Did Ian Kinsler lose out on the all-star game because of the home run derby? Conspiracy theorists unite!Here’s another possible explanation. As recently as four days ago, the American League had only one confirmed participant for Monday’s Home Run Derby, the unlikely Joe Mauer. Defending champion Justin Morneau begged off. So did Hamilton, the unquestioned star of last year’s event. And since no one but Mauer had signed up by Friday, it’s a reasonable assumption that every other AL All-Star said “no thanks” as well.Interesting. We have heard about the negative effects of the home run derby from one source or another and whether you believe the claims or not, you can't fault the players for taking notice of the negative trends.Here's the question at hand: did the negative trends prevent players from taking part in the derby. Probably. And for the American League, it would have been a huge embarassment if they could not find 4 reasonable entrants to the home run derby....which...
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