The 2016 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game

Okay, all of these events went down Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

I would like to give some kudos to whoever decides how the Home Run Derby gets organized, it has improved a lot since when I started blogging in 2013.

HOME RUN DERBY
July 11th



(taken from www.sbnation.com)

ROUND 1

Mark Trumbo (16)  vs. Corey Seager (15)

Let me tell you, at first it looked like Seager had it in the bag but then Trumbo started going at it... at least eight in a row.

Robinson Cano (7)  vs. Giancarlo Stanton (24)

Cano won the home run derby a few years back, but it appears he hasn't been hitting well after that.

Adam Duvall (11)  vs. Wil Myers (10)

Todd Frazier (13) vs. Carlos Gonzalez (12)

ROUND 2

Mark Trumbo (14) vs. Giancarlo Stanton (17)

Adam Duvall (15) vs. Todd Frazier (16)

ROUND 3

Giancarlo Stanton (20) vs. Todd Frazier (13)

GIANCARLO STANTON IS THE 2016 WINNER OF THE HOME RUN DERBY!!


ALL-STAR GAME
July 12th

National League (2) vs. American League (4)

I was holding my breath, considering Britton was delivering the pitches at the top of the ninth and the game was already pretty close. Fortunately he didn't blow it but someone could teach him how to do that when he's playing with the Orioles. Better yet teach Jimenez how to pitch in that fashion and not blow up in the first inning.

Until now, I haven't really done much looking at the starting line-up for the All-Star Game so here's the list:

American League
Catcher     Salvador Perez (Royals)
First Base  Eric Hosmer (Royals)
Second Base Jose Altuve (Astros)
Third Base Manny Machado (Orioles)
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox)
Outfield Mike Trout (Angels)
Outfield Jackie Bradley Jr. (Red Sox)
Outfield Mookie Betts (Red Sox)
Designated Hitter David Ortiz (Red Sox)

Reserves (limited to just the Orioles): Matt Wieters (C), Mark Trumbo (OF), Brad Brach (P), Zach Britton (P)

National League
Catcher Buster Posey (Giants)
First Base Anthony Rizzo (Cubs)
Second Base Ben Zobrist (Cubs)
Third Base Kris Bryant (Cubs)
Shortstop Addison Russell (Cubs)
Outfield Yoenis Cespedes (Mets)
Outfield Dexter Fowler (Cubs)
Outfield Bryce Harper (Nationals)

Lots of players on the National League are from the Cubs.

Eric Hosmer won for Most Valuable Player.


Apparently the Orioles were a candidate to host the 2016 All-Star Game but ultimately they decided on the San Diego Padres. So I guess they don't stick with the alternating American and National League hosting spots?