2004 ASG Homerun Derby

[Crash Course]

any predictions on a winner?
will you watch it?

[Makofan]

If Bonds wants to, he'll win it. I've seen him before in HR competitions, and when he tries, he's unstoppable

[mgoettsche]

I suspect that Jr's injury takes some of the luster off Barry's effort. Hey, he's been there, done that. But I think he would have really liked to win with all 4 active 500-HR guys in the contest.

I hope he still puts forth his best effort...its his to lose.

[Crash Course]

Giambi has now begged out.
I wonder who will replace him?

I'd love to see Matsui get in.
I think he could win it - but, none of his would be the 500 foot blasts that people like to see.

[Crash Course]

Saw the 1st and last round.
Good for Miggy.
I always like it when the person not supposed to be there wins.

[Crash Course]

BTW, FWIW, I think 3 hours is too long for this. How many kids saw the end?
Make it 2 hours, or start it at 7 PM EST, IMHO.

[mainsr]

I watched the first round. It looked fun when I'd seen snippets of it in the past. I won't watch it again.

1. Too long. Like all those kids on the Eastern time zone who never get to see Series games, I go to bed at 10.

2. Too hokey. Fawning interviews, Chris Berman trying to manufacture excitement. ("Way back...it's OUT OF HERE!!" on a guy's third successive homer.) It struck me as made for casual fans whose interest might otherwise stray (sort of like the brilliant idea of putting webs on the bases).

3. Too many commercials.

I did like seeing all the old-timers. Being old enough to have seen all of them play either live or on TV, it was a bit shocking to see how old some of them have gotten. (And yes, Crash, I HAVE looked in the mirror lately, and I look better than Mays and McCovey. But did you see Ernie Banks? Pretty sprightly for a 73-year-old with two fake knees.)

[Craig S.]

I can't watch it. Too many breaks between hitters, and too much Chris Berman.

I was impressed when I saw the highlights of Tejada hitting.

[Crash Course]

Boomer's genuflecting of all things San Fran Giant related was somewhat annoying.

[Sidewinder]

It's Chris Berman's nicknames and other abuses of player's names (Tejada they come, Tejada they fall) that I found particularly annoying. I wonder if he irritates his co-announcers as much as he irritates me.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

I actually thought that one was mildly clever.

There's a reason you only see Berman at "special events". He's even more annoying live -- he does the Football HoF induction ceremonies, and repeats himself endlessly. And, OH, BY THE WAY ... did I mention that he repeats himself endlessly? And, OH, BY THE WAY...

[Sidewinder]

You're right, that one probably isn't so bad. His schtick is so annoying that I don't cut him much slack I guess.