Looks Like Ichiro Might be Selected for Derby

by phil333 on Jul 6, 2005 11:18 AM PDT Comment 3 comments

Major League Baseball is doing an international home run derby this year, to generate publicity for next year's World Cup. 6 players from 6 different countries have confirmed, with only the U.S. and Japan not having players yet. (D. Lee declined for the U.S. because of his injury) Japan needs someone, maybe we can finally see Ichiro? Full ESPN.com story below the fold.

The CENTURY 21 Home Run Derby (ESPN and ESPN Radio, Monday, July 11, 8 p.m. ET) will have an international flavor this year.

Hoping to kick off the countdown to next year's World Baseball Classic, the derby will feature players from different nations represented throughout Major League Baseball. Six out of eight participants have confirmed their spots, according to MLB.com.

According to the Web site Tuesday, the roster includes: Atlanta slugger and home run leader Andruw Jones, Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu, Milwaukee's Carlos Lee, Pittsburgh's Jason Bay, Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez and Boston's David Ortiz.

The Dominican Republic will be represented by Ortiz; Venezuela by Abreu, Puerto Rico by Rodriguez; Curacao by Jones; Panama by Lee; and Canada by Bay.

The only two countries not represented yet are the United States and Japan.

One player who won't represent the United States will be Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, who declined an invitation because of a sore shoulder, MLB.com reported.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar05/news/story?id=2101332

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I read this yersterday...

and I am just praying matsui doesn't get on the all star team. I would love to see ichiro in the home run derby. The only problem is that people will bitch about "why is he in the home run derby, he can't him homers, he doesn't even hit more then 20 in a year...." I could see ichiro just tee off and win it.

by Grubbie on Jul 6, 2005 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think the announcers would

complain, most of the ESPN guys go on and on about how Ichiro can hit them out at will during BP just like the M's announcers do.

I'd be interested in watching this as well.

by bluemax on Jul 6, 2005 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ichiro

As much as I would love to see this, I think it could be bad for baseball. Don't get me wrong...I would absolutely LOVE to see Ichiro in the HR Derby, but here's the thing...I think he could win. I go on the road and watch the M's quite frequently, so I've seen him take BP several times, and he hits some bombs! But, if he did win, what kind of whirlwind would that create? Not only for him (Can you imagine how many times he'd have to answer "So, why don't you hit more HR in the season?") but for baseball in general. I mean c'mon...Ichiro winning the HR Derby? It would just kind of flip the baseball world on its proverbial head. I would love to see that happen, it would just be weird, I guess...

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by ConorGlassey on Jul 7, 2005 11:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs