I’m a big supporter of the idea of a Baseball World Cup, and so the idea of holding the Home Run Derby as an international event was awesome to me - it turned what was basically a BP exhibition into a proper contest. I guess I’ve seen how much players care about international matches in football/soccer, and it’s just fun to see that same passion translated today into baseball - the Latin Americans, especially, seemed really into it. The Dominican crew was clearly were rooting for Ortiz, and Bobby Abreu was all, “I’m so proud for my country… I’m so happy to win this trophy for my country”. Genuine excitement rather than platitudes - such great fun. Even some of the commentators seemed to have become converts to the format - the fact is, as long as it matters to the players, that makes them put on a great contest. Jason Bay must be mortified.
And if you don’t know Bobby Abreu by now, you will never never know him. 41 homers in one day. I suppose he moves off the all-underrated team now.