2007 Home Run Derby thread

[PhilaYank36]

I'm throwin' my vote to Howard. He's coming back around and I gotta support the Philly guy. And who do you think is the biggest WTF entry in this: Ordonez or Rios?

 

[BYH]

If you're sitting in right field, please, for the love of God, beat the **** out of Zach Hample.

 

[PhilaYank36]

BYH, you almost got me to threadjack my own thread. Anyway, who's going to hit the most balls into McCovey Cove?

 

[Freelance Hack]

Is it just me, or has the Home Run Derby, much like the Slam Dunk Contest, lost its appeal? I was not all that enthused about it this year, and that was before Griffey and Bonds declined to participate.

It's not a great live television event, and too many players have screwed up their swings (People's Evidence No. 1, Bobby Abreu) that it has impacted the remainder of their seasons.

 

[RedHotChiliPrepper]

Is it just me, or has the Home Run Derby, much like the Slam Dunk Contest, lost its appeal? I was not all that enthused about it this year, and that was before Griffey and Bonds declined to participate.

It's not a great live television event, and too many players have screwed up their swings (People's Evidence No. 1, Bobby Abreu) that it has impacted the remainder of their seasons.

I watch it every year and if I'm working, I tape it. I never get tired of seeing 480 or 500-foot home runs. And even before two Phillies won it in the last two years, it was always a don't-miss event for me.

Oh, and I'm taking Howard over Morneau in the finals.

 

[Mayfly]

Howard wins it again. Vlad surprises everyone with a mammoth shot into the glove in left-center.

 

[zeke12]

Fielder over Morneau in the finals.

Big guys have the advantage of being able to muscle out pitches they don't quite crush.

 

[Mayfly]

Do you think anyone will hit it over the scoreboard in center? Or over the bleachers in left?

 

[Eagleboy]

That's a solid line-up they've got this year, and it makes me happy to see that they're actually putting some effort into this. Unlike that damn Slam Dunk contest, who I'm convinced will be headlined next year by Brian Scalabrine and Ira Newble.

 

[slappy4428]

Actually, with no Berman doing this, aren't we all winners?

 

[markvid]

He's not? Who is?

 

[slappy4428]

Ahhh hell, never mind... I was hoping TBS had it too..

 

[slappy4428]

But you know... the pool IS up to about 600 bucks... and we WILL have an army out there....

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I'm with FH here. The Home Run Derby strikes me as a relic of the steroid era. The only one I saw was in '99, the pinnacle of steroid glory. The idea of home runs for their own sake caused baseball a lot of trouble, and I'm surprised they still beat the drum for this contest, which, this year, can't help but remind people of the issue.
You all do know they use baseballs that are slightly smaller than regulation? Right? Cause they do.

 

[slappy4428]

Chicks still dig the long ball...

 

[GB-Hack]

You'll need to scatch Cabrera from the list, he's out with a bad shoulder.

Replacement TBA as of ESPN's Sunday night game.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Since Guerrero is well known for swinging at pitches well out of his reach and making contact for homers, etc., I'm just curious who he's chosen to be his BP pitcher for the derby.

 

[MartinEnigmatica]

Rick Ankiel's probably free.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Rick Ankiel's probably free.

;D

 

[linotype]

You all do know they use baseballs that are slightly smaller than regulation? Right? Cause they do.

Yep, and also stitched much tighter, if I recall correctly, to ensure they behave like freaking Superballs when they bounce off the bat.