Trout declines to participate in Home Run Derby

[Convo]

It's pretty clear many hitters also believe it will mess up their swing (Trout out, Abreu out).

 

On the other hand, let's put Ben Revere and Altuve in and maybe they'll hit more, since it would be impossible to hit less.

[NorthOf49]

I think it's more that they just can't be bothered. They do the same thing to their swing every day in batting practice.

[Convo]

I think it's more that they just can't be bothered. They do the same thing to their swing every day in batting practice.

 

"The first baseman competed in five contests in Cuba and found that they typically hurt his swing."

 

"It messes with my mind. I never go to the plate trying to hit home runs. It's something that I'm blessed with and it happens, but I never go trying to hit home runs, so I feel like when I have gone to these things, it has been not beneficial to me afterward." - Abreu

[Candy Maldonado]

Nelson Cruz also said no and Edwin as well.

[sh3156]

Can't wait to see Juan Francisco in home run derby

[flafson]

They didn't say no, just maybe.

[G-Snarls]

"Next up in the home run contest for the Ahhhmerican league, thaaaaaah YANKEEESSS very own.......... (pregnant pause)........ Derek Jetah!"

 

[/sterling voice]

Edited July 7, 2014 by G-Snarls

[Horses Fart]

"Next up in the home run contest for Ahhhmerican league, of thaaaaaah YANKESSS very own.......... (pregnant pause)........ Derek Jetah!"

 

[/sterling voice]

 

Haha. Funny. Lol.

[CHRIS]

Can't see the HR derby lasting much longer. Seems like nobody wants to participate, and it's pretty boring to boot, other than one someone goes on a real tear. Reminds me of the NBA dunk contest.

[jaysblue]

The home run derby won't last much longer. If top stars like Abreu, Cabrera, Trout are rejecting to participate then its going to lose money and viewership. It's become quite boring as well.

[jaysblue]

I'd like to see the Futures Game moved to the HR derby slot, or it would be cool to do a WBC exhibition game - lets say Canada vs. USA or Dominican vs. USA/North America etc.

[Convo]

Can't see the HR derby lasting much longer. Seems like nobody wants to participate, and it's pretty boring to boot, other than one someone goes on a real tear. Reminds me of the NBA dunk contest.

 

I like it, in general...

[CHRIS]

I like it, in general...

 

I find it too long; too much preliminary stuff. Maybe if it was four guys, two from each league or something.

[TheHurl]

I think I've watched full one since 1991. But probably parts of most of them.

[Convo]

I find it too long; too much preliminary stuff. Maybe if it was four guys, two from each league or something.

 

It shakes things up from the regular season

[Stangstag]

Maybe in the future they'll just cut the homerun derby to 1 player from each league. It would be alot quicker

[Art Vandelay]

Can't see the HR derby lasting much longer. Seems like nobody wants to participate, and it's pretty boring to boot, other than one someone goes on a real tear. Reminds me of the NBA dunk contest.

 

They at least shake things up every now and then in the dunk contest, and it's also more about personal expression. The derby is all about skill, but I just find it really boring to watch.

 

In terms of skills contest, the NBA shootout is pretty underrated. And yet, with the right shooter, it can be thrilling:

 

[jays_fever]

I can see why guys who have already done it once or twice might decline, but I have no idea why the new guys would turn it down. They're all going to be in the stadium anyways, takes maybe 5 minutes per round.

 

Not sure who these guys are trying to kid when they say 5 minutes of trying to launch a ball will somehow mess up their thousands of hours of practice in the cage/on the field

[HERPDERP]

I'd ask

 

Pujols

Dunn

Dozier (just cause Minny)

[Dylan]

Would they be able to move it to be an offseason event? would anyone care?

[Comx]

The HR derby is rather boring. Too long (too many rounds). Too monotonous. Same thing over and over again. You see the same guy for a number of rounds.

 

It's for kids getting their first exposure to the game, and getting excited about HRs.

 

Make it one round, and make participation in it mandatory to participating in the All-Star Game. And make All-Star Game participation mandatory unless you're on the DL. Rather than 4 rounds starting with 10 batters at 7 outs each time (a total of 140 outs) ... make it all positional players, 1 round, 10 swings each.

 

And make it part of a skills challenge between leagues. You can fight/haggle over the skills to be included, but a home-to-second dash, a throwing accuracy and fielding range challenge for infielders ... and outfielders are just some of the obvious basic possibilities.

 

And make it mean something to the All-Star Game itself (as to what ... I haven't decided) and make it a monetary reward, as well. Maybe make the All-Star Game winner decide home field in the World Series, but make the Skills Challenge winner decide if all games will include the DH or not (or decide as such for next year's Interleague Games) ... those are bad ideas, but just spit-balling here.

 

Do they even have that stupid celebrity softball game anymore? Yawn, if they do. Who gives a s***? Boot it if it's there.

 

You want youngsters to give a damn? Give them something to bump themselves up against. "Oh, Reyes can run home to 2nd at x.xx? Let me try to beat that." "Jeter can range a whole 6 inches to his left and throw the ball to 1st within 4 feet of his intended target? Hell, I could be a MLB SS! Let me practice!" "It took Ortiz 3 days to make it from home to 2B ... what an oaf! I'm faster!"

 

http://pedestriantv-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images%2Farticle%2F2014%2F03%2F03%2Fku-xlarge.gif

[Nox]

Proposed new format:

 

Just watch Stanton hit baseballs as far as he can for about 15 mins.

 

That would give me everything I need.

[Orgfiller]

Proposed new format:

 

Just watch Stanton hit baseballs as far as he can for about 15 mins.

 

That would give me everything I need.

 

1. Fly him over to Colorado during every All-Star break.

2. Pitcher of his choosing.

3. ?????

4. Profit

[John_Havok]

Guys with RAW power for the win....Tape measure shots take the CROWN!!

 

Longest HR, plus highest hit velocity. 120 mph or gtfo

[wilko]

I just want to see dingers damnit!

 

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/41574/mcgwire-simpsons-o.gif

[Candy Maldonado]

As officially announced on ESPN's "SportsCenter" on Tuesday night, Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins, Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers, Todd Frazier of the Reds, Brian Dozier of the Twins, Adam Jones of the Orioles and defending Home Run Derby champion Yoenis Cespedes of the A's have joined National League captain Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies and American League captain Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays in the All-Star Week event.

[DH12]

It's pretty clear many hitters also believe it will mess up their swing (Trout out, Abreu out).

 

On the other hand, let's put Ben Revere and Altuve in and maybe they'll hit more, since it would be impossible to hit less.

 

Bautista should decline the HR derby as well. He's already injured and he usually goes crazy in that derby and has a good chance to injure himself. We don't need anymore injuries on this team

[Dick_Pole]

I agree with the sentiment that the derby is dying out. Only the players with the biggest of egos still give a s*** about it...*ahem Bautista ahem*. Players don't want to do it because they know it means less than nothing and it's almost like an embarrassment now to care so much about trying to win the thing. Any other type of lame excuse is just a cover for "I simply don't want to do it" and I can totally understand that position. Anything that JP Arencibia could potentially thrive at does not exhibit actual baseball skill.