Kuzul

In the 2012 Home Run Derby, there was a big-time reaction for Home Run Derby captain Robinson Cano.  That reaction was filled with an array of boos from the Kansas City crowd.

Why the hostility for the second baseman? 

Well, he said he would pick a a member of the Kansas City Royals a couple of weeks prior to the event.  That guy would be All-Star Billy Butler.  The Royals DH was not chosen by Cano. 

This has happened before.  Last year, captain Prince Fielder received boos after failing to pick local hometown boy Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Now, commissioner Bud Selig said that the Baseball Writers Association of America will discuss a possible rule change to the anticipated event.  This rule will be for the captain to choose a player from where the Home Run Derby is being played.  In other words, a hometown boy.

Fans booing should not have such an impact on a decision like this.  Should Cano have not commented at all that he would choose a Royal?  Yes, but in the end, isn’t it his decision? 

Could the MLB have stepped in and held Cano to a higher standard to make sure he did pick Butler?  Yes, there is an argument for that as well. 

Players like Cano shouldn’t be booed like he was on Monday night, but he asked for it.  Does that mean the MLB should jump in and demand the captain to choose a local?  No, that isn’t very fair.

Fans buy the tickets, and they have the right to cheer and boo as they please.  Perhaps he would have gotten booed anyways for being a Yankee.  It comes with the territory, usually. 

So, with the festivities heading to Citi Field next year, would it be wrong for the Home Run Derby captain to not choose David Wright or a member of the New York Mets?  No, it should be their decision. 

These players are volunteering for the event.  They shouldn’t have to deal with many rules.  MLB guys are used to getting cheered and booed.  Quite frankly, they are athletes and fans show them positive and negative emotions.

While some don’t necessarily deserve the reaction they receive, that shouldn’t have any power on the future of the Home Run Derby.

Having a hometown player could be good for the sport and event, but is it coming along the wrong way?  This would be a decision of haste and reaction of Cano’s night. 

This story may not have been such a big deal if Cano hadn’t said anything in the first place.  Perhaps the clubhouses should tell their players to not make such promises if they can’t handle the negative reactions if they end up backing out of the deal. 

There will always be the risk of having a hometown player that won’t be considered worthy of the nod by many baseball experts and fans. 

The MLB shouldn’t make a decision like this based on one night. 

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Every time Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander hits the mound, there is a chance of him pitching a no-hitter.  That’s how good he is.  Verlander was looking for the third no-hitter of his career and the eighth in Tigers history on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He lost it in the ninth inning after a breaking ball that was hit by Pirates DH Josh Harrison. 

With being that close, you may just wonder when Verlander’s third no-hitter will come, and possibly a fourth.  When Verlander’s pitching with accuracy and the right placement, he’s very difficult to hit.  It was his first one-hitter as he struck out 12 and allowed two walks in the process. 

Legend Nolan Ryan had four no-hitters that ended in the ninth inning during his time.  It’s a tough time for pitchers.  The adrenaline is going, the feeling of being almost to the finish line and the fear of throwing the wrong pitch is all there. 

The 29-year-old Detroit ace will hope to join elusive company if he does achieve his third no-hitter.  Ryan had seven no-hitters, while Sandy Koufax had four. Bob Feller, Cy Young and Larry Corcoran had three. 

Last year’s American League MVP and Cy Young winner will achieve Hall-of-Fame status with his third no-hitter.  The other two came against Milwaukee in 2007 and Toronto in May of 2011.  It’s a matter of time before Verlander has one of those magical nights again. 

Verlander’s array of pitches is nearly impossible for hitters to solve on certain nights.  During the one-hitter against the Pirates, Verlander was throwing in the upper-90s and up to 100 mph in the eighth inning.  It was a remarkable performance to watch. 

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