-enhancing drugs were rampant.

Teams averaged 7.70 per game, up from 4.77 in 1979.