Albert takes a stand
Though I had originally thought that MLB was simply being incompetent by not including Albert Pujols in the Home Run Derby once Ken Griffey was injured, it turns out that Pujols turned down their offer. Though he did not explicitly say it, Albert did indicate that if he had been selected in the first place he’d have participated. He should have been asked initially – he came one HR away from winning in 2003 -- rather than Sosa (or Griffey), but once he was omitted he took offense, albeit pretty mildly. But how did Lance Berkman become part of this? I realize he is a hometown guy, but he has 16 HRs and, really, who wants to see him? I had assumed Adam Dunn would get the nod in place of his teammate and it is too bad he did not once Pujols declined. Watching Dunn blast balls in Houston would have been a thrill to watch.