Jul
13
2009 Homerun Derby Thread
By
It’s hard to believe the 2009 Homerun Derby is already upon us, it seems like we’re just now coming down from the Josh Hamilton high of last year (no pun intended, I swears it). Ben and I were in the rightfield upper deck for that show, and it’s hard to imagine anyone one-upping that anytime soon. It would be cool if someone did though.
Here are the eight participants, listed alphabetically because I have no idea what order they’re going in.
American League
Nelson Cruz
Brandon Inge
Joe Mauer
Carlos Pena
National League
Adrian Gonzalez
Prince Fielder
Ryan Howard
Albert Pujols
Just so I can gloat later, my money’s on Pena. Enjoy the Derby.
Photo Credit: Julie Jacobson, AP
Pujols. In his home ball park. (With the candlestick)
Drinking Game:
Everytime Chris Berman says “Back, back, back…”, etc.
or
Everytime Peter Gammons manages to squeeze in a compliment about the Red Sox.
Either way, you’re getting hammered.
Hahahahaha!
I only half half a split wine bottle left though!
It won’t take long. 8:07, 8:08 tops.
If you want to REALLY get hammered, just take a shot every time Berman makes an ass of himself.
Which is pretty much every time he opens his mouth.
Or, everytime Berman loses his breath at the end of a sentence.
If gammons was pretty ridiculous with tazawa and kelly, although kelly did impress me with his control
Really his control was nothing special, unless your name is Joba. ZZZINNNNGGG!!
How about a drink every time Berman gives someone a ridiculous, nonsensical nickname? That’s what my friends and I planned.
Adrien Gonzalez FTW
Spelling his name wrong, ftl.
Jeez, never good when you fuck up the name of your pick.
I want to see Prince go on a run
Way to heavy. Will be exhausted by the end of Round 2. He is my pick for the longest homer of the night though.
I’m amazed at how fast fans have dumped Joba. I thought he was so popular, but in every Halladay trade/fan poll I’ve seen, he is by FAR the one they’d most like to see traded for Doc.
I’d trade either (not both) Hughes or Joba, because Halladay is THAT special a pitcher. But I thought it would be more evenly split between him and Hughes.
It just goes to show you what the power of tEh EiGtH will do.
It’s the “what have you done lately” phenomenon, I suppose.
Its that, but I also think the comments he’s made recently have REALLY turned fans off. They think he doesn’t care, or that he’s a spoiled brat athlete. They don’t understand the value of putting things behind you as a pitcher.
IPK was trying to say the same thing last year, and was equally misunderstood and excoriated for it.
+A lot. I always find it silly when people get pissy if pitchers don’t beat themselves up over bad outings.
They shouldn’t, but there’s a way to say these things and a way not to. Especially here in NY. Joba just hasn’t learned how to do that yet.
That’s true, too.
What have you done for me lately, joba is not above reproach.
I wouldn’t trade any
It’s insane. Really.
I agree. There’s no way you’re getting Doc w/o including one of Joba or Hughes, it’s just not going to happen.
The thing is that Joba’s missing some velocity whereas Hughes has picked some up. Hughes is also a year younger and has a year less of service time. Hughes also appears to be a bit more levelheaded, but that part is based on observation and not fact.
Personally, yeah, I would like to see them make a run at Doc. They’re in a position to do some damage in the postseason, and they’d have him for this year’s run and next year’s as well. Mo, Jorge and Jeter aren’t getting any younger.
So, what package would you give up?
It’s Roy Halladay, so you have to give up two studs and feel pain, but you can’t give up Joba and Montero in the same package. Maybe if Halladay was signed for another year or two, but not just one.
I’d start with Joba and Jackson, and offer Pena since they can use a shortstop. Add in a low level/high upside arm like Betances or Arodys (preferably Betances), and you might have yourself a deal. It would be nice if Pena could hit a little bit more though.
I could live with that.
The problem is that Pena probably isn’t enough.
