I figured everyone should know a little something about Minute Miad Park before they bet on their slugger of choice for tonight's "All-Star" Hr Derby.
Minute Maid Park Dimensions:
Left Field - 315 ft
Left Center - 362 ft
Center Field - 436 ft
Right Center - 373 ft
Right Field - 326 ft ---- (7 Foot wall)
From a player's point of view, Minute Maid Park is clearly a slugger's paradise, favoring both left and right-handed pull hitters. Home runs to right field are faciliated by the relatively short (7-foot) wall on that side, and Home runs to right have to go HIGH in the iar.....but only 315 feet.
Although EVERYONE knows that there is a short porch in left filed don't count out the Lefty Sluggers in this one. With only a 7 foot wall in Right Field there is more than enough oppertunity for the lefties to surge tonight.
As for who i like......
Well it seems that almost every year Barry doesn't want to participate......I haven't hear too much about it this year. IMO...it seems as if Barry go HALF ASS in this event as a small slap in the face to the MLB office each year. I remember last year they had to almost force the guy to participate. This year there are rumors (Which Barry Denied ...Of Course) that he may have been paid to take hacks at this years Hr Derby. Last year we saw G Anderson CASH a big ticket.....as one of the Bigger Underdogs in last year's Hr Derby. Bonds and Sosa are the fav's to win this year.
I like Thome myself, with David Ortiz as my 2nd pick. I may play a few matchups as well. I am a SF giants fan.....Bonds always has the ability to win this event. The question is will he try? I love the guy as a player....personally IMO, he's a DICK. I can't put $$ on Barry knowing that he usually only gives about 50% in the Derby. Thome might have soemthing to prove as he finished 2nd to Ken Griffey in 1998.
Careful on the MATCHUPS. Make sure you know what the rules are before you make your bet. I saw at intertops......on the matchups..........it's the player to hit the most HR's IN THE FIRST ROUND.
It should be fun watching those kids go after the balls tonight. In the past they have had children out on the field shagging the balls. I remember that a few of the older kids with some height on them had many chances and came really close to robbing a few Hr's last year. I hope that doesn't effect anyone this year....esp with the short fence in RIGHT. One thing I cannot wait for is when one of those brats goes for a ball hit to DEAD CENTER.....watch them EAT TURF trying to concentrate on the ball while trying to climb that small mound in Deep Center. That should be a good sight.
Good Luck to everyone!
Minute Maid Park Dimensions:
Left Field - 315 ft
Left Center - 362 ft
Center Field - 436 ft
Right Center - 373 ft
Right Field - 326 ft ---- (7 Foot wall)
From a player's point of view, Minute Maid Park is clearly a slugger's paradise, favoring both left and right-handed pull hitters. Home runs to right field are faciliated by the relatively short (7-foot) wall on that side, and Home runs to right have to go HIGH in the iar.....but only 315 feet.
Although EVERYONE knows that there is a short porch in left filed don't count out the Lefty Sluggers in this one. With only a 7 foot wall in Right Field there is more than enough oppertunity for the lefties to surge tonight.
As for who i like......
Well it seems that almost every year Barry doesn't want to participate......I haven't hear too much about it this year. IMO...it seems as if Barry go HALF ASS in this event as a small slap in the face to the MLB office each year. I remember last year they had to almost force the guy to participate. This year there are rumors (Which Barry Denied ...Of Course) that he may have been paid to take hacks at this years Hr Derby. Last year we saw G Anderson CASH a big ticket.....as one of the Bigger Underdogs in last year's Hr Derby. Bonds and Sosa are the fav's to win this year.
I like Thome myself, with David Ortiz as my 2nd pick. I may play a few matchups as well. I am a SF giants fan.....Bonds always has the ability to win this event. The question is will he try? I love the guy as a player....personally IMO, he's a DICK. I can't put $$ on Barry knowing that he usually only gives about 50% in the Derby. Thome might have soemthing to prove as he finished 2nd to Ken Griffey in 1998.
Careful on the MATCHUPS. Make sure you know what the rules are before you make your bet. I saw at intertops......on the matchups..........it's the player to hit the most HR's IN THE FIRST ROUND.
It should be fun watching those kids go after the balls tonight. In the past they have had children out on the field shagging the balls. I remember that a few of the older kids with some height on them had many chances and came really close to robbing a few Hr's last year. I hope that doesn't effect anyone this year....esp with the short fence in RIGHT. One thing I cannot wait for is when one of those brats goes for a ball hit to DEAD CENTER.....watch them EAT TURF trying to concentrate on the ball while trying to climb that small mound in Deep Center. That should be a good sight.
Good Luck to everyone!
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