New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge will not participate in this year's Home Run Derby during the All-Star Game in Colorado, and now we know why.
Judge told reporters on Friday that he has no interest in competing in the Home Run Derby until the All-Star Game returns to New York, according to Newsday's Laura Albanese:
Aaron Judge on the home run derby: "I haven’t even thought of it to be honest. I’ve got no interest right now unless the All-Star Game is back in New York soon."
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) June 18, 2021
Judge has not participated in the Home Run Derby since 2017, winning the event with 47 homers over three rounds at Marlins Park.
New York hasn't hosted the Home Run Derby since 2013 when it was at Citi Field, home of the Mets. Yankee Stadium hasn't hosted it since 2008.
Los Angeles Angels dual-threat Shohei Ohtani became the first player to commit to the 2021 Home Run Derby in Colorado. Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Houston Astros star Yordan Alvarez are showing interest in competing.
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