George King of the Post (I know) had Hughes or Joba, Austin Jackson and Austin Romine as the framework of a deal. That sounds about right to me.
The Jays would probably want Hughes and Montero in the same deal.
If your the Jays Mike, would you accept a deal of Joba, A-Jax, Pena and Betances? Be fair.
I’d want a better shortstop. Someone like Lowrie or Brignac or Brandon Wood.
I’m with you Mike. Roy Halladay is so special, and it even goes beyond his own performances as AJ will be the first to tell you. The way this team has played against the better teams (Sox/Phillies/Angels) has to concern you a bit as a fan who’s looking for this team to go deep into the playoffs. A bold move isn’t a crazy thing to do.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/?p=5397
Anyway, here’s my take on it. Too much to unpack to get into here.
I like to check other sites to see what the irrational fan is thinking, and there are lots of hypothetical trade proposals floating about that have Joba + some others for (insert big name player here)
I saw one that said David Robertson and Melky…
D-Rob and Melky for Han-Ram.
throw in teh oogla and now we’re talkin.
I think we should get Josh Johnson, too. I’m sure they’d want Igawa, though.
It just shows you how fickel fans can be.
First Hughes was the darling and then Joba was the darling and now it’s sorta back to Hughes.
Both are young pitchers who are not immune to trials and tribulations of baseball life (or life period).
If this situation arose at the same time last year, everyone would say to trade Hughes.
Exactly.
Mariano Rivera will win the Home Run Derby.
He probably could.
Very doubtful.
I lost to him in MVP Baseball 2005. Apparently on All-Star mode he can hit 400 foot bombs.
I’m pretty excited for the Ball Track technology they’re introducing. see: http://www.hardballtimes.com/m.....-baseball/
Prince all the way
David Cook? I immediately regret the decision to turn on ESPN.
yea pretty hard to sit through that.
Maybe Pena messes him swing up. That can only be good for us
Pena is my choice to win. So yeah, I hope he gets abreu’d
Damn, singing really shouldn’t be this hard.
I could let you all know about my taste of music but then I’d never see the light of RAB again. So I won’t
It’s gotta be this, right:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdD0j6wmMNc
haha yet you’re the one who produced that link in 1 minute.
Fiedler looks like Lebron’s fat brother
lol
Black people have names like Lenny and white people have names like Carl
Whoops!
Scouts say the really like his backside.
or is it upside?
Brandon Inge? Everyone else must have backed out. (I know, he’s having a great year and hitting bombs, but Brandon Inge? Really?)
His stature is pedroia-esque.
It’s cos everyone knows Pujols is gonna win it.
That’s like having Rudy Fernandez at the slam dunk contest lol.
I really like Brandon Inge! I mean…I really like Brandon Inge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bZAuH7pSgc
Bwahahaha, one day HOFer Steve Phillips.
I say Nelson Cruz will surprise everyone and take the title. Or in text shorthand N. Cruz FTW.
Two deals on the table.
-Cliff Lee for Austin Jackson, Zachary McCallister, Mark Melancon
-Roy Halladay for Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson, Austin Romine and Dave Robertson.
You’re Brian Cashman, pick one.
Hey that’s my Lee trade!! I take Lee.
What, do you think I have an ounce of creativity? I’m just smart enough to steal a little from a lot of places, so I don’t get caught too often.
Doc. Lee predictably came back to down to Earth this year. Halladay’s a true difference maker.
+1
Yeah, although I’m intrigued by the lower cost to the organization and Lee in Yankee Stadium, I still do the Halladay deal. He puts you over the top, Lee doesn’t.
Lee is having a very good year, and the cost should be much lower. I would rather have Lee+Joba than Halladay.
Who loses their rotation spot when you bring in Lee?
Yes, Wang’s healthy. I’m not going to make it THAT easy.
