Albert Pujols proved his mortality when he stubbed his toe in Monday evening’s MLB Home Run Derby.
The hometown favorite had to participate in a “bat off” just to make it past the first round. In an event that seemed to lack the drama and entertainment value of recent years’ competitions, the 2009 event was eventually won by Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder over Texas’ Nelson Cruz.
Pujols wasn’t involved in the finals, having been eliminated in the second round.
The reason? Though some may suggest ESPN and national attention as well as local pressure, I suspect another factor did Pujols in. Though Albert would never admit it, I think he may have lost due to unfamiliarity with his batting practice pitcher.
Regular Cardinals batting practice pitcher Dave McKay, who has pitched to Pujols pretty much every day for the last nine seasons, was unavailable for Home Run Derby duty this year so Pujols invited Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante to do the honors instead.
Dorante was the manager of a Dominican Winter League club for which Pujols had planned to play in the past before backing out due to injury. Pujols watched Dorante throw batting practice at a recent Cards-Bucs series and popped the question, “Would Dorante pitch to him in the Home Run Derby?”
Nothing against Dorante. It wasn’t his fault that Pujols struggled. He didn’t swing the bat for Albert. Yet it was very clear to me watching that the hometown slugger was uneasy with the offerings presented to him.
Even before ESPN commentator Joe Morgan noted it during the second round, I was repeating over and over that Dorante’s pitches to Pujols seemed too high, too far up in the zone. Obviously uncomfortable with the offerings, Pujols seemed to lay off a majority of them and he appeared to have trouble squaring up on the ones he did go after.
While the winner of an All-Star exhibition has no lasting meaning, it seemed a missed opportunity in that Pujols was not in the best position to excel in the spotlight.
I was at least able to endure three hours of Chris Berman and his back, back, back, GONE. Fifty two weeks until I have to listen to that voice again.
Agreed, DD. His act is about as diverse as Larry the Cable Guy’s. He’s definitely become a caricature of himself.
I was mesmerized by the entire event. I will say that being someone that is familiar with high pressure performance scenarios, my earlier speculations about Albert’s self imaging processes were very accurate, if you can remember probably being angered by said statements. I’m sure that DeWitt was relieved in more than one way. The 1yr period between July 31 and 7/31/2010 will be interesting indeed for Cardinal Fans.
Aside from WCBW mysticism, I will say this. The Home Run Derby is not just a lot like a carnival mid-way game to fleece the foolish. It iS a carnival game to fleece the foolish! The carnies are ESPN and MLB. I watched a slow pitch beast stand up at SF’s park and hit 13 out on 20 swings out. 5 in a row splashing in the bay. Any one of those guys could have hit 40 hrs in the hardball contest, just by admitting that it wasn’t about baseball and heroism. I would wager strongly on that statement. The event really needs to be done from the mound. 25 pitches…….. hit what you can….where you can. Less stress for the athletes, more ingenuity for the hitter/ pitcher team. Albert wins that contest. Batting practice warm ups before the game were never intended to be a model for a competition. Not only is it harmful, it reveals that highly paid professional athletes can be made to look just like foolish farm boys trying to impress their girls. Sad in a way.
Also, he lost that guy a chance at a car. He looked rather dejected that he didn’t come through for the guy.
Not to worry about your thoughts, WCBW. They can be sufficiently obscure as to prevent anger.
On the plus side, I do give you credit for being alert to the Schumaker move and to Khalil’s stuff. You were way ahead of me on those.
P.S. There is nothing wrong with farm boys or city slickers being foolish in a good cause. Gals expect some impressing.
Solid Jumbo.