The Arizona Diamondbacks will not have any representatives in the annual Home Run Derby on Monday night, but there will still be more than enough spectacle to go around for casual fans as the American League and National League teams attempt to launch bombs into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
Defending champion Robinson Cano will serve as the captain of the American League team and he has definitely assembled a team of fearsome mashers. Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels, Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers will try to hit plenty of dingers and take home the trophy. Fielder is also a former champion, winning the event in 2009.
On the National League side, Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers will bring with him the team of Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Beltran and Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who was a last-minute replacement for Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who needed knee surgery at the end of the first half.
The 2012 Home Run Derby begins at 5 p.m. PT on Monday night. It will be televised on ESPN.
For updates and perspective on the Arizona Diamondbacks, please visit AZ Snake Pit. For complete coverage of the All-Star Game and all things MLB, check out Baseball Nation.
