St. Louis’ most like latino guy won’t be dropping any long balls in to the stands at this year’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby in Anaheim, CA. Like Jim Edmonds before him, he felt that after participating before his power numbers declined in the second half of the season and he doesn’t want to do that again.
…probably something about the All-Star Game being in St. Louis last year had a little something to do with it as well.
“I don’t have any problem doing it, but I want to concentrate on the second half,” Pujols said. “I enjoyed every moment that I did it. I don’t regret it, and that doesn’t mean I would never do it again. I wouldn’t mind doing it again. I just feel that right now, this is not the time. “
1st half of 2009: 32 HRs and 87 RBIs
2nd half of 2009: 15 HRs and 48 RBIs
Though we have a hard time believing that his second half drop was all about the Home Run Derby (for instance: injury, or the fact he had a huge first-half), we see his point.
So who can we look forward too? Joe Mauer, A-Rod, Josh Hamilton? Who knows…but we have heard that Tony LaRussa has been making a case for Aaron Miles.
We’re kidding.
Hopefully…I mean who knows at this point.