I haven't been this excited about the Home Run Derby since I was a kid. I'd be surprised if it lives up to the hype - when does anything ever? - but that's ok. Baseball has a bunch of young, marketable stars lining up tonight to mash, and hopefully they put on a show that's talked about for years.
The Home Run Derby also reminds me of the summer of 1997, when my favorite player, Tino Martinez, took on sluggers like Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Barry Bonds and came out on top. His homer total looks comical compared to what these guys put up now, but it was a huge deal for me as a kid watching my underdog player rise to the occasion.
Even better, it was immortalized on cardboard!
The Yankees had two other winners in the event over the years, including Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano.
I hope one of these two can pull it off tonight. While most money will be on Judge or Stanton, I have a feeling neither of them will win. My bet is Gary Sanchez.
I have both of these cards coming to me in recent weeks, and hope I get to add another of one of them holding up the trophy.
I collected baseball cards from the late '80s through 2002. Then I went to college and when I came out, I was lost. There were too many brands, sets, choices, relics, autos, parallels, variations. It was a turn off. However, I slowly made my way back. So here is my attempt to venture back into the hobby. I'll buy a few packs of cards here and there, comment on some cards I have, send out some TTMs, and follow the progress of my Topps Yankees Project.
I have not watched the HR Derby for years but I did tonight. Judge was knocking some insane long balls, I can't believe the 513-ft shot, he is so talented.
ReplyDeleteSaw the highlights. Damn... Judge was impressive. Congratulations on the win!
ReplyDeleteI'd say the derby lived up to the hype. It was a ton of fun to watch and all of the matches were really close. Bellinger hitting a 440+ ball with his last swing to give him 30 more seconds was pretty sweet. Justin Bour's round was absolutely a treat. It's a shame both Marlins were eliminated in the first round, because I think it was more fun when the crowd was into it. But, obviously, the right guy won. Wow. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting to be let down. I was not.
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