On Monday night the sluggers of the MLB will be swinging for the rocks in Anaheim during the 2010 Home Run Derby.
As of Wednesday afternoon, six out of eight slots have been filled. The list filled with household names such as David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday, and Corey Hart.
Wait…Hart?
That’s no typo; Brewers outfielder Corey Hart is adding to his renaissance season by accepting an invite to slug away in Anaheim.
Coming into the season, Hart was flooded with criticizism by fans and media alike for his lackluster play in 2008. The words grew even harsher when he won arbitration and his contract grew.
The frustration mounted even further when he played beyond poorly in spring training and earned himself a spot on the bench on Opening Day. Hart plattooned with veteran Jim Edmonds in right field for the first month of the season, then in mid May he picked it up.
Currently sitting with a team high 19 home runs and 61 RBI, Hart was selected to his second All Star Game as a reserve outfielder. His first selection came in 2008 as the Final Vote winner.
Going into the Derby, he is an underdog. But then again, teammate Prince Fielder was a 3:1 underdog last year when he took home the title in St. Louis.
As for the Brewers, they hope the popular event doesn’t ruin his swing.
Yankees skipper Joe Girardi said, “Physically, I think it is somewhat of a grind,”. The Bombers’ hitting coach said that he would rather Robinson Cano not do it.
This is the fourth consecutive season a Brewer has been selected, joining Fielder in 2007, Ryan Braun in New York, and Fielder again last season.
Corey Hart’s season just continues to get better after his dismal in 2009 performance.
If you had told me that in 2010 he’d be hitting .288 with 19 homers, be an All Star, and participate in the Home Run Derby, I would have thought you insane.
But now, all is good in Milwaukee with Corey Hart as the city will root him on in Anaheim on both Monday and Tuesday.
Don’t hit too many rocks, Corey.
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