"I'm not a home run hitter. I've just got good pop."
So the basis here is simple: the tenth reason for you to vote for Junior is to put Griffey in the Home Run Derby. Why? Four reasons.
1. Make the Derby more fun.
While it will always be one of our favorite parts of All-Star Weekend, the Derby has recently lost a little of its luster. Every now and then, we get a Derby moment worth remembering (see: Hamilton, Josh), but we think that the average baseball fan would have a tough time listing off recent winners or performances. Also, after the first round, it's not uncommon to get bored of the Derby and just switch to a rerun of Seinfeld. If Griffey were in the Derby, there's no question that he would attract great fan interest and, for as long as he lasts, make the competition significantly more interesting.
2. Protect his place in Derby history.
Griffey is the only guy to win the Derby more than once--and he did it three times (1994, '98, '99). Here's a list of total HRD home runs. Not sure we have much to worry about from several of these guys, but Ryan Howard (41) and Josh Hamilton (35) are definitely threats (and don't forget the immortal Bryce Harper!).
1. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 70
2. Jason Giambi - 67
3. Sammy Sosa - 65
4. Mark McGwire - 56
5. David Ortiz - 54
6. Albert Pujols - 50
7. Barry Bonds - 47
8. Bobby Abreu - 41
9. Ryan Howard - 41
10. Lance Berkman - 39
We realize that it's unlikely Griffey would smash 30+ bombs in the 2010 Derby. But we do think that, however many he hits, it will make his total significantly more out of reach from his competition.
3. Because no one else wants to be in it.
Well, sort of. It is no well-kept secret that many players are weary of competing in the Derby. Whether it is because of the extra fatigue, the effect of the Derby on their swings, or their hesitancy to risk embarrassing themselves--competing in the Home Run Derby is not something that all players seem to yearn for. This was perhaps best displayed in the 2009 Derby when it seemed as if almost every All-Star Game participant was given an open invitation to join the Derby (Mark Teixeira, Torii Hunter, and Justin Morneau were all known to have rejected invitations to join the competition).
4. Because he'd have a chance!
Obviously, Griffey is not having a stellar season at the plate. While he certainly has other problems, chief among them may be his reduced bat speed. With a batting-practice pitcher out there, Junior would be able to regain his form and again, hit the long ball. We think Grif has a good of a chance of any of the participants to win the Derby. We're tellin' you there's a chance!
So, as the MLB only allows for players in the All-Star Game to compete in the Home Run Derby, we think that you should vote for Junior to get him back home and into the Derby.
Vote for Junior
6 comments:
is it possible to put him in the derby without putting him in the all star game?
Hmm, I think Justin Morneau, Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols before Griffey! Interesting
If you think of those names before Griffey's when thinking about the derby you are either not older than 16 or do not know baseball at all. Pujols may go down as one of best players ever and the other 2 performed very well when winning their derbys but Griffey has won it 3 times and was a runner up another and was in way more total home run derbys.
Asti, I'm well over 16, and well versed in baseball. Read my post, I never said Griffey never came to mind.
My point was that those other players came to my mind first because they were more recent, and following that = they are CURRENTLY more deserving. This isn't a career deal, this is a season-by-season thing, both the ASG and Derby always have been
Fair enough but it is unfortunate if you just think of recent and not the past. Also, your second point is false, Ripken was voted as a starter in 01 with a very poor stat year and Gwynn was put on the team as a reserve when he also didn't deserve just based on that season. In addition the Schmidt scenario in 1989 is possibly the best. He was having just as bad of a year Griff was this season and he was voted as a starter and they iterally made it very clear it was only due to career achievements. I believe you know a lot about baseball, as do I, however, this was something that has happened before with other hall of fame locks. Baseball basically said Griffey is not in those 3 class by not doing it for him. Regardless, my stance has always been I did honestly not want him to take Vlad's spot, a possible MVP guy to this point. I actually idealy would have just liked to have had something mentioned and Griffey able to wave his cap to the fans maybe even get a spot in the derby even if not put in the game.
To state I am 23 and when someone mentions the Home Run Derby the first name that comes to mind is Griffey. I'm starting to think you are older then me and he doesn't come to mind first, that's very unfortunate.
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