And now, the moment only the masochistic among you have been waiting for, the Home Run Derby:
The 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby field was finalized on Sunday, when American League home run leader Carlos Pena was named to replace the Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia on the AL roster for Tuesday's All-Star Game and as the fourth AL entrant in the Derby . . . Pena joins Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz and Twins catcher Joe Mauer from the Junior Circuit, and the National League features big league homer leader, hometown hero and All-Star centerpiece Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, plus Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres, Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard of the Phillies.
I just can't stand the derby. It's tedious. It's repetitive. It gets worse as it goes on because guys get tired. It's just really not my cup of tea. But worst of all, it features Chris Berman calling each and every shot, and that's ninth circle of hell stuff. This year even more so, because I recently discovered that, in addition to being annoying, his "back, back, back" business is both (a) stolen; and (b) wrong. I read this last week while doing some research on fabled Dodgers and Yankees broadcaster Red Barber:
A number of play-by-play announcers, including Chris Berman, picked up on his use of "back, back, back" to describe a long fly ball with potential to be a home run. Oddly, those other announcers are describing the flight of the ball, whereas Barber was describing the outfielder, in this famous call from Game 6 of the 1947 World Series with Joe DiMaggio at bat: "Here's the pitch, swung on, belted... it's a long one... back goes Gionfriddo, back, back, back, back, back, back... heeee makes a one-handed catch against the bullpen! Oh, Doctor!"
Which makes sense when you think about it because the ball, as far as it's concerned anyway, is going forward. It's the outfielder who is going back.
Either way, fine Berman, steal from Red Barber if you must. But at least steal correctly. There are no outfielders making plays on the ball at the Home Run Derby, so there shouldn't be any "back, back, backs." If you agree to drop that tired, stolen and inaccurate shtick, I'll agree to watch your little exhibition. Deal?
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Hate Berman. what a douche
Agreed. Berman is as tired as a six year old on monday morning who has to get up and get ready for school
He blows, and he has maybe the worst comb-over on TV
Fist bump. It was him plus Morgan last year for the Hamilton show and it was brutal.
Karl Ravech probably just wanted to go home.
Kids like it.
Berman's whole schtick has grown very old. He was good in the 80s and 90s, but he needs to move on to a different role.
I like it but it does have all of the faults described. It's best to watch the opening rounds and then change the channel. They get tired [see Josh Hamilton]. There should be some reward for early round performance. Chris Berman is annoying, but it's like disliking the sun -- it's something you can't really avoid no matter what sport.
And, yes, I think it's a bit questionable that our own Pena made it instead of Kinsler or others.
The derby is okay, I do like the early rounds better.
There is a very simple way to do things if watching something on TV that you don't like. Change the channel, but then you wouldn't have something to whine about in your next column, so I can understand that that won't happen.
Everything about baseball is great; the games, the players, the HOME RUN DERBY!! It rocks, everyone likes to see home runs. Leave Berman alone, he's not annoying like John Madden was. Go Baseball!!!!
The derby is fun to watch....I look forward to it every year!
The biggest reason I like the HR Derby is watching the kids on the field have so much fun. I don't listen to any announcer; I can see the contestant's name on his shirt.
Leave it alone, except that I would allow more kids on the field.
That was #1 in my three or four fixes for the Derby on my blog this morning...anyone who can speak coherently on television can do this job, EXCEPT Berman, because he can't resist peppering in his terrible puns. It's the one night a year where I wouldn't even mind hearing Steve Phillips...just anybody but Berman, please.
The other fixes: end the thing after the first round, which is the only time anything interesting happens, so it's an actual HR contest rather than an endurance contest. And invite more guys like Mauer or Ichiro -- this contest needs its Spud Webbs and Nate Robinsons.
Or a guy like Justin Upton of Arizona, who has hit some LONG dingers this season including a couple that exceeded 450 feet (Miller Park and in Miami). The NL contestants are guys you'd expect in the competition. I remember when Luis Gonzalez won in 2001. He was the most unexpected winner that year. It's what made the contest cool. Now it's just a showcase for the sponsors and the network.
