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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Home Run Derby 2012: Final Opening Thoughts

My first final opening thought is that the Home Run Derby isn’t over yet. As a matter of fact, it hasn’t even begun, which is why I’m writing about final opening thoughts after 8pm Eastern. I’m presently watching the Zac Brown Band rock the f*** out because Chris Berman didn’t get the fans energized enough when he asked if all of them were ready for long balls. He did that again, for at least the second year in a row. He basically asked each individual fan if he was ready for long balls. Of course they’re ready! They’re at the Home Run Derby! They are literally ready for long balls more than they are ready for anything else!

The supposed-to-be moving intro to tonight’s presentation on ESPN showed a highlight reel of memorable home runs throughout baseball history, and alleged that there are home runs that you never forget. That is absolutely correct, I will never forget Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run, or Joe Carter’s home run in the World Series. Those home runs were not hit in the Home Run Derby. I am being completely honest when I say I don’t remember any individual home run in a Home Run Derby ever hit. I do remember how every individual home run was called, by Chris Berman. (So do you!)

For the first time, I am live-blogging this thing from my mother’s house instead of from my apartment, which is completely irrelevant to you, and completely relevant to me. There are distractions here, and dogs. And cable I’m not familiar with. When I first turned on the TV I landed on ESPN Deportes. Thinking about going back to ESPN Deportes. If this live blog isn’t very enjoyable, blame my mother’s house. Or the Home Run Derby.

Robinson Cano just got booed again for not selecting Royals slugger Billy Butler. But I don't know what these fans are upset about, the Derby's first batter is going to be Carlos Beltran and it's not like Kansas City needs two representatives out of eight. Don't be greedy!

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