Home Run Derby
I'm usually not impressed by most "cool" or "hip" or "trendy" things. I
pride myself of requiring substance in the TV I watch, the books I
read, even the conversations I have. Even when I'm participating in
something for the pure fun or humor of the thing, I like to think
there's something deeper at the heart of it; something that makes a
connection on some "deeper" level.
One area where I've succumbed to the "bigger, better, now" tendency
of our society is the All-Star Homerun Derby. I consider myself a
baseball purist, in many ways, though I'm not one to think that things
were always "better" in the past. I do find myself, when I think about
the problems of today's game, longing for a more simple, fundamental,
team oriented approach to the game, but I don't try to pretend that
today's players aren't just as talented as their early counterparts.
The focus on the individual, and the home run, is distressing. The
atmosphere is such that a big lug of an outfielder, who's fielding is
suspect (at best) and who's ability to come through in clutch
situations is miserable, is often considered one of the greats of the
game. Granted, Mr. Sosa can hit the ball a mile, and that talent is
sometimes greatly appreciated by the starting pitcher, and almost
always appreciated by the fans (both in Chicago, and in every park he
goes to play). But, Sammy is NOT a great ball player. Great home run
hitter? Yes. But, he's really not a ballplayer. He's the Shaq of MLB.
And that's what worries me.
MLB is NOT the NBA. But, the more it BECOMES the NBA, with its
thug-star attitudes and glorification of ME, the more it will fade
farther and farther from the title of "America's Game".
But, I do enjoy watching the home run contest prior to the All-Star
Game. Its an appropriate forum for the individual to shine. His
teammates are not relying on him. The "bad" swings don't count against
the 27 outs your team is allotted your team in a real game.
What made last night's derby even better was that the participants
were more "all around" players, and yet, the display was almost as
amazing as any I've seen from the Sosa/McQuire clones. Albert Pujols
was hitting the ball to all fields, piling up point after point, not by
jerking the ball straight down the line, but by being a good,
consistent hitter. As far as I could tell, not a single ball broke the
500 foot barrier, yet I enjoyed watching last night's derby more than
many.
I've been assimilated.
esw - July 2003
I wrote this back in the day...the day before the steroids thing was so big. Back when I figured these guys were big and strong and that was bad because it limited their all-around playing ability.
Now, I see it a little differently. I do feel cheated, a bit. I can remember going to a Reds game in Cincinnati (around 2002 or 2003) when the Giants were in town. We went early to watch batting practice because of the way Barry Bonds can hit the ball. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, then.
Every time he hits another home run, now, and inches closer to breaking the home run record, it makes me cringe.
esw - Wednesday, March 21, 2007