Totally agree that Berman is annoying, especially those made-up stupid nicknames! As for the Home Run Derby, it looks like the National League has a lineup of true home run hitters, unlike the Americans. In addition, it's a competition where unfortunately, the guy with the most home runs doesn't always win. This, of course, is set up for that to happen in order to "create" longer lasting competition. So if a guy hits 25 HRs in the first round, then naturally tires and loses round two, the crowd loves the performance, but he loses to a guy who hit fewer HRs. Too bad.
Watch some of Berman's finer moments on YouTube. I especially like the one where he berates a member of the production staff for ducking under the camera while he was reading from the prompter. Talk about a douche who has lost touch with reality.
Hey, Tonyj ----- You mean that Berman has actually had some finer moments ????
I consider these finer moments, yes.
The Derby is loads of, and the kids love it!!!! Don't be such a weenie. ;>)~
Ummm, Loads of fun, I meant Loads of fun.............
The worst thing about the Home Run Derby: Russell Branyan isn't in it.
True.
He would be impetus for a hangtime counter, which would actually really improve the contest. That dude hits nothing but moonshots.
I regard Berman as the equivilent of the potted old uncle who everyone clamors to have sing "On the Road to Mandalay" at family gatherings, even though his singing is lousy, the song is obscure, and nobody can remember when he actually could do it well, if he ever could. Berman harkins back to ESPN's origins, and horrible as he is (and was), it's nice that ESPN has some loyalty and throws him this bone. It's not as if the stupid derby is ruined by his chatter...what's to ruin? But "back-back-back" really should be killed---it makes sense on radio, none on TV. I'd rather him sing "On the Road to Mandalay."
Great call, Jack. I've been referring friends to this comment all day; YOU hit a home run with this one!
I get it. You went to the World Series. Now stop putting your first basemen as the 4th 1b on the team and give it to someone deserving who missed out on the final vote---Kinsler, Sandoval, Kemp, etc.
Damn Maddon and Manuel.
Isn't that what I just said? The only reason Pena deserves it is that he leads the AL in HR's. On the other hand I think he's at or close to the lead in KO's. I'd probably pick Kinsler. Although it's usually a good thing, sometimes Maddon is too loyal to his favorites. He held on to Sonnanstine until his ERA reached 7+ before he pulled the plug. I did read where Pena sent Pedroia a well wishing message [Pedroia's wife is having a difficult pregnancy] and Pedroia returned the sentiments.
...and the other 5358 are?
It's interesting to see that so many agree that Berman has become very annoying. ESPN is doing more than throwing him a bone, though. He still hosts the NFL pregame shows among other things. His whole routine is so irritating and outdated. It's the same stuff his did during the 80s. When he is doing a studio show, it looks and sounds like he is choking since his suit is so tight, his voice sounds like he is running out of air at the end of a sentence. Berman really needs to step back and assume a different behind the scenes role at ESPN.
ESPN commentators in general are bad. This is the same TV station that hired Joe Theisman and Tony Kornheiser to do football games, think Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips are the best baseball commentators ever, and actually believe Chris Berman is still a guys guy. Annoying doesnt even begin to describe him. Did anyone see his rant on some assistant for NFL Live during a commercial that leaked onto the internet. Proves he is a jerk who thinks he is the ultimate analyst and such.
Here's a suggestion to improve the Derby - a mercy rule. In the first round, if you hit, say, 20 homers, you're done and go on to the next round regardless of how many "outs" you have. That would potentially cut down on fatigue and keep guys who are "hot" in the zone for the 2nd round. Thoughts?
What a waste of print. If you hate it so bad just don't watch and don't write about it. Just go back back back back in time before you wrote this.
I think Craig's point is, he'd like to enjoy the Home Run Derby, but he can't because of Berman's inane babbling, and he's offering up a way to help address the problem. What's wrong with that?
Suggestion for improving the Derby - a mercy rule. If a player gets, say, 20 homers in the first round, the round ends and he passes to round 2 automatically. That way he doesn't keep going until fatigue sets in, and may be able to keep a hot home run stroke in tact for round 2. The number could be 20, 15, maybe even 12 or 10, whatever makes the most sense. Thoughts?