ANAHEIM – There’s a new line-up for the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby and familiar names like sluggers Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Josh Hamilton, who have a combined 80 home runs this season, won’t be in it. But don’t fret, there are plenty of other guys on the roster who can rip the cover off the ball and knock them over the fence.

The show begins Monday night at 8pm on ESPN and first time participants in the contest include Milwaukee Brewers Corey Hart, Arizona Diamondbacks Chris Young, N.Y. Yankees Nick Swisher, Florida Marlins Hanley Ramirez and the Blue Jays Vernon Wells. Rounding out the roster are Matt Holliday, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz and Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Cabrera who returns to the event for the second time and enters the competition second in MLB with 22 round trippers, is many people’s favorite to win, including his teammate, rookie sensation Brennan Boesch who let his pick be known to his local newspaper The Detroit Free Press.

“If Scott Pickens, the batting practice guy, throws strikes, he’ll win. Miggy’s got the most power in baseball, I think. So if he throws strikes, Miguel is going to put on a show, and it will be fun to watch.”

“In the Home Run Derby, you have to be aggressive, because it’s a lot of pressure,” Cabrera said. “It’s different, because you don’t have the batting cage. You have more people see you. But if you get relaxed and put your best swing on the ball, it’s going to be OK.”

Swisher is also feeling some nerves well before the event.

 “It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m nervous already, but I’m going to go out and have an absolute blast. I’m going to soak up that moment.”

Not in the competition is the MLB leading home run hitter, Blue Jays Jose Bautista who has hit 24 over the fence. Not seeing him in this line-up reminds us that the obvious choices do not always make it to the annual All-Star games.

Adding to the fun of the event, two banners were hung in the outfields and if any player hits those during the competition, Master Card will donate $1 million to charity.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

ST. LOUIS – All the hype and speculation surrounding Matt Holliday’s destination since hitting the MLB free agent market can come to a close.

The 29-year-old slugger signed a 7 year, $120 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, the same team he played for at the end of last season.

“Well, I think first of all going into free agency I had in the back of my mind that I really liked my time in St. Louis and felt it was a good fit for me and my family,” Holliday said when interviewed on a Tuesday ESPN radio show. “At the end of the day we decided that was best for us.”

Holliday, a three-time All Star, joined the Cardinals from Oakland last July and batted .353, sent 13 over the wall and batted in 55 runs in 63 games for St. Louis.

Holliday pulled a bonehead Charlie Brown move during last year’s playoffs when he dropped a routine liner to left field that would have been the final out of Game 2. Instead, his error kept a Dodger rally alive and allowed the Dodgers to coast to a three-game sweep.

Holliday believes his chances of getting to the World Series with the Cardinals is as great as going anywhere else. “Obviously, with Albert Pujols on the team you have a great opportunity to have a great team,” said Holliday. “Albert is the best player in the history of baseball in my mind. Hopefully between the two of us we can help do our part to win a World Series.”

Holliday also reflected on the size of his new contract. “When you’re a little kid growing up hoping to be a professional baseball player and hoping to play in the major leagues, I don’t think you ever think about the money,” Holliday said. “Now that you look at it, it’s a little overwhelming.”

With Pujols also playing with an active contract over $100 million, the Cardinals become only the third team in Major League Baseball to invest in two $100 million players.

The New York Mets’ Johan Santana and Carlos Beltran are $100 million guys and the New York Yankees have four; Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia.

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