The All-Star Break has begun and the Red Sox sit atop the AL East by a game over our pals from New York. It's been quite the tumultuous season so far for the Sox, starting off dismally, battling back to .500, and then fighting for first place in the division. Now they can rest.
Well, not those on the team who are taking part in the All-Star festivities this week. Most notably, Big Papi and Gonzo are both competing in the Home Run Derby tonight and The All-Star Game tomorrow. The MLB is trying to mix things up a bit this year by naming an AL Team Captain and an NL Team Captain for the Derby. Ortiz was selected as the AL Captain and Prince Fielder was selected to represent the NL.
The captains are given the right to choose whomever they wish to fill the other three spots on their squad. Ortiz selected fellow BeanTown hero Adrian Gonzalez, Toronto's Jose Bautista, and New York's Robinson Cano. Fielder will be representing the National League alongside Matt Holliday, Matt Kemp, and Rickie Weeks.
I think this year's Derby has the potential to be more entertaining than those from years past. The Derby seemed to become a stale event in recent history. Ever since the glory days of Mark Mcgwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds, when home runs were on everyone's mind, the Derby has become less exciting.
But at least for Boston fans, this year's contest will be a fun one to watch with half of the AL Team being represented by Red Sox players. So look forward to a lot of Big Papi grins and "Gonzo" chants tonight!
P.S. I hope you were able to watch the U.S. Women's Soccer Team play Brazil yesterday. Hands down the most dramatic soccer game I've ever witnessed. Tops the '99 Women's Final, which is not easy to do. Catch the Semi Finals on Wednesday!
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