Home Run Derby Changes Format, Brings Int’l Flavor

The Century 21 Home Run Derby on July 11 will feature eight players from eight nations representing their native homelands. The final list of players will be announced this week (MLB). In Atlanta, Dave O’Brien noted there “were complaints the old [NL] vs. [AL] format for the Derby had become stale,” and MLB hopes the new format will “spark interest in the World Baseball Classic” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/4). MLB.com reports that Braves CF Andruw Jones (Curacao and the Netherlands), Red Sox DH David Ortiz (Dominican Republic), Pirates LF Jason Bay (Canada), Phillies RF Bobby Abreu (Venezuela) and Tigers C Ivan Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) have accepted invitations to participate (MLB.com, 7/6). Brewers LF Carlos Lee (Panama) said he has been invited (USA TODAY, 7/6).