[vincesanity82]

Ryan Howard will defend his Home Run Derby championship at San Francisco's AT&T Park. "It was fun last year, and it's an honor to be invited back," he told reporters Monday.
Howard hit 23 home runs to win last year's event at Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
Howard, who wasn't selected to the NL All-Star team, said the thought of competing against Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. sealed the deal for him.
"I thought that you might have Barry Bonds. You might have Ken Griffey Jr.," Howard told reporters. "Potentially having those guys in the Derby, it would be ridiculous. That would be a power-packed field. I thought about it, and I decided, why not?"
Bonds told reporters on Sunday that he likely won't participate but it isn't known if Griffey will take part in the long-ball contest.
Other sluggers who have committed to the contest are the Brewers' Prince Fielder and the Twins' Justin Morneau.
Fielder leads the NL with 27 homers, while Howard, with 19, is fourth. Morneau is second in the AL behind the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez (2 with 20 home runs.
The derby will be televised by ESPN on Monday, July 9 at 8 p.m. ET.

ESPN - Phillies' Howard to defend Home Run Derby title - MLB

[Lefty Noob]

Home Run Derby's always a lot of fun. Bonds normally doesn't participate, does he? Shame A-Rod's hurt... would've been nice to see him in it too. Griffey, Howard and Fielder will be fun to watch, and I hope Papi does it again too.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Home Run Derby's always a lot of fun. Bonds normally doesn't participate, does he? Shame A-Rod's hurt... would've been nice to see him in it too. Griffey, Howard and Fielder will be fun to watch, and I hope Papi does it again too.

Saw Bonds a few years ago and he was great...Is Fielder part of it this year?

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Saw Bonds a few years ago and he was great...Is Fielder part of it this year?

yes and it should be interesting, fielder has impressed the heck out of me..

"Other sluggers who have committed to the contest are the Brewers' Prince Fielder and the Twins' Justin Morneau."