Major League Baseball "Home Run Derby" Talkback

[Duke]

http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/sports.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/mlb.jpg

It's time once again for everybody's favorite pre-All Star festival celebrating the most amazing aspect of Major League Baseball: The Home Run.

Despite the presence of steroids, the home runs are still flying, and people still love them. Thus, the golden standard in baseball is still the long ball, which is why the Home Run Derby is still an excellent venue.

Last year, Bobby Abreau surprised everyone by not only making it to the finals, but setting a record with 24 home runs in Round 1 and 41 overall. Unfortunately, he won't be able to repeat his performance, due to his not being in the lineup. But the winner two years ago, Miguel Tejada, is in the lineup tonight. Can he outslug the mighty Big Papi and the current favorite for NL MVP, David Wright? Will the typically not-over-powering Miguel Cabrera surprise people? Can Jermaine Dye prove that he can hit them anytime, anywhere? Will Ryan Howard manage to defeat his rivals, or will Lance Berkman emerge from the pile? Or could Troy Glaus prove that he shouldn't be ignored? Time to let the balls fly!

The Lineup:
- Player Name (Team): HR so far this season

American League:
- Miguel Tejada (Baltimore Orioles): 17 HRs
- Troy Glaus (Toronto Blue Jays): 23 HRs
- David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox): 31 HRs
- Jermaine Dye (Chicago White Sox): 25 HRs

National League:
- Miguel Cabrera (Florida Marlins): 15 HRs
- David Wright (New York Mets): 20 HRs
- Lance Berkman (Houston Astros): 24 HRs
- Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies): 28 HRs

[sag_2002]

A small rules change this year: Home runs from round 1 DO carry over to round 2. The rest of the Derby is left unchanged.

So far, not quite as much action as last year, when Abreau absolutely owned the Derby (24 in the first round alone, almost triple what the first three guys combined have as I'm typing this), but it's still early.

Also, it's kinda odd not hearing Boomer's voice this year. He's there, but the Baseball Tonight team is handling most of the commentary.

[email2003]

I was going for Lance Berkman but it seems 3 HRS aint gonna get him far.

[BCVM22]

Abreu. A-B-R-E-U.

I don't normally say this, but David Ortiz is a stud.

Ryan Howard is country strong power behind a left-handed bat.

David Wright and Miguel Cabrera surprised me, given PNC's favoring of lefty batters over righties.

Clearly Lance Berkman should have eaten more Twinkies prior to the Derby.

More to come.

[sag_2002]

Ryan Howard ends with 19. It'll be Howard vs. David Wright for the Home Run Derby crown.

[Condiment King]

David Wright did this NY Met fan proud. Honestly, I didn't expect him to get that far.

[Duke]

I liked the interplay between Kruk & Reynolds.

I miss Berman calling ball games. It's been way too long since he's shouted "Back, Back, Back, GONE!" in an actual ball game. I know he's mainly football nowadays, but still...

[Condiment King]

I liked the interplay between Kruk & Reynolds.

I miss Berman calling ball games. It's been way too long since he's shouted "Back, Back, Back, GONE!" in an actual ball game. I know he's mainly football nowadays, but still...
He still calls about a game a week, though not enough. ESPN's #1 team should be Berman and Hershiser since basically everyone else (especially Miller & Morgan) are terrible at their chosen profession. Hell, the ESPN Deportes guys are better than Miller & Morgan.

[Duke]

Heh. I liked that Ryan Howard managed to hit it into the river on the fly, what, 4 times? That was pretty cool.

[Moto Pete]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar06/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2514576

Home Run Derby Curse

[Duke]

I'd care more about this if not for the fact that all these Home Run Derby winners continue to drive in runs.

And it's not like Abreu was a power threat before the HR Derby to begin with...

[BCVM22]

Abreu was swinging out of his shoes for every home run he hit in the 2005 Derby, and clearly that affected his power stroke in the 2nd half.

Watch Ryan Howard from last night, and it's obvious even to people who think this year's All-Star jerseys are well-designed that Howard's swings were even, effortless, level batting practice swings, and he was still hitting the Allegheny River on the fly.

Yeah. He's that strong.

The point is that Ryan Howard clearly did a better job of controlling himself and his swing during this year's Derby than Abreu did in 2005. I don't forsee any significant power drop in the 2nd half for Howard.

[FireStarterLE]

heh, do votes still count if the Derby was last night?

*sarcasm* wouldnt the Home Run Derby be even better for hitters if they added the homeruns each player hit to their season totals? That would so be just like the All Star Game ... hopefully Selig doesnt read this board, he may start getting ideas if he hasnt already *end*

i didnt start watching it till they were in the final four since my summer class lets out late, but it was pretty good in the last round. Especially since the last homerun that Howard hit smacked that "Win 500 Flights" sign