Home Run Derby Is Starting to Resemble Slam Dunk Contest

So…did anyone actually sit through all three hours of the Home Run Derby last night? I know I didn’t.

I was able to make it through the first couple rounds, but with the finals coming down to Big Papi and Hanley Ramirez, there was just something missing from me being able to force myself to watch the final round where Papi would go on to win.

Much like the Slam Dunk Contest in the NBA, the Home Run Derby is starting to become less and less star-studded. Sure, there are still players like Miguel Cabrera and Big Papi, but the guys that everyone would really want to watch are no longer participating. Sound familiar?

Where was Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, or Josh Hamilton? Even an over the hill Vlad Guerrero would have sufficed. But to have guys like Chris Young, Vernon Wells, and Nick Swisher being in the Derby, it just makes it seem much more of a watered down event. Much like the Slam Dunk Contest without Kobe and LeBron.

And assuming this trend keeps up of players not wanting to participate in the Derby, like the NBA, is MLB going to start having to invite players who aren’t even All Star participants? I hate Adam Dunn, but watching him tee off on some 60 mph change-ups would probably be more exciting than watching what I saw last night.

Give me an old school re-run of “Home Run Derby” any day of the week over this boring garbage. At least this way I won’t have to listen to Chris Berman’s infamous, “back, back back” saying anymore.