Being in attendance tonight, I can't wait to experience my first Home Run Derby.
The field is stacked, and baseball fans should expect one of the highest scoring Derbies in history.
After all, the highest scoring derby in history was in New York back in 2008.
Remember this?
Believer it or not, Hamilton's 35 homers ranks only second most in a single Derby.
Here's the leaderboard:
1. Bobby Abreu - 41 (2005 at Comerica Park)
2. Josh Hamilton - 35 (2008 at Yankee Stadium)
3. Robinson Cano - 32 (2011 at Chase Field)
David Ortiz - 32 (2010 at Angel Stadium)
5. Adrian Gonzalez - 31 (2011 at Chase Field)
6. Prince Fielder - 28 (2012 at Kauffman Stadium)
7. Miguel Tejada - 27 (2004 at Minute Maid Park)
8. Sammy Sosa - 26 (2000 at Turner Field)
Albert Pujols - 26 (2003 at US Cellular Field)
Hanley Ramirez - 26 (2010 at Angel Stadium)
The Winners:
2012 - Kauffman Stadium - Prince Fielder (28)
2011 - Chase Field - Robinson Cano (32)
2010 - Angel Stadium - David Ortiz (32)
2009 - Busch Stadium - Prince Fielder (23)
2008 - Yankee Stadium - Justin Morneau (22)
2007 - AT&T Park - Vladimir Guerrero (17)
2006 - PNC Park - Ryan Howard (23)
2005 - Comerica Park - Bobby Abreu (41)
2004 - Minute Maid Park - Miguel Tejada (27)
2003 - US Cellular Field - Garrett Anderson (22)
2002 - Miller Park - Jason Giambi (24)
2001 - Safeco Field - Luis Gonzalez (16)
2000 - Turner Field - Sammy Sosa (26)
1999 - Fenway Park - Ken Griffey Jr. (16)
1998 - Coors Field - Ken Griffey Jr. (19)
1997 - Jacobs Field - Tino Martinez (16)
1996 - Veterans Stadium - Barry Bonds (17)
1995 - Ballpark in Arlington - Frank Thomas (15)
1994 - Three Rivers Stadium - Ken Griffey Jr. (7)
1993 - Camden Yards - Juan Gonzalez (7)
1992 - Jack Murphy Stadium - Mark McGwire (12)
1991 - Sky Dome - Cal Ripken Jr. (12)
1990 - Wrigley Field - Ryne Sandberg (3)
1989 - Anaheim Stadium - Eric Davis (3)
1987 - Oakland Coliseum - Andre Dawson (4)
1986 - Astrodome - Wally Joyner & Darryl Strawberry (3 each)
1985 - The Metrodome - Dave Parker (6)
This Years Competitors:
AL:
Prince Fielder - 16 HRs this year
- 5th appearance, 2-time champion, 63 career Derby HRs)
2007 - AT&T Park - eliminated in 1st round (3 HRs)
2009 - Busch Stadium - Champion (23 HRs)
- 11 first round, 6 in the semifinals, 6 in the finals to beat Nelson Cruz
2011 - Chase Field - eliminated in semifinals (9 HRs)
2012 - Kauffman Stadium - Champion (28 HRs)
- 5 first round, 11 in the semifinals, 12 in the finals to beat Jose Bautista
My Prediciton: Tonight's Champion - 32 HRs
Chris Davis - 37 HRs this year
- 1st career appearance
My Prediction: 1st Round Exit - 5 HRs, all late in round, lack of experience is a major factor, hits the furthest home run of the night off the Pepsi-Cola sign in RF
Yoenis Cespedes - 15 HRs this year
- 1st career appearance
My Prediction: 1st Round Exit - 3 HRs - too good of a hitter to change his swing and go upper-cut
Robinson Cano - 21 HRs this year
- 3rd career appearance, 2011 champion, 32 career Derby HRs
2011 - Chase Field - Champion (32 HRs)
- 8 in the first round, 12 in the semifinals, 12 in the finals to edge out Adrian Gonzalez
2012 - Kauffman Stadium (O HRs - booed off the field)
My Prediction: gets off the snide but falls short of moving on - 4 HRs
NL:
David Wright - 13 HRs this year
- 2nd career appearance, 2006 runner-up
2006 - PNC Park - Runner-Up (22 HRs)
- 16 in the first round, 2 in the semifinals, 4 in the finals losing to Ryan Howard by 1
My Prediction: gives the Mets' faithful something to cheer about, hitting 8 in the first round but falling in the semifinals after only hitting 3
Michael Cuddyer - 16 HRs this year
- 1st career appearance
My Prediction - not cut out for the Derby - 1 HR, first round exit
Pedro Alvarez - 24 HRs this year
- 1st career appearance
My Prediction: puts on a show in round one to kick off the Derby, just falls short of the finals
Bryce Harper - 13 HRs this year
- 1st career appearance
My Prediction: Runner-Up to Fielder, kid shows why he was so heavily watched as high schooler, hitting some 500-foot bombs but falling in the finals to the veteran Prince
My Prediction:
1. Prince Fielder - 9-13-10 (32)
2. Bryce Harper - 10-12-5 (27)
3. Pedro Alvarez - 13-5 (18)
4. David Wright - 8-3 (11)
5. Chris Davis - 5 (5)
6. Robinson Cano - 4 (4)
7. Yoenis Cespedes - 3 (3)
8. Michael Cuddyer - 1 (1)
The Experience (Total Derby HRs):
Prince Fielder - 63
Robinson Cano - 32
David Wright - 22
Two Best Spots to Catch HRs:
1. Above the RF Upper Deck under the Pepsi Cola sign
- It will be an underrated spot for tonight because of how short that higher porch is in right. Fielder, Alvarez, Harper and Davis will pepper that thing
2. the Shea Bridge
- Where the TV cameras and major crowds will be situated. Space to move will be at a minimum
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