Homerun Derby Preview

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 14, 2008 10:01 AM CDT Comment 26 comments

Here's what the homerun derby competition looks like

Lance Berkman-22 homeruns

Ryan Braun-23 homeruns

Josh Hamilton-21 homeruns

Evan Longoria-16 homeruns

Justin Morneau-14 homeruns

Grady Sizemore-23 homeruns

Dan Uggla-23 homeruns

Chase Utley-25 homeruns

I need more words so I figured I'd say that it has officially been announced that Ben Sheets will start for the NL. I also figured I'd say that the celebrity softball game is on after the homerun derby. It's an official fanpost now.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I'll post a front-page open thread for the derby later this afternoon.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 14, 2008 10:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about making this the thread

But I figured you’d probably make one.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 14, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Per BoDog...

the official odds:

Chase Utley (PHI)
5/1

Dan Uggla (FLA)
7/1

Grady Sizemore (CLE)
6/1

Evan Longoria (TB)
15/2

Josh Hamilton (TEX)
5/2

Lance Berkman (HOU)
7/2

Ryan Braun (MIL)
13/2

Justin Morneau (MIN)
5/1

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jul 14, 2008 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If I were a betting man,

I’d put my money on Josh Hamilton to win the derby. Also, I hate to admit this, but I think it’s fun to watch the celebrity softball game.

by inukjim on Jul 14, 2008 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I agree on both points. My money is definitely on a left handed hitter to win. I think it will either be Hamilton or Berkman. I have my fingers crossed for Hamilton.

I find the celebrity softball game to be a bit of a guilty pleasure. It’s fun to laugh at them.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jul 14, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like both

I like both.

If I were a betting man first I’d have to have a sex change operation but if I were I’d also put money on Hamilton.

Go Cubs

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 14, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if you wagered astutely...

...your winnings might cover the cost of the surgery. I say go for it.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 14, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is kind of fun

to see the celebrities are just as bad at some of this stuff as some of us regular people.

by inukjim on Jul 14, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is

I love that and the celebrity basketball game.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 14, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Dan Uggla!

He had a breakout year in college in 2001 at the Univ. of Memphis with 18 home runs. I was surprised to see him in person in AA with the Tennessee Smokies (then a D-Backs affiliate) in 2005 in a game in Huntsville. I am glad the Columbia, TN, native has been able to not only make it, but be a star at the big league level. Before Uggla, Charlie Lea and Dave Anderson had the best major league careers of any former Memphis State or Univ of Memphis Tigers.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 14, 2008 11:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I want Hamilton and Morneau in the final...

...and let everyone hear about this guy’s amazing comeback story on a national stage.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Jul 14, 2008 11:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rooting for Hamilton, but...

...living in Tampa for many years, it hurts somewhat that he’s doing this in a Texas uniform.

The Rays gave him chance after chance after chance, and finally had to move him just to give him a fresh start.

With the Rays recent offensive struggles, it hurts even more.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Softball game televised?

I didn’t even know they had one, but I’ll give it a shot if the HR derby doesn’t last forever.

Dave

by Dave in the basement on Jul 14, 2008 11:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's on ESPN

Right after the homerun derby.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 14, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Am I the only one

not very excited by who is participating in the Homerun Derby? I used to really look forward to this event but this year leaves me with a kind of “who cares” attitude.

If the celebrity softball game is on, I will probably enjoy that more.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Jul 14, 2008 12:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree Tucson

This lineup looks like it’s capable of having 2-3 guys not hit any homers at all.

"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly

by McRipper on Jul 14, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about that this morning

Very interesting that with the steroids stuff that’s gone on, the HR derby seems to have taken on a youth movement. There really aren’t any of the old big names. So these are the new faces of baseball’s power hitter sector.

by cubsonWGN4ever on Jul 14, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I thought the same thing about the steriods. You definitely don’t see the 525 ft home runs anymore. Still, I think players like Dunn, Howard, Fielder, etc, the guys that can hit the ball a mile should get invites every year. Just please don’t do the “International HRD” like they did a couple years ago when players played from different countries. That was stupid.

"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly

by McRipper on Jul 14, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this guy agrees with me

This is from an article written by John Donovan over at SI.com

Maybe this is simply a sign of the times, a mirroring of the apparent move away from the juiced-up sluggers that have dominated the game (and, perhaps, this Derby) during baseball’s Steroids Era. Maybe it’s a full changing of the guard as the older sluggers of the 1990s give way to baseball’s next wave. Maybe it’s just that the Derby, though still an immensely popular event on an otherwise barren sports television stage at this time of the year, has run its course with those asked to participate in it.

by cubsonWGN4ever on Jul 14, 2008 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Daver's picks

Fat Elvis holds off feel-good-guy Hamilton to take the crown. Grady Sizemore, intent on salvaging some dignity for his ailing team, grinds out a third place finish. Uggla and Braun both turn in respectable performances for the NL but can never quite find their respective strokes. Morneau mourns a few too many pop flies. Utley inadvertantly reveals that his line drives don’t cut it in the Derby, and new guy Longoria is befuddled by stagefright.

BOOK IT!!!

1. Lance Berkman (HOU) : 7/2 odds: .653 SLG: 188 OPS+ The Winner!

2. Josh Hamilton (TEX) : 5/2 odds: .552 SLG: 144 OPS+

3. Grady Sizemore (CLE): 6/1 odds: .539 SLG: 140 OPS+

4. Dan Uggla (FLA): 7/1 odds: .605 SLG: 157 OPS+

5. Ryan Braun (MIL): 13/2 odds: .549 SLG: 125 OPS+

6. Justin Morneau (MIN): 5/1 odds: .512 SLG: 146 OPS+

7. Chase Utley (PHI): 5/1 odds: .582 SLG: 144 OPS+

8. Evan Longoria (TB) : 15/2 odds: .513 SLG: 131 OPS+

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 14, 2008 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL @ their in-game slugging percentages and OPS+ against hard-throwing pitchers actually having something to do with an ability to hit BP balls out of the park

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 14, 2008 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I guess you're right.

The numbers were more to satisy my own curiousity than anything, and I thought I’d share.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 14, 2008 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a good summary of their seasons, but like you said, probably not very useful for the HRD.

by northsider on Jul 14, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, I got pwned.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 15, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The conventional wisdom

is that this contest can really mess with a guy’s swing. It never seemed to hurt Bonds or Sosa particularly, but then they always seemed to be going for the long ball anyway. If this theory holds water, pleasepleaseplease let it screw up Braun! That would be the most enjoyable possible outcome for this fan.

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jul 14, 2008 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I must confess...

...the same dark thought has passed through my mind. I find myself thinking, “I hope Braun wins the Derby running away … and then doesn’t homer again for the rest of the season.”

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 14, 2008 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs