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 – President Obama started the MLB All Star evening out with the first pitch and the American League  finished it off with another victory over their rival National League All Stars.The 4-3 victory is the 13th in a row for the AL, a record streak that again earned them home field advantage in the World Series.

In the 7th inning Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford perfectly timed a line drive off the bat of Colorado Rockies’ Brad Hawpe, tracking the ball down to the fence, leaping and robbing him of a home run. The highlight of the game earned Crawford the Ted Williams All Star MVP award. Crawford also went 1-for-3 at the plate.

“It’s got to be the top play of my career,” said Crawford. “I don’t think I’ve ever robbed a home run before, so I picked a good time to do it tonight. It’s definitely the best catch I’ve ever made.”

After AL starting pitcher Roy Halladay gave up 4 hits and three runs over the first two innings, the next seven AL hurlers that took the mound held the NL scoreless, allowing just one more hit over the final seven innings.

The game was played in front of 46,760 fans at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Other All Star Notes: Milwaukee Brewers Prince Fielder won the 2009 State Farm home run derby over All Star break. Fielder, who along with his father Cecil Fielder is a member of the Sports Climax “Fat Bastards” gallery, showed how to throw his weight around, knocking 23 over the fence.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax