Fielder Was All-Star Break MVP
So Carl Crawford won the All-Star Game MVP award Tuesday night thanks in part to his robbery of Brad Hawpe's home run attempt in the bottom of the seventh Tuesday night. But when taking the entire week into account (basically the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game) the real MVP was Prince Fielder.
First, on Monday night Fielder put on a show for the St. Louis crowd. With all the media focusing on Albert Pujols and hometown kid Ryan Howard, Fielder batted second in the derby, and, following Nelson Cruz's astonishing 11 home runs, smacked 11 of his own, including a 497-foot bomb, taking top spots for longest home run (at the time). Tied for first and then having to wait through nine more batters before getting to hit again, Prince did not disappoint, adding six more for a total of 17 through the first two rounds and a spot in the Finals.
In that second round, Prince topped himself, blasting one 503-feet to right center, clinching the longest homer of the night. All in all, Fielder hit the four longest home runs, and eight of the top ten, owning the derby in terms of distance like no one has before. In the Final, Cruz (a former Brewers prospect) and Fielder (a two-time Brewers All-Star) matched wits, with Fielder coming out on top, 6-5, to become the first Brewer ever to win the Home Run Derby.
Carrying that momentum to Tuesday night, Fielder got his opportunity in the All-Star Game in the bottom of the second inning when he pinch-hit for Tim Lincecum. With two outs and a runner on second, Fielder hit an opposite field ground-rule double to drive in Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and give the NL a 3-2 lead. With that, Fielder's night was done, and what a success it had been.
The double was Fielder's first All-Star Game hit, something even Ryan Braun doesn't have (he's 0-5 in two games). So Crawford can have his ASG MVP, but to us Brewer fans, and to most people who take the Home Run Derby just as serious as the game itself (the fact it decides home field advantage has not increased my interest in the game one bit), the real MVP was Prince Fielder.
First, on Monday night Fielder put on a show for the St. Louis crowd. With all the media focusing on Albert Pujols and hometown kid Ryan Howard, Fielder batted second in the derby, and, following Nelson Cruz's astonishing 11 home runs, smacked 11 of his own, including a 497-foot bomb, taking top spots for longest home run (at the time). Tied for first and then having to wait through nine more batters before getting to hit again, Prince did not disappoint, adding six more for a total of 17 through the first two rounds and a spot in the Finals.
In that second round, Prince topped himself, blasting one 503-feet to right center, clinching the longest homer of the night. All in all, Fielder hit the four longest home runs, and eight of the top ten, owning the derby in terms of distance like no one has before. In the Final, Cruz (a former Brewers prospect) and Fielder (a two-time Brewers All-Star) matched wits, with Fielder coming out on top, 6-5, to become the first Brewer ever to win the Home Run Derby.
Carrying that momentum to Tuesday night, Fielder got his opportunity in the All-Star Game in the bottom of the second inning when he pinch-hit for Tim Lincecum. With two outs and a runner on second, Fielder hit an opposite field ground-rule double to drive in Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and give the NL a 3-2 lead. With that, Fielder's night was done, and what a success it had been.
The double was Fielder's first All-Star Game hit, something even Ryan Braun doesn't have (he's 0-5 in two games). So Crawford can have his ASG MVP, but to us Brewer fans, and to most people who take the Home Run Derby just as serious as the game itself (the fact it decides home field advantage has not increased my interest in the game one bit), the real MVP was Prince Fielder.
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