Home Run Derby

The annual Home Run Derby will be held tonight in Anaheim, CA. When I was younger I loved watching the biggest stars hit the longest home runs--(enhanced) sluggers like Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa hit ridiculous shots into upper decks and completely out of the park. It seems as though this annual event has been changing over the years, however, and tonight appears to be a prime example of a new attitude towards the derby. This years field exhibits players such as Nick Swisher, Chris Young, Hanley Ramirez, Corey Hart, and Vernon Wells. Who exactly are these guys? Certainly they are not the premiere power hitters in the league. They are an eclectic group of above average hitters who were chosen only because those deserving to be in the tournament declined to participate. These true power hitters declined because of the growing belief that participating in the derby will alter their batting mechanics, resulting in a poor second half performance. Much has been made about former derby champion Bobby Abreu's comments on how the derby altered his swing and caused him to have a poor second half of the season. As an avid Cardinals fan, I recall both Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds' performance in the derby. Edmonds hurt himself during it and Pujols' batting average significantly tailed off in the second half. Both sluggers declined to participate a second time. I can't blame the players for opting out of an event that has proved itself detrimental to second half performance, but I still wish that more would sign up. In the meantime I suppose I'll watch a shortstop with 13 homers square off against the Yankees ninth place hitter.......