Styles 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Giambi out, Tejada in! Tejada takes final Derby spot Giambi pulls out due to lingering sickness By Gary Washburn / MLB.com Miguel Tejada is hitting .311 with 15 homers and 75 RBIs before the All-Star break. (Nick Wass/AP) HOUSTON -- Miguel Tejada will have a little more on his All-Star plate. On Monday, he was named as a late replacement for former teammate Jason Giambi in the Century 21 Home Run Derby. Tejada, the Orioles' lone All-Star representative, will join teammate Rafael Palmeiro, Texas' Hank Blalock and Boston's David Ortiz in the home run hitting contest against the National League standouts tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Giambi could not participate because of a lingering sickness and Tejada accepted the invite on Monday morning. Tejada is known around the league as a run producer who can hit homers in bunches. He is hitting .311 for the Orioles with 15 homers and 75 RBIs. He is tied for 15th in the AL in home runs but Tejada has undeniable power. He has hit 122 home runs the past four seasons and socked 34 in 2002, the year he won the American League MVP award. This is Tejada's second All-Star Game and he finished fourth amongst AL shortstops in voting behind the Yankees' Derek Jeter, Boston's Nomar Garciaparra and Texas' Michael Young. He is second among AL shortstops in home runs to Chicago's John Valentin and first in RBIs. Tejada hit 19 homers in the second half of 2002, the year he hit a career high of 34. He is on pace to hit 30 this season. This will be Tejada's first Home Run Derby and will give the Orioles two participants for the first time. Palmeiro, who has 13 home runs, was invited as one of the active members of the 500 Home Run Club. Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. The participants: Lance Berkman, Astros Rafael Palmeiro, Orioles Hank Blalock, Rangers Sammy Sosa, Cubs Barry Bonds, Giants Miguel Tejada, Orioles David Ortiz, Red Sox Jim Thome, Phillies Should be fun, post your thoughts in this thread, I guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 It's a shame that fan ruined Ken Huckaby's shot at the Derby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 The All-Star workout's the best part of baseball's All-Star weekend. I went to the one at SkyDome years ago (Ripken won the HR Derby) and it was a lot of fun. Sadly, my apathy for baseball is such that I'm in Houston and I don't really care about it anymore... but I'll probably still watch, because I'm a sucker for watching guys swat homers... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I'll take Jim Thome, and I'll catch some of it. The real question is who will hit the most in the semi's and then not hit enough to win in the finals? Does anybody know how much tickets to these events costs? Isn't it pretty high? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I thought the Derby and All Star game was one package. I'll Say Thome is the guy who swats 18 in the first round and hits 2 in the finals while the consistant but steady and winner will be Blalock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted July 12, 2004 My money's on big scary ass David Ortiz. Because he's big and scary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 sidenote: Why the hell did Garciapara get more votes then Tejada? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 When Giambi and Griffey were in it I was looking forward to this derby more than any other one, except 1999. Now, I hope Sosa puts on a good show. Houston is a good place for him, with that short porch and the crawford boxes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Sosa/Thome finals with Sosa winning me thinks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 12, 2004 sidenote: Why the hell did Garciapara get more votes then Tejada? POP-U-LARITY. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I thought you had to be an All Star to take place in All Star events. I'd like to see Arron take some batting practice just for the hell of it. I bet he could still pop a few BP fastballs out and since my generation never saw him hit live it would be a thing of beauty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 What was the most dissapointing final round in recent history? For me it was the McGwire/Bonds final during McGwire's final year on the A's. Final round Bonds 3, McGwire 2......WEAK Althought it was more McGwire's fault since he went first and only hit 2, and Bonds hit 3 homeruns right away to win, he looked like he could go for more but didn't need to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 sidenote: Why the hell did Garciapara get more votes then Tejada? Because the voting was skewed towards the Sox and Yankees. Pokey Reese got votes. Explain that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 A couple thoughts..... 1. Chris Berman sucks. 2. The O's players should have brought Sidney Ponson instead of batting practice hitters. 3. They should have a minor league home run derby. The minors have more one-dimensional power hitters, and it might be alot of fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaYourCar 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Berman had that "I don't wanna be here" vibe for some reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Don't forget Minor's use Aluminum bats. That's more fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Figures they have a country singer for Houston. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaYourCar 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 The minors use aluminum bats? I thought that was just High School and College? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 If he doesn't want to be there, I'm sure some accomidation could be made. I'd love to see classic announcers like Vin Scully, Harry Kalas, etc. call the Derby. Hell, they'd make great All-Star announcers. Spare us McCarver and Buck. And keep Bob Costas the hell away from it as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 13, 2004 yeah your right. I got college and Minor's mixed up. My Bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 13, 2004 If he doesn't want to be there, I'm sure some accomidation could be made. I'd love to see classic announcers like Vin Scully, Harry Kalas, etc. call the Derby. Hell, they'd make great All-Star announcers. Spare us McCarver and Buck. And keep Bob Costas the hell away from it as well. Scully and Marty. Make it Happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 3. They should have a minor league home run derby. The minors have more one-dimensional power hitters, and it might be alot of fun. They do. It's tonight at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI. I just don't think it will be televised. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Just wait until they hold the Home Run Derby in Comerica Park (They should hold the derby in Tiger Stadium, and the game in Comerica) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 13, 2004 for anyone that follows Nascar...am I the only one who sees a resemblence between Lance Berkman and Mr. Bad Boy Tony Stewart? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Im pretty sure JR can just stand there and whack out a few dingers. PLAY DAMN YOU CRIPPLED BUM! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaYourCar 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Sosa will probably win this because he seems to hit homers pretty easily in Minute Maid Park. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 I think the effect of the left field bleachers is overstated. It won't really have a big effect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Bonds is playing the heel tonight "All of the 500 HR hitters are here tonight" *zoom to Randy Johnson* I'd be impressed if Babe Ruth showed up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 13, 2004 Sosa will probably win this because he seems to hit homers pretty easily in Minute Maid Park. He also appears to be on some form of Speed. Mr. Cub!!!! First time I've seen him since 98 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2004 The great Phillies slugger.. Ted Turner! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
