I recently relayed my idea for how Luis Robert Jr. could steal the show at Monday’s Home Run Derby in Seattle to one of his Chicago White Sox teammates.I wasn’t sure if he meant it was a cool idea or that I was disturbed, and since both were possibilities, I let it go. I then attempted to give my idea to Robert but was informed by his handler he was not talking that day. An attempt to interview Sox bullpen catcher Luis Sierra, who will be throwing to Robert in the derby, also was rebuffed.
In 1995 in Texas, Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa hit only two home runs and was eliminated in the first round. That year’s winner was Sox first baseman Frank Thomas, who launched 15 home runs a combined 6,488 feet to beat out Sosa and six other All-Stars. No matter who is favored, it should be fun to watch as Robert takes on Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, the No. 8 seed, in the first round. The other matchups are No. 2 Alonso vs. No. 7 Julio Rodríguez, No. 3 Mookie Betts vs. No. 6 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and No. 4 García vs. No. 5 Arozarena.
I could relate, having muted the Fox broadcast, when not covering the game, to avoid listening to what essentially has become an MLB infomercial.Baseball’s All-Star Game still is far superior to similar versions in the NBA, NFL and NHL, but it has changed so much over the years, it’s almost unrecognizable.