Monday, July 15, 2013

2013 Home Run Derby

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
NEW YORK — They've been holding the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game since 1985, and they've been holding it in primetime since 1998, but tonight for the first time somebody wearing a Washington cap will be participating in the annual display of raw power.

Bryce Harper makes his Derby debut, and there's every reason to believe the Nationals' 20-year-old slugger will feel right at home in this event. He did, after all, win a similar contest as a 16-year-old amateur in 2009. And he'll have a familiar face pitching to him: his father, Ron.

Harper faces stiff competition in the Derby, most notably Orioles masher Chris Davis and Tigers first baseman (and defending champ) Prince Fielder, but he's got as good a shot at winning this thing as anybody else in the field.

Chase Hughes and I are both here at Citi Field to chronicle it, and we'll combine to post updates along the way on CSNwashington.com, so please be sure to check back throughout...

2013 HOME RUN DERBY
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 8 p.m. EDT
TV: ESPN
Radio: WTEM (980 AM), WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 88 degrees, Wind 6 mph LF to RF
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Prince Fielder (DET)
Yoenis Cespedes (OAK)
Chris Davis (BAL)
Robinson Cano (NYY)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Michael Cuddyer (COL)
Pedro Alvarez (PIT)
Bryce Harper (WASH)
David Wright (NYM)

7 p.m. — For updates throughout the Home Run Derby, follow along on our live running thread on CSNwashington.com.

29 comments:

Don said...

Predictions:

1. Chris Berman will annoy the truck outta my garage before the first batter even starts swinging.

2. Cespedes wins.

Good luck Ron Harper! (The kid is used to the big stage, not sure about the old man -- pulling for him.)

natsfan1a said...

Go, Bryce! Go, Pops!

sjm308 said...

I picked the Cuban earlier today!

sjm308 said...

Bryce's dad has to be nervous

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Don said:

Predictions:

1. Chris Berman will annoy the truck outta my garage before the first batter even starts swinging.

2. Cespides wins

Congrats, Don. 1) already is true. It happened 30 seconds into the broadcast. 2) is probably coming.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I stand stay his team, but listening to Craig Kimbrel's charity work with youth, I've just become a huge Craig Kimbrel fan.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Here we go! BRYCE

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I tuned in just at the right time... To see Bryce... Goooooooooo Bryce!!!!!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

This is great... I'm glad Bryce got his dad to throw to him... How people can talk about him negatively, I don't get....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

His dad almost HBP'd him!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bryce beat the Oriole. Ha!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

The old man is throwing cut fastballs? No wonder the Kid is a big leaguer.

David Proctor said...

Papa Harper was busting his son inside. He could've had way more if his dad threw good pitches. But I got the impression Harper cared more about the experience with his dad than winning anyway so...

A DC Wonk said...

Say what you want about this "show", but this evening was the first time I've watched it in many years

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bryce average 415 per HR vs Davis at 411

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David, not sure of there strategy but he may want them inside to pull them but Papa Harp was getting them way inside.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Yeah Wonk... I haven't watched it in years.... I tuned in at the right time...

Holden Baroque said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holden Baroque said...

Interesting that Bryce's dad is pitching, and not his brother. I wonder if he gets tired throwing that much?

David Proctor said...

So Harper needs 7 to get into a tiebreaker and 8 to make the finals.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bryce switched bats. Now swinging the gold bat!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bryce beat Davis which is awesome with all the bragging the B'moreons were doing.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bryce into the Finals!

David Proctor said...

He's in the finals!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Bryce is in the finals.... Nice...

David Proctor said...

Well Harper was very consistent. 8 in every round.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

What a show by Bryce!

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
natsfan1a said...

Atta way, Bryce! Atta way, Pops! I recorded the derby and clicked back and forth a few times before settling in to watch it a little bit after 9 PM. That way, I was able to "rewind" to see Bryce's first round, and I was in real time when his second turn came up. (Sorry, but I just could not bring myself to watch the whole show, although I did watch the final round.) Did see some other guys take their turns as well. How about old man Cuddyer? Plus, he does a mean card trick. Didn't realize he wore #3 because of Killebrew.

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