How Would You Sum Up The 2012 HR Derby?

Hello readers. I am making this disclaimer first and foremost before I continue writing. Here goes: bear with me with this post because the content and the emotions may be all over the place. Tonight was the famed HR Derby and all the buzz and excitement was in the air as past Derby winners and newcomers sought the coveted trophy. New Yorkers were more than elated as our very own 2nd baseman, Robinson Cano, looked to repeat as champion. That seemed like all the hype needed to ensure a great outing from all but, nothing in baseball is complete without a little controversy. Let's back peddle for a few.

A few months ago, Robinson was names the AL Captain and his duties entailed recruiting fellow players to hit for the league. Considering that the All-Star Game and all it's festivities were being held in Kansas City, it's only fitting that a Royal would represent and have a chance to show out for their city. Things didn't turn out that way. Due to miscommunication and "no phone calls received", Billy Butler wasn't added to the list. As you can guess, this rubbed KC the wrong way. Things were about to get real. Let's fast forward to tonight.

As fans anticipated the first swing, we also knew what was coming....SHADE! KC fans didn't disappoint in that area as a barrage of boos hailed down on Cano. This may have shaken our boy bit because he posted up 0 homers. Oh yea, ZERO! I wasn't mad. I wasn't angry. I laughed because vitriol was being placed on a man who struck out on the chance to hit a homer for charity. Fans clearly missed that memo. Robinson took all in stride and didn't let it affect them dynamic of the game. I'm glad it didn't because LA Angel Mark Trumbo put on a show as well as Jose "we love to love/hate him" Bautista, and Prince Fielder.

The final round came down to Fielder and Bautista who showed up and showed out and it Prince who came out with the crown.

Congratulations to the 2x Derby winner Prince. To answer my own question, I can say that the Derby was interesting to say the least. Can't wait to do this again tomorrow with the ASG. You stay classy KC fans :)

XOXO,
Whitney

Thanks For Watching The Robinson Cano Show!

Tonight was the HR Derby and all the stars were out to swing for the fences. Both the American and National Leagues were stacked with a bevy of talent just waiting to make their mark on the game and we fans got into the zone and put our game faces on. Let's recap some of tonight's amazing highlights.

With hitters, turned this year's team captains, such as David "Big Papi" Ortiz and Prince Fielder, we were more than certain that they would be launching balls left and right out of the park. While their swings were monstrous, two stars who really came to be seen were New York Yankee superstar second baseman Robinson Cano and Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. There's no way these two could possibly get the crowd exceedingly hyped right? Wrong!

In the first round, Adrian hit an impressive 9 home runs while Cano hit 8 with one of the homers reaching 472 feet. That's more than amazing not to mention his father Jose Cano was his pitcher. It was from then on we started to believe that the night could in fact be worthwhile. After watching other hitters such as Matt Holiday, Rickie Weeks, and Matt Kemp attempt at breaking the gates open, we zeroed our attention in towards the big four: Gonzalez, Cano, Ortiz, and Fielder. Things soon began to heat up.

Both Ortiz and Fielder had to play a bit of catch up so we narrowed in on Gonzalez and Cano. Boy oh boy did Robinson Jose Cano put on a show. We all remember how he had to withdraw from the Derby last year because of a back injury. This year, there was no stopping him. In the second round,with Curtis Granderson, Russell Martin, and David Robertson cheering him on, Cano hit 12 more beautiful shots to bring his total to 20 home runs. The crowd went wild just as us fans at home were going bananas! Gonzalez belted out 20 as well. Time for the final round.

In the last round, Gonzalez continued the show by launching 11 homers without seeming as if he was out of gas. Cano had his work cut out for him but he wasn't worried about that because he beasted, yes beasted, the last round to take the ENTIRE derby with 12 homers in the round.

Oye! Cano! Congratulations on winning the derby. You deserved it kid! The night belonged to you because you lit the place up. Thank you for showing up and showing out. Also, congrats Gonzo because you were a delight as well.

XOXO,
Whitney