Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were known for their ability to make hitters look
clueless. Two athletes that used their brain, more than their brawn, en route to
Hall of Fame careers, delivered an unforgettable skit for Nike, while the two
were members of the Atlanta Braves.
“Chicks dig the long-ball,” was the comical phrase delivered by Maddux and
Glavine while Heather Locklear was blissfully staring at the newly-found
power-swingers.
News flash: It’s not just chicks that dig the long-ball, guys do too!
With the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby approaching I was awaiting to hear
the rosters for the Home Run Derby.
My memories take me to flashes of Frank Thomas practically sending balls out of
the stadium and Mark McGwire’s performance at Fenway Park.
This year will be quite different.
The roster lacks the star-power and big-names that used to accompany this
legendary event.
New York Mets third baseman David Wright and New York Yankees second baseman
Robinson Cano, were captains for the event and chose the “best players” for the
event.
Those players consist of: Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gonzalez (who has been replaced by Pedro Alvarez), Bryce Harper,
Wright, Cano, Chris Davis, Prince Fielder and Yoenis Cespedes.
I don’t want to rain on this parade but I must.
It will be entertaining to watch the likes of Davis, Harper and Cespedes, while
also not forgetting Fielder, who has won the event before. These four players posses
god-like power, with their high-energy swing and in turn will create a lot of
excitement for the fans.
However, this lineup should have been bolstered.
Courtesy: Denver Post
With the event taking place in N Y home stadium, it’s a no-brainer why Wright was chosen as an
NL captain for the Derby. With a whopping 13 home runs on the year thus far,
Wright chose two players from the Colorado Rockies (Cuddyer,Gonzalez) while
leaving off some heavy-hitters.
Gonzalez is deserving; the critique is leaning heavily towards Wright’s
selection of Cuddyer. First time All Star Domonic Brown is challenging for the
top spot in home runs but because will have to wait next season to display his
talents.
Cuddyer’s selection was a head scratcher. However, when news broke of the
relationship the head scratching stopped and profanities erupted.
Wright and Cuddyer have been friends since their childhood days and when asked
of his selection of Cuddyer the Mets corner defender stated, “I grew up with
Michael. I think that he’s one of the more underrated players in the game. And
obviously, the friendship had something to do with it (Daily Press Virginia).”
Cuddyer is worthy of an All Star nod, his numbers speak for itself. Thus far,
the right fielder has a .337 average to go with 15 home runs and 52 runs batted
in. However, Brown was slighted and here’s why.
His story is compelling. Viewed once as a ‘can’t-miss’ prospect, Brown missed,
and missed badly. In his first three seasons facing big-league pitching, he
look confused and over-matched. His swing took a long time to enter the zone
and pitchers caught him guessing.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
Humility and a stint in the minors took its toll on the 6’5 outfielder. The
Philadelphia Phillies needed power in the lineup and lacked a corner
outfielder. Brown got the call-up and the grueling bus trips were behind him.
The 25-year-old Brown has been smashing the baseball and his numbers prove that
the changes have been a career-saver.
In the three below average seasons Brown played in 147 games, while accumulating
12 home runs. Through 92 games this season, the southpaw has 23 home runs.
It’s unfortunate that the friendship of Cuddyer and Wright had to prevent the
rest of the baseball world to see the transformation of one of the bright young
stars in the game.
A once extraordinary event is now sitting in the same stance as the NBA Dunk
Contest. Straying from its illustrious history which garnered heavy viewership,
the captain selection has turned the event into a shell of what it once was.
The All Star game itself determines home field advantage for the World Series
and despite the importance of the game, the fans are the ones to vote for the
starters. What’s stopping Bud Selig and the MLB to revert back to its old ways?
