Rays 1B Logan Morrison yesterday “criticized MLB's decision" to include Yankees C Gary Sanchez in the All-Star Home Run Derby next week, according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Morrison's 24 homers are the "second most in the majors,” while Sanchez has 13. Though Morrison “didn’t make the AL All-Star Squad, he is on the five-man ballot for the final spot.” Morrison: “I'm not disappointed. It's par for the course. I play for the Rays. I get it. They can't even get my picture right. When they put my name up there they put Corey (Dickerson's) picture up there ... on MLB Network. When they put up the home run leaders they put Corey's swing on there not mine.” Topkin noted the decision process for the Derby “includes factors beyond current home run totals such as popularity, All-Star status, being a member of the host team and performance in previous seasons” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/5). ESPN’s Buster Olney said Morrison's suggestion that Sanchez is not worthy for the Derby is "absolutely silly." Olney: "Is popularity a part of it? Yes. Is market a part of it? Absolutely. But the suggestion that it should come down to 2017 home run totals is kind of silly. If that were the case, you know who wouldn't be in the Home Run Derby? Giancarlo Stanton.” Stanton is the defending Home Run Derby champ and is the longest-tenured Marlins player; the event is taking place at Marlins Park (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/5).
PLAYING WALL BALL: In Ft. Lauderdale, Tim Healy noted the retractable wall in left field at Marlins Park “will be open, and the roof will be closed” during the Home Run Derby. Marlins Park Exec VP/Operations & Events Claude Delorme said, “Right now our plan is to have the wall open for Monday night, weather permitting, and to close it for the rest. Close the roof for all three days, open the wall on Monday, and close the wall on Sunday and Tuesday.” Healy noted having the wall open is “said to make it harder to homer -- especially this time of year -- and also comes with the risk of people falling over, trying to catch dingers.” The plus side of having it open is the baseballs “have more room to fly, which is fun” (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/3).
GETTING IT RIGHT: In Phoenix, Dan Bickley wrote MLB “doesn’t need any additional incentives for their midseason spectacle.” While the NFL, NBA and NHL have All-Star Games that are “grotesque and unwatchable, MLB’s version will always draw an audience.” That is because the game is “still baseball, with actual competition between pitcher and batter.” The other sports “should shelve their games entirely, opting for a bulked-up awards show once the season is over” (AZCENTRAL.com, 7/3).