If Wang is healthy prior to the deadline, I doubt they trade for a big time starter, and go more the Washburn route, someone on the next tier. Whatever they do, if Wang is still injured at the break, you plug the hole first and then worry about “too much pitching.” That’s what they did when they got Abreu even though Sheff was coming back, and it made sense. If I had to pull someone from the rotation, it would be Andy, but the Yankees would probably send Joba to AAA before bringing him back in the pen in September.
Agreed. Andy stays and Joba either goes to the pen or AAA. Scranton is tempting, but I’ll bet they send him to the pen.
None of the above. I’m sure Lee is going to turn back into a pumpkin, and he’s not exactly young. Halladay is clearly awesome, and flags fly forever, but I can imagine that deal really coming back to screw the Yankees.
Pujols is the only MLB player with 8 straight 30 HR seasons?
A-rod says hi…The thing they should have said that he is the only one with 30 HR in his FIRST 8 seasons.
How cool would it be if Pujols won in his hometown?
11 in a row! Damn!
What is going to be more annoying to sit through: Berman’s commentary tonight or the G.I. Joe movie?
I’d like to see some sort of skills competition for the fielders. I don’t know what that would entail, but I’m sure someone alot more creative than I could conjure up something
Imagine this HR Derby in TEH BANDBOX…
I’d love to be there catching all of those balls.
THATS WHAT SHE SAID HIYOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Why would she catch balls?
I don’t know actually.
I heard one of the cool kids use that phrase here one time.
Holy crap is that the guy who invented the “jump to conclusion matt” in Office Space?
Raise your e-hand if you think this is a dumb promotion?
*e-hand raised*
My head spun with all of the different promos for the derby.
+1
LOL at Albert patient on batting practice pitches
Pujols should have Brad Lidge throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
No sundress? I love you newayz.
Iight if the jays called the yanks and said look:
We are willing to take Hughes/Joba and Montero with a lesser talented players with Pena and Cevelli. Would you guys make that deal?
No.
I’d rather hold onto Montero.
No Montero, they can have Romine and a prospect better than Pena/Cervelli. Maybe a Z-MAc.
Montero’s off limits. We have enough Catchers to work around him and still make a deal.
I’d like to see Miguel Cabrera instead of Inge but oh well
I like watching the kids trying to catch the balls. It’s funny.
Lucky kids.
Hey, I’m, at best, as good as they are. YOU HURT MY FEELINGS!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW @ Cruz’s 8th.
HOLY MOTHERFUCKER
That was a bomb. Dayum.
Damn my computer froze, what was the distance?
No idea, but it was fourth deck. The section above Big Mac Land.
Yeah lame Berman nickname. Let us enjoy the amazing bombs. I’d mute it but mom has the clicker.
I was watching the ‘99 Derby yesterday, McGwire set the single round record with 13. Stuart Scott interviewed him after and said “we’ll never forget the number 13.”
Stan Musial = most underrated HOFer?
Yup.
Arugubaly the best pure hitter not name Ruth or Williams.
I assume you mean Fear, not Ted.
Brett Gardner will win with infinity number of inside the park HRs… the ballkids cant keep up
Albert please stay in the booth the rest of this competition.
Seriously.
aww crap Albert is gone and now Berman is back.
He still would hit 30 homers.
Albert’s pretty smart. He’s knows more about other players’ swings and strengths/weaknesses than most of the announcers do.
So who’s hit the best HR so far?
Prince’s 497 is pretty baller.
Dammmmmmmn
Your 2014 Home Run Derby winner will be Montero. Just watch.
He certainly can’t be any worse than Mike Piazza in the derby.
Your 2014
Home Run DerbyTriple Crown winner will be Montero. Just watch.Yep.
Can I turn the channel between now and then?
No joke I’d LOVE to be on the field trying to shag some fly balls. That would be awesome.
+497
Word right.
Half of LoHud is all ZOMG TRADE MONTERO HE’S OVERHYPED
And I’m like,
“No.”
