Mauer Home Run Derby!!!

[HossFisher]

Looks like our hometown boy is gonna be putting on a show in the home run derby. Should be fun to see him in a competition like this. Apparently he can put a show on in batting practice at will. Any predictions?

[PierBridge]

I'll take him to Win it ALL!!!!

[Scott K]

I think he will do well, but there is some good hitters for competion.

[solbes]

He is a hit making magician. I know he can hit for more power at the expense of BA, but I don't see him winning this. I do think it'll be a lot of fun to watch. Kudo's to those who invited him!

[bassNspear]

I think he will hit a few, but not going to win it. He is a hitting machine forsure, but not all about hitting bombs. Awesome all around hitter

[Scott K]

I remember an article awhile back that Joe could knock out 50 in a row in batting practice, and I believe it was Justin that made the coment that he would win the home run derby if he had the chance. It will be interesting. I just hope it doesn't effect his swing during the game.

[Neighbor_guy]

I dont know, he is bringing in his old high school coach to pitch for him, so we will see...

My prediction, 1 round and out. But I have been wrong before.

[SledNeck]

joe is a smart enough hitter that the HR wont do anything negative to his swing

I think the HR derby being blamed for a downward slide in hitters numbers is HOGWASH. These guys are supposed to be professionals.

[Scott K]

I hope your right!

[genegodawa]

I'm wit youze guyz....hope it doesn't affect his overal approach to hitting in the games that count.

[SledNeck]

these guys have been hitting all their lives and professionally for YEARS. How in the heck can a few minutes of trying to hit home runs with a BP pitcher CHANGE their swing for the rest of the season. This is so far fetched that Im suprised its given any credibility.

[KMR85]

You are correct sir.

[PierBridge]

these guys have been hitting all their lives and professionally for YEARS. How in the heck can a few minutes of trying to hit home runs with a BP pitcher CHANGE their swing for the rest of the season. This is so far fetched that Im suprised its given any credibility.

Physically It's extremely tiresome believe it or not especially for the guys that keep advancing and you do change your swing a bit in this competition also which can lead to problems down the road.

Hitting a baseball is pretty difficult to say the least and even the slightest seemingly meaningless changes can effect the art of hitting a baseball.

It's kind of like Golf in a way~

[Drewski]

these guys have been hitting all their lives and professionally for YEARS. How in the heck can a few minutes of trying to hit home runs with a BP pitcher CHANGE their swing for the rest of the season. This is so far fetched that Im suprised its given any credibility.

Agree 100%.

[UdeLakeTom]

Originally Posted By: SledNeck

these guys have been hitting all their lives and professionally for YEARS. How in the heck can a few minutes of trying to hit home runs with a BP pitcher CHANGE their swing for the rest of the season. This is so far fetched that Im suprised its given any credibility.

Physically It's extremely tiresome believe it or not especially for the guys that keep advancing and you do change your swing a bit in this competition also which can lead to problems down the road.

Hitting a baseball is pretty difficult to say the least and even the slightest seemingly meaningless changes can effect the art of hitting a baseball.

It's kind of like Golf in a way~

Kinda like playing homerun derby as a kid...ya would get in the habit of dropping your shoulder to get the upper cut.

[genegodawa]

Being somewhat superstitious, I say "don't mess wit success"

[knoppers]

during tonights game they showed mauer hitting during batting practice, and he would swing easy in his smooth stroke and hit the ball off the facing of the upper deck. he has a good chance to win it, the home town slugger for st. loius will give him a run though.

[DonBo]

I think this may be GOOD for his swing. Have you watched him the last couple games? Four strikeouts yesterday!

I just hope he doesn't embarass himself with slap hits to left field.

[dan z]

I hope he hits a few and then just kinda slaps a few to the outfield so he dont hurt his swing

[IFallsRon]

Four whiffs in one game pretty much qualifies him as a slugger. I see he's listed at 8-1, not the favorite and not the goat.

It's set up for Pujols to be the hometown star.

Adrian Gonzalez 5/1

Albert Pujols 2/1

Brandon Inge 10/1

Carlos Pena 6/1

Joe Mauer 8/1

Nelson Cruz 8/1

Prince Fielder 3/1

Ryan Howard 2.5/1

[HossFisher]

I think he has a very good shot at putting out the most home runs. As far as distance however, Pujols and Howard may be hitting them twice as far as Mauer if he just puts them two rows deep into left field again

[Morneau132]

KFAN put it this way this morning.... Tiger Woods could go out and swing for a day like Happy Gilmore and then go back to the range the next day and "fix" his swing back to normal.... Why can't Mauer just take an hour of BP after the All Star Game....

[Cooter]

I'm gonna have to sit down with a couple cold ones and watch tonight. I'll be rooting for Fielder and Mauer but just hope its a good show.

[DTro]

I see the Hamiltonathon continues into the 2009 contest. Almost as if he won it last year. I could've sworn that someone else won it last year. hmmmm

[DTro]

Nice showing by Joe.

[KMR85]

Not bad for his first time. I think the pitching could have been a little more consistent...seemed like he was waiting for a good pitch quite a bit.

[DTro]

He might not be done yet!

[wahoohendoo]

not bad,but that joe morgan i cant stand. listening to his one track mind drives me nuts!

[HossFisher]

Wait... Mauer was in the Home Run Derby??? I could hardly tell by the few times they mentioned his name in that first round! I think he could have done a lot better with some good pitching, but it was cool to see him showing respect to his high school coach.

[zamboni]

not bad,but that joe morgan i cant stand. listening to his one track mind drives me nuts!

Joe Morgan bugs you???? What about Chris Berman??? His routine got old in 1983.