The 2009 Home Run Derby: Albert Pujols Is in, Who Else Should Join Him?

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

It’s not even two weeks into the season, and already we're getting our first nugget of All-Star Game festivities chatter.

Bring it on!

Undoubtedly, the MLB's Home Run Derby, held the Monday night before the All-Star Game, has become king of all the All-Star festivity events.

The NBA dunk contest hasn't meant anything in years, since the days of MJ and Dominique Wilkins, back during a time when the elite of the game actually competed, and wanted victory, in the event.

The NHL skills competition is fantastic, but just like the rest of the sport, hasn't found the wide-ranging audience it deserves.

And the NFL Pro Bowl? Let's just imagine that it never actually happens.

But the derby, each year, provides us with fascinating storylines, breathtaking performances, and a chance to oggle the game's elite pulling off the greatest feat in sports, the home run.

No matter how old I get, I'll never grow weary of plunking down on my couch each July to take in the event, one of the 10 best days in sports.

So it came, as music to my ears on Thursday when it was announced that Albert Pujols plans to take part in this year's contest. It's only fitting, seeing how it's going to be in front of his frenzied home crowd at Busch Stadium.

This will be the Cardinals' sluggers' third time competing, his first since 2007. Back in '03 he made it all the way to the finals at U.S. Cellular Field, where he lost to Garret Anderson (Garret Anderson!?) by a mere one long ball.

Being one of the faces of baseball's shrinking steroid-free heroes list, it's always a treat to watch Pujols swing the bat, let alone knowing that he's looking to go yard.

He, along with many others, has said they don't really like to take part in the competition because it messes with their swing. This is a reasonable argument, but for the sake of the fans, who in all reality the game is actually for, it's always better to have the big-name boys swinging the lumber.

And I'm sure once they get going, and the crowd is getting in to it, they forget all about the few games worth of mechanics they're sacrificing for the sake of the derby.

After all, it's the freaking home run derby. It's awesome!

So with the news of Albert signing in blood to participate, it got me to thinking about whom else I'd like to spend my July 13 night with.

And so, in no particular order, here are my picks for the other seven contestants to participate in the Home Run Derby.

    * Alex Rodriguez

Sure, the guy's recovering from surgery and hasn't even participated in a game this season. But come on, who needs it—and I mean REALLY needs it—more than A-Rod? This guy is coming off one of the most damaging offseasons in recent memory, and without question the Derby can be his saving grace.

Look, we all know the lepers that Bonds, Clemens, Sosa and McGuire became because of their (cough) alleged (cough) steroid use. But I believe that the way they handled their respective situations was more of a factor in their becoming media and social outcasts, than their actual cheating did.

America, especially its sports fans, are forgiving people.

It's the media's 24/7 cramming information and coverage down our throats that creates the illusion of hatred and repulsion towar

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