Exactly why you shouldn’t waste your time with that noise. They all pretend like they know shit.
Did you hear Betsy get recognized by Kim Jones on WFAN this morning?
Any chance you’ll be calling in manana?
It’s really tempting…I’ve been waking up too late but I really want to try it!
Oh come on. They’re on from 10-2:00. Nobody sleeps THAT late. I’ll be listening for your call tomorrow. . . . .
I wonder if Mlb.com will have like a replay or something, it is showing it live for free but this damn internet keeps stopping, damn router.
Inge takes pride in his Home Run Derby performance.
F
A
I
L
Awww, poor little Inge.
Oh dear Mo, Joe Buck and Joe Morgan simultaneously.
With Berman and Phillips peppering the conversation. Kill me now.
All we need is Michael Kay, Hawk Harrelson, Dennis Eckersley and Tim McCarver, then we’re good to go.
Joe: everyone loves your dad. Everyone hates you. STFU, plz.
Now Joe Buck is there? If they have Tim McCarver in there, my head will explode.
that will be tomorrow
Not enough grit by Inge there.
is this guy gunning the pitches lol
That jeans commercial they just showed was cool because it included a clip from The Searchers.
WTF, Could they be more rude to Prince and Gonzo. Just don’t mention the fact that the dude hit a 497 foot bomb, and I didn’t even know Gonzo was done. FAIL
but but joe buck
I remember when I hit my 1st HR…it was from my left side (natural righty). I was 16 and playing my neighborhood park and it is HUGE. I crushed a soft underhand throw to straight center, at least 400 ft. Felt so proud. But the next day that ball fell out of my glove and I didn’t notice. When I did, I saw it roll down the gutter.
Niiice. My first was an oppo shot to left when I was 13/14…barely 290 feet though!
Damn, that’s young. I didn’t start playing baseball until I was 10. I worked real hard to be a switch-hitter.(I have never played on a team though) I had hit the fence in that park several times before. This time, it just carried and hit someone’s house. I try to pull all the time but just can’t. I hit to center most of the time and opposite field other times.
I was born ambidextrous, so my friends recommended that I try batting righty, where I had a more mechanically sound swing, but all I could muster was, essentially, a swinging bunt. But lefty I can only pull the ball!
Lucky. I made my swing from the right side exactly like A-rod’s and that helped my power a lot, though my AVG would go down slightly. My lefty swing I just got. It’s like a combination of Tex’s and Cano’s. Initially when I was learning, I used to try Larry Walker’s and Todd Helton’s but that didn’t work well. So I just went to my natural swing.
I only ever hit one HR in my life, and it was in summer camp.
I don’t remember anything except I hit that ball and everyone was shocked b/c I usually strike out on three pitches…
“This guy can be a sleeper too*.” (After proclaiming Inge would be a sleeper)
“He has an uppercut swing”
This is professional analysis.
I’m over Josh Hamilton.
He’s gone from a great story and a tremendous player to overrated.
The furthest Inge hit the ball is 272 ft!
“Defense wins championships. Offense gets you paid.”
McNulty is terrible…
This dude kinda looks like Kenny Rogers.
I’m relatively certain this is the first time I’ve ever heard Roy Halladay speak.
Same here. I expected a more authoritative voice.
As much as I love him, I was semi-disappointed the first time I heard Cole Hamels speak.
He makes Gerrit Cole sound like James Earl Jones.
He actually always seemed kind of quiet to me. Just goes about his business.
Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter – best 1-2 tandem developed by a team in the past 10 years (even though Carpenter had his best success elsewhere)?
Colon and Sabathia?
Hudson, Mulder, Zito?
Hughes and Chamberlain.
Trust me.
I trust you 100% on this one.
Good. Good.
hudson mulder zito are the best this decade in trio
my god were they a murderer’s row
Smoltz and Maddux.
And Glavine, duh.
Not last decade
I’ll give Mulder/Hudson/Zito, even though none were anything special after leaving Oakland.
