3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition


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By Matt Snyder

PHOENIX - Hey, we're here ... so why not? Just remember, this was an event meant for fun. Any critiques are all in good fun, and we're not taking anything away from any of the players involved.

The Cano Family. Robinson Cano stole the show like one player so often does in the Derby. Isn't it amazing how every year there seems to be one player who has a huge run, even if he doesn't win? For example, Josh Hamilton's splurge in Yankee Stadium was the memory, but Justin Morneau won. This time around, Cano was the one putting on a show with the moonshots, and he hit the most. He ended up winning with 32 home runs and 30 "outs" (non-homers, though he didn't even need all 30). As a bonus, his father -- former major-league pitcher Jose Cano -- was doing the pitching. Great story and great night for the Canos.

Adrian Gonzalez. Funny thing was, as good as Cano was, Gonzalez only hit one less homer on the night. Cano's felt more spectacular and more often wowed the crowd, but Gonzalez was nearly as good. And give the duo props for both hitting more home runs than not (Gonzalez had 31 homers against 30 "outs"). That's pretty tough to do.

Prince Fielder. He was only awesome in one stretch, but it was pretty solid. In the tiebreaker round -- Matt Holliday, Prince Fielder and David Ortiz battled for two spots in Round 2 -- each hitter was granted five swings. Fielder took full advantage, hitting a home run on all five cuts.

Jose Bautista, Blue Jays. Hitting four home runs in 14 swings isn't too shabby, but we were expecting the world of Joey Bats. And he started off with two home runs before making an out. Then he just fizzled. It was disappointing, that's all. But he's still one of the biggest stars here, and that is well-deserved.

Fielder picking Rickie Weeks over Justin Upton. And we've found a flaw in Year 1 of the new system. This season, captains were named to each the NL and AL and were able to pick their three "teammates." Fielder selected his real-life teammate, Weeks, instead of the home fan favorite, Justin Upton. Sorry, the All-Star Game is about the fans. The home fans wanted to see Upton, so he should have been selected. It's not like we're asking for a huge concession; Upton only has two fewer regular-season homers than Weeks.

Fans booing. Regardless of what I said above, what's done is done by the time the Derby starts. The fans relentlessly booed Matt Kemp, Weeks, Fielder and even David Ortiz. Then, in a commercial break, the fans cheered loudly for dogs catching frisbees. I thought they came to enjoy the home run show? Give me Prince Fielder hitting a baseball 450 feet, but maybe that's just me. I like baseball. Why were they booing Ortiz? Even if there was protest for Upton not being there, Ortiz is the AL captain. And why were they cheering Matt Holliday while booing the others? It was just weird.

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hotmeuly Since: Dec 2, 2011	Posted on: December 21, 2011 10:09 pm This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
Since: Jan 4, 2009	Posted on: July 12, 2011 1:07 pm 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition Has anyone considered that the crowd booed kemp because he is a Dodger? Same division after all. Oh, and his performance did not necessarily wow the crowd either.
Since: Jun 1, 2010	Posted on: July 12, 2011 8:49 am 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition I think the MLB should take a page from the NBA book, and take the stars out of the competition, and go with some more or less unknown mashers. Guys who want to put themselves on the map. Make it a competition. The Vets vs the Unknowns. Though not technically a rookie, Wily Mo would have been great. Mike Stanton, John Mayberry Jr, etc. These are the kids who are hitting 500 ft blasts in BP, why not let them show what they can do - and who cares if they mess up their swing for the second half....aside from Stanton they arent getting regular playing time.
Since: May 22, 2007	Posted on: July 12, 2011 6:46 am 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition As much as some people think home run derby is a good thing, personally,I think it's a waste of time, and doesn't do the players any good. First of all, what's the point? It's boring to watch...it's not competetive because someone is serving up BP fastballs. Second, as you said, the fans booed Matt Kemp, Rickie Weeks and others. They enjoyed the dog and frisbee show more. That should say it all. My final objection to home run derby is the player who wins ends up messing up his swing and for the 1st few weeks after the all star break, tries to hit too many home runs. Sorry guys, I love baseball, but home run derby has to go...
Since: Sep 8, 2006	Posted on: July 12, 2011 2:07 am 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition We will never know but I bet ya Upton would have hit more than 2 homers or whatever pathetic number Weeks put up. I think the HR derby is possibly the biggest joke in pro sports but if you are going to show up at least do more than make a fool of yourself by not hitting homeruns.
Since: Jun 3, 2010	Posted on: July 12, 2011 1:33 am 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition B DUB: For what's it's worth, there was a rather huge underground movement supporting Wily Mo Pena in the Derby this year. I'm on your side. - Matt
Since: May 26, 2011	Posted on: July 12, 2011 1:26 am 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition I am probably in the minority, but why doesn't the Home Run Derby have the players that are the best at BP home runs and hitting the ball the furthest. There isn't a rule that says players have to be on the All-Star Team to participate. Players like Russell Branyan and Willy Mo Pena are as good as anyone at dropping bombs in BP from what I hear. Even though I'm not a fan of Ichiro Suzuki, he can appparently hit HR's basically whenever he wants in BP. I'm not saying Cano, Gonzalez, Ortiz, Fielder and etc. are boring, but I think it would be more exciting to watch the guys with lesser names and more power to be included.
Since: Nov 27, 2007	Posted on: July 12, 2011 12:43 am 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition Cano hit 32 home runs in 30 outs except he only used 6 in the final round so more like 26 outs which is slightly more impressive
Since: Jun 3, 2010	Posted on: July 11, 2011 11:54 pm 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition alexr29: Good point on Holliday and that makes the cheering for him even more weird. I agree on the fact that we don't know if Upton would have done any better (did you see the last part of 3 Down?), but it's the principle of home fans. Again, though, I don't feel overly strong about any of this. It's an exhibition for the casual fans. - Matt
Since: Jul 12, 2008	Posted on: July 11, 2011 11:49 pm 3 Up, 3 Down: Home Run Derby edition Sorry Matt, Prince was not obligated to take Upton. Plus, how do all those "geniuses" that booed know that Upton would have done any better? Maybe he would have caved under the pressure of hitting in front of the home crowd. Upton has more homers than Matt Holliday, so why should Weeks be the one you picked as a mistake? In case you didn't notice, Holliday didn't make it out of the first round either.

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