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

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Barry Bonds is back in the news after making some interesting comments to a group of reporters recently. Bonds told reporters he was “proud” of Mark McGwire’s steroid admission.

Question via Colleen Dominguez of ESPN: What was your reaction to Mark McGwire’s steroid admission?

Bonds: I have a really good friendship with Mark McGwire. I’m proud of him. I have a great relationship through our entire life and career and I’m proud of what he did and I’m happy for him.

Question: Been swinging a bat, (Barry)?

Bonds: Actually, I went down to Florida to work out with Ryan Howard during the wintertime and coached him a little bit and he’s doing very, very well and hasn’t said one thing about me yet. (Laughs.) But I love him and I’m glad he’s doing well.

Still, Barry hasn’t given much thought to following in McGwire’s footsteps and becoming a Major League hitting instructor. Though he enjoys sharing tips with his fellow hitters — something he was notorious for not doing during his playing career.

Bonds: I was given a gift with the things that I know and can do in this game and sooner or later I will be able to pass that along and whoever wants it, I’ll just talk to them about it. I can see things that they don’t understand how I can see it. I have a very good talent in the game of baseball, especially for hitting. If you want it, I’ll be happy to share with you. I didn’t think it would be something I would do, but I really enjoy helping out others. God gave me a gift and it’s nice to let someone else see what God has given to me.

MLB’s all-time homerun king also reiterated that he hasn’t retired, but wouldn’t comment in much detail about it — in part because the Player’s Association is forming a collusion case against MLB. When he was asked directly about the suit mum was the word.

Question: The Players’ Association is preparing a collusion case against MLB. To what extent do you plan to be a part of that case?

Bonds: You know what, I’m sorry brother, this is the first time I heard about this. First time. I’m sorry, brother. I’d help you out but I can’t.

While Bonds avoided the perpetual black cloud that follows him daily — steroids — a different former Giants outfielder got something off his chest.

Speaking to San Francisco Chronicle beat writer, Henry Schulman, Benard admitted that he used performance-enhancing drugs while playing for the Giants.

“To be honest with you, it was an embarrassing moment that you can’t take back,” Benard told Schulman. “When you’re playing you do some dumb things, thinking, ‘This is going to help me.’ You realize later on they were stupid.”

Benard played parts of nine seasons in San Francisco, and never was healthy enough to earn a job after he left the team following the ’03 season. He’s now 40 and living in Washington with his son and second wife.

Also in attendance for the 2000 reunion aside from Bonds and Benard were Rich Aurilia, Ellis Burks, Felipe Crespo, Shawn Estes, Mark Gardner, Jeff Kent, Robb Nen, Armando Rios, Kirk Rueter, and J.T. Snow.

Re-printed with permission of the author.

Theo is a staff reporter and feature writer for the Marin Independent Journal where he covers local prep and college sports. As an Associate Production Manager for ESPN, he helped produce Sunday Night Baseball among other national ESPN and ABC Sports telecasts. Besides his contributions to Examiner.com, the I.J. and Sports Climax, Theo is the play-by-play voice for Sonoma State University baseball and softball.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™