Hi Pete,

I agree that the Derby has lost its luster, but am guilty (like the rest of you) for at least tuning in for some of it.

And the boredom you feel watching the Derby is exactly why I am in favor of keeping the All Star Game rules where the winning division has home field advantage in the World Series. Without this rule you would have a Derby Part 2 tonight along with half-hearted pitching, coaching, defense, and base-running.

I watched the first two rounds last night. For all of the BP and all of the baseball I've watched, there's still something about watching those guys rocket balls into the outer reaches of the stadium.

The highlight was the St. Louis fan "Jeffery Maier-ing" one of Pujols' shots in the first round. In this case, I was ok with Richie Garcia's call.

On something of a tangent, I can't help but think that Prince would look good in an O's uniform. Last off-season, there was talk that the Brewers might deal him before they eventually signed him to a 2-year deal. So he'll be a FA after next year, and I can only hope he's one of those bats that Andy plans on buying.

the reason the homerun derby is a success on tv is because there is no other sports going on. At least during the NBA/NHL all star games there are alternate sports on to watch. So by default, the homerun derby is the "sport" to watch. I think they should give the batters 20 Balls. They would have to swing at all of them. (they can get 20 outs or 20 homeruns.)

Was there a home run contest last night?

Oh, I get it... Guthrie was pitching last night!! :)

Can we all agree that Chris Berman is the worst announcer in sports? ESPN should've cut this guy loose 10 years ago.

I watched the Derby but with the sound off since I find Steve Berman and Joe Morgan unendurable.
That being said, watching a man Prince Fielder's size hit a baseball 500 feet was pretty amazing.

Here is how I would create some buzz around the event...Take 4 of the best power hitters in the game and put them in one bracket...Find four players who have retired that were prominent HR hitters and can still do it and put them in the other bracket..get a winner from each one and let them go at it..Doing this will get rid of players who do not belong (Inge/ Mauer to name a couple) and also create something very unique, seeing former HR heroes battling with today's best...just my thoughts.

Haven't watched it for years. I'd much rather the Futures Game was shown instead

boomer is a dolt! get rid of that hack, his nick name thing has run its course!

The long ball is the deal. Think about the following and really what would be more exciting
1. Infield ground ball contest
2. Fly ball contest
3. Strike throwing contest
4. bubble gum blowing contest

Really the fans love the long ball, and since they started doing this it has been a success, look at how much they charge the fans and they pay! They get TV viewers and until that stops the home run derby will continue.

Count me as one chick who doesn't dig the long ball. Whilst home runs can be exciting during the course of a game, watching glorified batting practice just doesn't do it for me. I'd much rather watch infielders handle tricky hops. Seriously.

Hey, Pete - maybe MLB will bring out a "this time it counts" promo for the HR Derby - if an NL guy wins, no DH in the World Series! I'm saying this in jest, but I wouldn't put it past them.

Home field in the World Series should go to the team with the best record. I know already I won't be able to stay up late enough to watch the whole game tonight anyway.

I agree, I was incredibly bored watching it last night. The selection of participants is also a little off. Brandon Inge is one of my favorite players, but he is not a home run hitter.
A good thing about the home run derby is that MLB uses it to generate a lot of money for good causes. Prince Fielder even stopped to make sure he was on the "golden ball" before he knocked a couple of them out.
As long as the home run derby is used for good causes, I think MLB should keep it around, no matter how boring it can get.

much like anything else ESPN produces in the last several years, it has become over-commercialized and drawn out (see especially, the World Series of Poker). it's boring, and Berman is a broken record that interjects cringe-inducing nickhames.

Last night, I went to the movies and saw The Hangover at 7:45, came home and watched a couple shows on Showtime, and STILL caught the end of the HR derby. ya think it might be a TAD too long?!

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Pete's reply: What a relief. I thought you were going to say you got home and found Mike Tyson and a tiger watching the last half hour of the HR derby.

Pete,

Talking to the players everyday, do you get the impression they care about the all star game because of the home field advantage for the league winner?

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Pete's reply: I'm sure the players from contending teams care about it, but the guys I talk to regularly -- the O's -- aren't too interested yet.

Funny get rid of Boomer! That is a good one. Anyone that does not appreciate Joe Morgan and the knowledge he brings to a broadcast is not a real fan of the game. Yes Prince would look good in a Oriole uniform, I am sure several teams are thinking he would look good in their uniform also. It is a nice thought.

So how long did it last (I'm serious)? I briefly saw it while at the gym (west coast time) and was shocked to see players getting 10 outs. Howard looked like he needed a tv timeout.

The game and all of its activities are really strictly for kids, I've long out grown those. I even try to time the super bowl so that I don't turn it on until the kickoff so I can avoid the endless talk about nothing.

Any trade rumors? Isn't the non-waiver deadline at the end of this month?

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Pete's reply: It sure is, but the rumors have been slow in coming. They start to pop up during and after the All-Star Game because so many media and executives are in St. Louis.

I'm with you Pete. I've never tuned into the HR derby and don't expect to in the future. Maybe it's more interesting in person, but it adds nothing to my enjoyment of the game.
By the way thanks to responding to my question about knckleballs in another post, I didn't notice that my user name etc. hadn't been included.

Who are they attracting to the event. If over 25 there has been enough home run derbys that it's just not exciting. If you're under 25 it last too long to keep your attention. Put 10 to 12 guys up there and 1 round who ever hits the most wins. Give them a point for each deck they hit. If the ball lands in the third deck it's 3 points. It last longer than a 7 game series for crying out loud.

Pete,

I always assumed, and still do, that the homerun derby was for kids . . . that why they had them in the outfield and sitting with their fathers on the field. The derby and all star game are great memories of my childhood (all ten years ago) but I have little interest in them now.

Pete-we watched the Home Run Derby for the first time last night , I found it akin to 'World's Strongest ' or 'The QB Challenge' type of event . At least, as earlier poster said, they are donating the proceeds to charity ( God bless em ! ).

Pete- I thought you were Anaheim local , not Long Beach . Have you ever toured the Queen Mary ship/hotel and Scorpion Russian sub docked next to it ? I enjoyed Long Beach =)

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Pete's reply: Actually, I grew up in Santa Ana, but close enough to Anaheim Stadium to ride my bike there. When I got out of college, I moved to Yorba Linda (birthplace of Richard Nixon) for a few years, then to Long Beach when I got married. My last home there was in Seal Beach, which is just south of Long Beach. I have been on the Queen Mary many times, but not the submarine. When I was there, the Spruce Goose was right next to the Queen.

I kept it on, so I could watch the celebrity softball game. Now that's entertainment!

How about facing real pitching?

Have all-star pitchers throw curves and sliders to these guys--with a 10 pitch limit.

Watched parts of it ... pretty boring overall Zzzzzzzzzzz

Inge and Mauer didn't even BELONG there ... a real shame that Luke Scott wasn't there instead

Luke woulda hit a HELLUVA lot better than those guys

I think it's fun for what it is.

As long as you have at least few guys who can launch some, and a few new guys, I'm in favour.

I was a little disappointed that only one HR went 500 feet, but at least it gives a guy like Nelson Cruz a chance to show he can mash with the big boys.

I think to make it interesting, they should mandate that batters swing at every pitch.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Yawn . ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

My problem with the Home Run Derby is it's just too long. Shorten the contest. One round and a maybe a tiebreaker round is enough. The players are usually gassed by the end of the first round, and I won't watch for 2 hrs to see for 1 or 2 tape measure shots and 20 pop ups.

Hi AC,

Great to hear that. I agree... I was once an infielder but the fans came to watch the long ball, and the great pitchers.

HR Derby is played...too long like everyone else has said. Guess I'm too old now.

Maybe the O's should hold a base running contest...see who can make the best decisions on the base path. Just a thought.