Count me in for this one. Part fun, part nostalgia, and part awesome.
A "Legends" Home Run Derby could be coming to All-Star Week, according to Jayson Stark of 'The Athletic.'
According to Stark, Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols, Jim Thome and David Ortiz are already interested in the event and Stark has good ideas about how to make it work.
In his article he outlines that the game could take place after the Futures Game, with the Futures Game players set up on the sides like happens at the regular Derby. He also says they could find a format that is conducive to the retired players staying healthy and in shape. Perhaps they could go to the old "Out" format or an "innings" format like happened much longer ago.
Stark has this nugget from Thome within his story:
“I just think about Griffey’s swing,” Thome told The Athletic. “How pure. How special. I start with that. You know, I don’t know how many home runs any of us would hit. But I mean, to watch another Ken Griffey homer? How cool would that be for someone in Seattle or in Cincinnati? Or with Albert Pujols in St. Louis. That’s what would make it kind of cool.”
For my money, I'll throw in this idea: Having a legend compete from the city that's hosting the All-Star Game. If this had happened this year, Griffey would have been a no-brainer to compete in Seattle. Next year's All-Star Game is in Texas, so how about Juan Gonzalez, Pudge Rodriguez or even A-Rod?
Sign me up.
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