Best Event in Professional Sports Happening Today

Today - July 14, 2008 - is All Star Monday and that means our favorite sporting event of the year, the Home Run Derby, is taking place. While the actual All Star Game has become rather boring, the Derby is truly the main event - showcasing the top (and usually younger) sluggers in baseball. Furthermore, the other All Stars watch from the sidelines, showing a laid back and carefree nature rarely seen during the season. This year's competition features Astros veteran Lance Berkman (pictured above from his 2006 appearance) alongside Ryan Braun, Josh Hamilton, Evan Longoria, Justin Morneau, Grady Sizemore, Dan Uggla, and Chase Utley. The list is pretty solid, aside from the fact that it lacks the presence of Alex Rodriguez. ESPN's Jayson Stark was none too happy about this:

A-Rod told The New York Times last month that he didn't want to take part in this Derby because "it sets your swing back about three weeks." But we'd like to know exactly what he bases that on.

Because it isn't the facts.

The last time A-Rod took part in a Home Run Derby was 2002. Want to know how far he set his swing back that year? He damaged it so irreparably, he hit four homers in the first four games after the break.

Chris Singleton disagrees:

A guy like A-Rod knows himself, knows his swing. I think with everything he's got going on -- on and off the field -- he wants to show as much commitment as he can to his performance for the Yankees. He wants to help salvage the season and possibly get the Yankees to the postseason. He doesn't want to jeopardize that. I totally understand guys who worry that the Home Run Derby could alter their swings. It depends on how mentally tough you are -- and how disciplined you can be after the Derby.

A-Rod or not, we will be glued to ESPN starting at 8PMET and live-blogging the whole way through it.