02:55
Faizan
Bryce Harper has signified interest in participating in the Home Run Derby, but it would be under one condition. He must be selected to be on the team, which is quite likely for several reasons.
He is the best known player in the National League, having won both the award as the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. Fans will very likely elect him as a starter, in spite of somewhat of a down year so far.
On the rare chance that he does not get the fan vote, Harper will be certain to make the team as a reserve. Not only is he deserving talent-wise, but the game is being played in his home stadium in Washington.
Almost forty years earlier, the last time the nation's capitol hosted the Midsummer Classic, another popular outfielder was selected to start in front of the home team crowd. Had there been such a contest as the Home Run Derby back then, this guy would surely have been one of the contestants.
After all, Frank Howard of the Washington Senators had led the league with 44 home runs the year before, the first of three in which he would reach the forty homer plateau. Much to the delight of the home town fans, Howard hit one out in his first at bat.
Unfortunately, the stars from the Senior Circuit had already plated three runs before Howard went deep, highlighted by a two run homer from Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench in the top half of the second. An inning later another of the dozen future Hall of Famers who played in that game, San Francisco first baseman Wilie McCovey, had a two run blast.
Stretch McCovey was not finished yet, as he hit another blast in his next at bat. Not only was it impressive enough that it put the game basically out of reach, but even more so because McCovey hit it off of reigning Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers.C
After slamming those two home runs, the obvious choice for the game's M.V.P. was indeed McCovey. He and his fellow stars from the N.L. ended up with a nine to three victory, continuing a streak that saw the Senior Circuit win all but one Midsummer Classic over a span of seventeen years.
Fans in Washington who were disappointed that their team lost back then, are hoping now that the A.L. team loses this year. The new D.C. team is in the National League with a different name and a different stadium than the RFK park from 1969.
Two other aspects that are likely to differ in this contest are reflective of the way the sport has evolved over the past forty years. That last contest in Washington was played at two in the afternoon, and it took only two and a half hours to complete.over
He is the best known player in the National League, having won both the award as the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. Fans will very likely elect him as a starter, in spite of somewhat of a down year so far.
On the rare chance that he does not get the fan vote, Harper will be certain to make the team as a reserve. Not only is he deserving talent-wise, but the game is being played in his home stadium in Washington.
Almost forty years earlier, the last time the nation's capitol hosted the Midsummer Classic, another popular outfielder was selected to start in front of the home team crowd. Had there been such a contest as the Home Run Derby back then, this guy would surely have been one of the contestants.
After all, Frank Howard of the Washington Senators had led the league with 44 home runs the year before, the first of three in which he would reach the forty homer plateau. Much to the delight of the home town fans, Howard hit one out in his first at bat.
Unfortunately, the stars from the Senior Circuit had already plated three runs before Howard went deep, highlighted by a two run homer from Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench in the top half of the second. An inning later another of the dozen future Hall of Famers who played in that game, San Francisco first baseman Wilie McCovey, had a two run blast.
Stretch McCovey was not finished yet, as he hit another blast in his next at bat. Not only was it impressive enough that it put the game basically out of reach, but even more so because McCovey hit it off of reigning Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers.C
After slamming those two home runs, the obvious choice for the game's M.V.P. was indeed McCovey. He and his fellow stars from the N.L. ended up with a nine to three victory, continuing a streak that saw the Senior Circuit win all but one Midsummer Classic over a span of seventeen years.
Fans in Washington who were disappointed that their team lost back then, are hoping now that the A.L. team loses this year. The new D.C. team is in the National League with a different name and a different stadium than the RFK park from 1969.
Two other aspects that are likely to differ in this contest are reflective of the way the sport has evolved over the past forty years. That last contest in Washington was played at two in the afternoon, and it took only two and a half hours to complete.over
