CHICAGO, 16 July 2003 — There was a power outage during the fan favorite home run derby on Monday.
Among the worst versions of American baseball All-Star game’s home run derby took place on Monday as Seattle’s Bret Boone not only failed to clear the fences but actually swung and missed at a pitch from the batting practice pitcher.
With Milwaukee slugger Richie Sexson delivering just one homer and Toronto’s Carlos Delgado hitting only two, there was a definite outcry to see established veterans like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr and Sammy Sosa.
But Bonds decided to skip the event.
“It’s a little disappointing,” Dodgers closer Eric Gagne said. “He is swinging the bat really well right now and doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. He has earned the right to say he doesn’t want to do that.”
Home run derby did have one special moment as St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols eliminated defending champion Jason Giambi with a record-setting second round.
Pujols tied Giambi’s 2001 mark of 14 homers in a round. Garret Anderson provided the biggest blast, edging Pujols 9-8 in the final. The win capped a big day for Anaheim’s Anderson, who will have to clear space in his trophy room after being named American League Player of the Week earlier in the day.
