Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez will participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby, chosen by National League captain David Wright in place of the injured Carlos Gonzalez.
Many Pittsburgh fans were up in arms after Alvarez, tied for second in the NL with 23 homers, was not picked for the home run-hitting contest at New York’s Citi Field. Mets third baseman David Wright selected Gonzalez, Bryce Harper and childhood friend Michael Cuddyer to the NL team, even though Alvarez and Philadelphia’s Domonic Brown both had more home runs than Harper or Cuddyer.
Wright was expected to receive boos from Pirates fans during the Mets’ weekend series at PNC Park.
“Obviously our fanbase will have an opportunity to show their feelings this weekend,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle joked this week after Alvarez was not chosen. “We have a passionate group here in Pittsburgh.”
Alvarez is in now, getting the opportunity to swing for the Home Run Derby title in his hometown of New York City. The 26-year-old becomes the fifth Pirates hitter to hit in the Derby, joining Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds, Jason Bay and Andrew McCutchen, none of whom won the contest.
It’d be more fun to have more participants and determine the winner by who hits the longest home run. Give each participant 10 swings. Kind of like when hockey has the hardest slapshot contest I guess.
does three whiffs constitute an out in the derby?
His swing will be screwed up for 3 weeks after.
such a great, baseless comment
@capirate…
Yeah but it’s more fun to watch:
I’ve never had the chance to watch Pedro Alvarez try to jack as many long balls on BP as he can, let alone whole in the spotlight. I think it makes for good TV. More so than the All star game
Let’s worry about beating Mets, if Wright goes 0-12 so much the better!
Why should we care? Home run derby is even less meaningful than the All Star game – which is pretty worthless.
I still hope David Wright gets booed.
I think they should let the fans vote for who is in the Derby.
I don’t think a fan vote would have helped Pedro, he wouldnt get many votes outside of pittsburgh. Hopefully, if he keeps performing, he will start to get more acknowledgment nationally.
The derby will be his chance to shine
Well from a small list of players that the “Captain” selects I guess.
Other notable Pirates who have competed in the home run derby: BRANDON INGE!
who thinks there might be value in Pedro taking Inge with him to the derby as a “platoon option” ?