Can Albert Pujols win the 2009 MLB Home Run Derby?
He has to, since he will be kicking off the Midsummer Classic in front of his hometown fans in St. Louis.
THAT is the kind of pressure top vote-getter Albert Pujols is in coming to the 2009 MLB All-Star festivities in St. Louis. Imagine this, he was just voted in by baseball fans the most, getting majority of the votes to play in the All-Star game. But before he can get to play the actual game, he has the 2009 MLB Home Run Derby to worry about first. And did I mention he has the entire town of St. Louis watching his every move?
There is no doubt that Albert Pujols will go for broke once the Midsummer Classic gets to St. Louis. The top vote-getter for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game will compete in his third Home Run Derby and while the last two were already great, this one should be more special since this will be the first time 
Pujols will perform in front of the Cardinals fans in Missouri.
There’s this one problem though.
In the 23 previous Home Run Derby contests, only one hometown favorite has hoisted a trophy at the end of the night. That was Ryne Sandberg back in 1990. But if there’s one guy who can win the Derby for his hometown, it’s Albert Pujols.
Other guys who’ll be competing against Pujols include Prince Fielder. Fielder is the first second generation player to be a Home Run Derby contestant. His father, Cecil Fielder competed back in the early 90s. He never won, which gives estranged son Prince some motivation to show up his dad.
Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres is also in. The guy is quietly having an awesome season for the floundering Padres, looking like a young Sammy Sosa for at least the first half of the season. Don’t let those 24 home runs fool you though, Gonzalez plays in the spacious Petco Park, where he’s only cranked out 8 Home Runs at clip of 18.1 AB/HR. On the road, he’s a Pujolsesque 8.5 AB/HR with 16 Homers.
Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies is also one competitor who could give Pujols a run for his money. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is getting some flack for putting Howard on the All-Star roster, but we’re glad he did. Because Howard can now partake in the Derby.
Howard is the most accomplished NL player in the Derby, having won the Derby in 2006.
But don’t tell Pujols that.
Which team will win the 2009 MLB World Series? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.
Tampa Bay Rays 10-1
Boston Red Sox 8-1
New York Yankees 5-2
Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more baseball betting odds. Want to watch baseball live? Get MLB tickets online now.
MLB All-Star Game Albert Pujols
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