With all due respect to the prim-and-proper All-Star Game, it’s really baseball’s freewheeling, trash-talking, power-swinging Home Run Derby that gets people talking.
Sure, the steroids scandal makes the derby a guilty — OK, very guilty — pleasure, but it’s a show-stopper nonetheless.
Who can forget Josh Hamilton’s record-breaking 28 home runs in the first round last year in the old Yankee Stadium? Or long-shot Garret Anderson winning at U.S. Cellular Field in 2003? Or Sammy Sosa slugging 500-foot homers at Miller Park in 2002?
This year’s derby field is full of big names, big enough to create history of their own. Here they are, with their homers so far this season and Whizzer’s prediction about their chances.
NAME, HOME RUNS, HE SAID IT, WHIZZER PREDICTS
Prince Fielder
22
“The fans like it. I know the All-Star Game is ‘for real’ and everything, but I feel like it’s more for the fans. If they want to see me, I’ll be there.”
Fat chance (no pun intended?) that I suggest a Brewer will win this thing.
Adrian Gonzalez
24
“There’s always some fear of not hitting any home runs, although I wouldn’t be the first or the last to do that.”
You might not be the first, but you’ll finish last.
Ryan Howard
22
“For me, it’s just [about] going out there and having fun.”
The smart money is on Pujols, but the real money — meaning a longer shot and better payoff — is on Howard.
Albert Pujols
32
“Hopefully, I can perform good for the fans, and I’m pretty excited.”
He’s at home and he’s a home-run machine. Still, I see a disappointing night ahead for Sir Albert.
Nelson Cruz
22
“I think I have a chance. I don’t expect to hit 20 homers like Josh.”
I don’t think you have a chance.
Carlos Pena
24
“I’m not going to even pretend to play it cool or professional. I’m in shock. I’ve called half the world.”
Rooting for the Rays still seems weird, but I’ll do it anyway.
Joe Mauer
15
“I always told my buddies when we were younger — we always played it in the backyard and stuff like that — I always told them, ‘If I ever had the opportunity to do it, I would jump at it.’ “
Piranhas don’t hit homers. Fifteen get you in the derby?
Brandon Inge
21
“I don’t know what I’m going to do out there, but I’m also not sure how I’ve gotten to 21 in the first place.”
I’m not sure either, but you’ll have plenty of time to think about it after being ousted early.
– – –
Game 1: Cubs 7, Cardinals 3
Game 2: Cubs 2, Cardinals 4
Cubs making a move?
The Cubs are expected to make a run at former Toronto closer B.J. Ryan when he clears waivers Monday, possibly making room in the rotation for Sean Marshall. Ryan was put on waivers with$15 million remaining on his five-year, $47 million deal, but any team that claims him would have to pay the freight. After Ryan clears waivers, he becomes a free agent, and any team can sign him for $200,000 in ’09 and $400,000 in ’10.
Former Toronto outfielder Reed Johnson said Ryan “would be a great fit in this clubhouse,” but cautioned that several teams are likely to be interested in signing him.
Minnesota 13, White Sox 7
If there are any positive developments to take out of the White Sox’s 13-7 loss Sunday to the Twins, it’s that Mark Buehrle’s arm should be fresh for the second half and no one got hurt.
Buehrle, the Sox’s lone representative in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, was tagged for eight runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings — his shortest outing since lasting only 1 2/3 innings in the 2008 season opener at Cleveland. The loss stunted some of the momentum the Sox (45-43) had built toward the end of their first half that saw them win 17 of their final 26 to move into second place.
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