Haren for Mulder trade = AWFUL.
Eh, I guess you got me on a technicality. In the long run, the braves trio kills the few good years the OAK boys put together.
Word, but I think Glavine is very overrated. Someone, I think it was Accent Shallow, said that Glavine’s peripherals were “dog shit” but he somehow won a shit ton of games.
Hahaha, well I wouldn’t classify them as “dog shit” per se. From 1991-2002 he sported a 125 ERA+. if you take out his 2 bad years of 109 and 106 that brings it up to a 137. That’s pretty dominant. I’d rather hve a guy with shitty peripherals but good results than a guy like Javy Vazquez who has great peripherals but not so great results.
He also has a career 3.54 ERA w/ a 1.31 WHIP and averaged 220 innings a year. He wasn’t flat out dominant but he was a hell of a pitcher for a solid decade.
heh me too
Perhaps these guys would be hitting more homeruns if the pitchers were wearing Yankee uniforms.
This ball tracker looks like a teleporting Power Ranger.
All heading back to the Command Center for Zordon’s instructions and stuff
Taste the rainbow!
The yellow tail is really annoying, but I L-O-V-E the running # of feet counter as the ball travels. Very cool.
Hopefully, this Little Al becomes good as the other Little Al.
This movie w/ Patton Oswalt, “Big fan” looks pretty awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-i42Mrw3no
sign that kid now
“Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman has signed with an agent.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who defected this month after arriving with his national team for a tournament in the Netherlands, has signed with an agent.
Chapman will be represented by Athletes Premier International, which is headed by Edwin Leonel Mejia. If Chapman follows the path of previous Cuban baseball players who defected, he would establish residency outside the United States and become a free agent, able to sign with any of the 30 major league teams.
“I am very excited to be starting a new chapter in my life and have Edwin and the rest of the team at Athletes Premier by my side to help me realize my dreams,” Chapman said in a statement Monday.
Chapman pitched twice for Cuba in this year’s World Baseball Classic.”
http://www.google.com/hostedne.....gD99DNEG00
Pujols is the reason my FB team is winning. Go Albert.
my superior drafting and ability to pick sleepers such as pujols is the reason my team in winning
The thing is, I was unforgivably late to the start of my FB draft and Pujols was auto-picked. Despite the obvious evidence pointing to him as the best, I probably wouldn’t have picked him.
My superior trading skills got me Pujols without giving up my Hanley where both are keeping me in first.
So, as Rinku Singh picks up his first win in A, is there any chance either brother actually does something vaguely impressive in baseball, or must we wait for the second or third Indian wave?
India is a sleeping giant in all sports, in my opinion.
I agree. The bell curve is an amazing thing. Much like Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi in the NBA, the simple fact of India’s absurdly huge population suggests that there must be true MLB talent.
I think with India, its more than the bell curve though. There is alot of big people in India. Its all economics. The more money that country has, the more the sports programs wil get better.`
I agree. I’m gonna be the next big thing from India.;) I’ve got some serious athletic ability.
Varsity Basketball here…and I didn’t even learn about B-ball until I was in 3rd grade and didn’t play it until 7th.
Despite her being born in England, the next big Indian is Reshma Shetty. hhhmmmm. Nice.
I like Priyanka Chopra
And you can’t forget Aishwarya Rai. She’s a classic.
yea but she’s married now
Yeah, cause that’s the only thing separating her and me.
Yea same here. I also like Celina Jaitley and my favorite is Katrina Kaif.
They’re not brothers.
When I first saw this, I thought it said, “They’re not my brothers.” Lol
I wouldn’t be surprised if they were both Pat’s kids, though. You never know that Pat.
Hey Luda, screw area codes I got hoes in different country codes.
Haha, IETC.
IETC.
I stand corrected.
Steve Phillips, there are more games in the first half than second half.
Anyone else notice that Pena has a devil ray on his sleeve?
yea, D Jennings had it too
The Rays still have it on their uniforms.
