Yep, apparently, Yankees won’t be present for Monday’s Home Run Derby.

The 2008 MLB All-Star Break continues on Monday for the Home Run Derby. And while the entire baseball community continues to pay homage to Yankee Stadium, this year’s host of the All-Star festivities, before it undergoes somewhat of a rebirth, no Yankee will be able to take part in what would be the last time somebody blasts a ball out of the ballpark in an All-Star weekend.

You read it; no Alex Rodriguez, no Jason Giambi. Did I already mention A-Rod won’t be in it? A season after hitting the record books for his distinct ability to blast the ball out of the ballpark, he said no for this one.

The last time Madonna’s new boy toy participated in a Home Run Derby was back in 2002. Why hasn’t he participated since was because of the fear that he might damage his own swing for a useless waste of energy like a Derby.

So how did he damage his swing when he participated in the Derby in 2002? It was so broken that he came up with four home runs in the first four games after the All-Star break. Go figure.

That’s also the year when he went on to score 30 more home runs. Yep, that’s more than any player in the whole sport. If that’s what he calls as ‘’a messed up swing,'’ I wonder what he thinks of Jeter’s?

But wait, there’s also this curse about Home Run Derby winners losing their edge after the All-Star break.

But after three Home Run Derby champions like Andre Dawson in 1987, Cal Ripken in 1991 and Ryan Howard in 2006, used their Home Run Derby championship title to get them the MVP trophy, the so-called ‘’Home Run Derby curse'’ should now be buried now right?

One official of the New York Yankees had a theory why Alex Rodriguez said no on participating in the Home Run Derby in New York City.

‘’He’s afraid he’s gonna get Madonna-fied.'’

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

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2008 MLB All-Star Break Home Run Derby