July 5, 200719 yr SAN DIEGO -- The most feared slugger on the Marlins will get his chance to showcase his power to a worldwide audience. Miguel Cabrera has been added as one of the participants in the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The 24-year-old Venezuelan native has connected for 17 home runs this season, and he is on pace for his third 30-home run season. Cabrera has made it clear that he enjoys the Home Run Derby, and he is thankful to get a chance to compete for the second time. On Sunday, Cabrera was selected to his fourth straight All-Star Game. The lone Marlins representative headed to San Francisco, Cabrera competed in the Home Run Derby at Pittsburgh in 2006. He finished third in the competition, which was won by Philadelphia's Ryan Howard. Still, Cabrera had a strong showing, belting 15 home runs. "When I went to my first two All-Star Games, they [didn't ask me] to do it," Cabrera said. Unlike a number of sluggers who feel that swinging for the fences messes up their swings, Cabrera isn't worried about that happening to him. "I am taking the same approach," Cabrera said. "See the ball and hit home runs." Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez will pitch to Cabrera at the Derby. Gonzalez recently was added to the National League coaching staff by All-Star manager Tony La Russa of the Cardinals. "Miguel is disciplined and he is darn good," said Gonzalez, who is not concerned about anything negative happening to Cabrera's swing. The Home Run Derby will take place on Monday, the day before the annual Midsummer Classic in San Francisco. Cabrera is a unique hitter who can hit better than .330 and deliver more than 30 home runs annually. The belief is that if he concentrated on his power numbers, he could belt 40 to 50, but he won't sacrifice his batting average to do so. "Miguel is a hitter," Gonzalez said. "He has power. He's not one of those swing-and-miss guys." Cabrera is the first Marlin to be selected to the All-Star Game four times. In all four years, he was voted in by the players. While New York Mets third baseman David Wright was voted in as the National League starter by the fans, Cabrera was the players' pick among NL third basemen. Promoted to the big leagues in June 2003, Cabrera has 121 career home runs, which is fourth most in Marlins history. In his career, he has five home runs in 79 at-bats at AT&T Park. Cabrera's next home run will tie him with Gary Sheffield for third place in club history with 122. link
July 5, 200719 yr Author Going to be embarassed by Bonds. eh bonds is mighty old tho so you never know.
July 5, 200719 yr Going to be embarassed by Bonds. I thought Bonds wasn't going to enter it. Oh sh*t. You're right.
July 5, 200719 yr Author I still think it's bulls*** that ryan howard isn't even on the allstar team and he's allowed to be in the HR derby
July 5, 200719 yr Did Cabs lose any of his power after last year's ASG like a certain other 3B in the NL East? I can't seem to remember. :mischief
July 5, 200719 yr Author heyyy dont bad mouth the almighty david wright. u know he's sensitive when it comes to these things. :dancing lol
July 5, 200719 yr I still think it's bulls*** that ryan howard isn't even on the allstar team and he's allowed to be in the HR derby Why? He earned it last year. Its the tradition. Anyone remember that silly "world" homerun derby idea a few years ago when Hee Who Soup was one of the sluggers? :lol
July 5, 200719 yr Did Cabs lose any of his power after last year's ASG like a certain other 3B in the NL East? I can't seem to remember. :mischief What did he hit in the second half of last year, anyways, compared to the first half?
July 5, 200719 yr Author dont know about tradition, but i still think its silly if he's not an allstar he shouldnt be part of the allstar activities.....lol
July 5, 200719 yr Did Cabs lose any of his power after last year's ASG like a certain other 3B in the NL East? I can't seem to remember. :mischief What did he hit in the second half of last year, anyways, compared to the first half?
July 5, 200719 yr Did Cabs lose any of his power after last year's ASG like a certain other 3B in the NL East? I can't seem to remember. :mischief What did he hit in the second half of last year, anyways, compared to the first half?
July 6, 200719 yr dont know about tradition, but i still think its silly if he's not an allstar he shouldnt be part of the allstar activities.....lol I would rather they have some sort of hitting competition and then a real All Star game. One where the actual best all around players at their position are in it.
July 7, 200719 yr If he dosen't make at least the finals who is going to be the first one to blame his pitcher? Because it just couldn't be Miggy's fault. And I'm thinking it may even be Fredi as his pitcher. A bonus to the Fredi bashers.
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