Huh… Did not know. I thought all they had was that stupid sparkle thing.
That David Wright commercial was PAINFUL.
Any chance the Yankees try to make a minor league deal with Ryan? Would he take it?
ill take a flier on him on a minor league deal no risk.
I envisioned Prince’s kids to be larger.. lol
Albert just said he should of started with the leg kick earlier.
Pujols looks to be enjoying this experience about as much as a prostate exam.
That’s about how much I’m enjoying it. This thing should’ve been over twenty minutes ago.
+1. This is getting horribly boring.
ESPN just drags things out so painfully long.
Imagine a Home Run Derby at New Yankee Stadium…
That’s how ESPN’s been describing the stadium this whole season. Just ask Buster Olney.
Does anyone think the Yanks will land Aroldis Chapman? Cuz I do. The Yankees have put such an emphasis on pitching prospects over the last several years, and if I’m not mistaken the Yanks took a good number of LHP in the draft this year. Looks like they recognize the need for LHP with the NYS.
If they like him I do think they’ll land him. They may see something in his medical files or something in his windup they don’t like and could shy away. We’re still spending money since george left but now we’re spending it in the right places not just for the sake of spending money.
This is so lame. ESPN ruins everything.
well at least you still have your pena prediction…
Oh don’t get me started on what they did yesterday.
The long rain delay or…?
Totally different sport, in fact. I’m a huge motor racing fan and the way they cover IndyCar racing is (and has been for a while) quite pathetic. Now, I’m not expecting greatness since it’s probably below the WNBA on its totem pole but it is sad the people they hire and the “production” they have.
Well, let’s be honest. The way they cover most sports is now pathetic.
Haha the same way pablo misread one of my commets to think it was funny I totally thought you said you were huge motor BOATING fan. I was like, Damn me too!
Im watching the 1995 All-Star game on MLB Network. Wade Boggs only Yankee in starting lineup.
Man, prince fielder is such a fatass. My prediction is he breaks down by the time he hits 31. Why don’t some of these guys want to take care of themselves?
He’s a vegetarian first of all, and as countless players have shown you don’t have to be of the typical athletic build to be successful at baseball. That along with a bunch of other things is why it’s America’s past time. You can be short and fat or tall and skinny or anything in between.
Anything in between what you said? Well, Pedroia doesn’t fit then. You gotta lower the standards a bit more.
hahaha MIDGETS TOO!
http://www.cynical-c.com/archi.....125965.jpg
That’s my complaint about Ken Griffey Jr. Really? You can’t stay in any better shape? He’s 39, but looks 49. Just retire if you don’t want to take the game seriously.
He’s nothing compared to his father. But I’m sure it’s a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kind of thing.
Do people actually enjoy the Home Run Derby that much? Not trying to sound like a dick, just genuinely curious. Personally, I enjoyed it a lot more in my teenage or younger years. Now? Meh.
To me the stadium helps alot. Ditto having superstars in the event.
Yeah, I used to enjoy it a lot more. Now, it’s just too long and drawn out. There’s no reason for this thing to take ~3 hours.
Yup, it’s now all about the moolah and the ESPN talking heads fellating each other and the other celebrity guests. Just think of all the commercials they can sell!!
I would, however, like to play in the Celebrity Softball Game.
I saw it last year. Maria Menounos got booed like crazy. Good times.
For anybody that’s bored, a nice E.Andrews slideshow..
http://bleacherreport.com/arti.....atest-hits
You know Jeter is hitting it later tonight.
O for sure.
Finally.
Anyone else watching the Celebrity Softball game?
Haha I was about to turn it off but I’m suddenly intrigued by Nelly’s presence.
Wow he just made a pretty nice catch.
And a homer, he’s doing it for you pat.
Nelly so far has been more entertaining than the entire homerun derby.
No argument there.
And Jenna Fischer is absolutely adorable.
and an oppo homer.