I have always found the Home Run Derby to be one of the most exciting events on the baseball calendar every year. There is something simple and satisfying about seeing people swing as hard as they can and smash baseballs as far as possible.
This season a combination of factors have transpired that have conspired to somewhat dampen my particular enthusiasm for the event.
- The rules have changed such that participants no longer have a time limit but instead a limited number of swings.
- Hunter Goodman, who is tied for fourth most home runs in the majors, wasn’t named as a participant.
Losing out on the frenetic pace of recent derbies was one thing but having a Rockies hitter who had a legitimate case to participate
be snubbed has somewhat dimmed my excitement for this otherwise incredible event.
There are still plenty of exciting names in the derby (Jordan Walker!) and it will still be fun to baseballs get smashed but, for me, I worry something will feel missing from past years.
So, that brings me to our question:
If you were commissioner, would you make any changes to the Home Run Derby?
Would you want changes to the actual rules of how the Derby is played or perhaps a difference in the participant selection process?
Let us know in the comments!
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