2009 Home Run Derby Lineup Leads All-Star Game Festivities

The 2009 Home Run Derby lineup has more than a few bashers, as the 2009 Home Run Derby lineup kicks off the All Star festivities in full. The 2009 Home Run Derby lineup will try to light up the St. Louis sky tonight, in the biggest pre-All Star game show in baseball. Last year's Home Run Derby lineup was dominated by Josh Hamilton's big first round, though he did not actually win the Home Run Derby. The 2009 Home Run Derby lineup doesn't have Josh Hamilton this time, but has a few familiar names and home town favorites.

Eight sluggers make up the 2009 Home Run Derby lineup, with four from each league. St. Louis is very familiar with a few of those names, and will save most of its cheers for one specific player in the lineup.

Albert Pujols is currently the leader in home runs throughout baseball, and is the headlining act of the 2009 Home Run Derby lineup. Pujols will be the headliner for tonight and for tomorrow night's All-Star Game, as Pujols represents St. Louis in a year where he is threatening to win the Triple Crown. As such, the Cardinals fans will expect a big showing from Pujols in the 2009 Home Run Derby.

The other big name in the 2009 Home Run Derby may be Ryan Howard, who is from St. Louis. Since Howard is with the Phillies now, no one will pull for him over Pujols. But Howard has won the Home Run Derby before, and looks to bring the title back to Philadelphia.

The other two National League names in the lineup are Brewers' slugger Prince Fielder, and new breakout star Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres.

The American League names in the 2009 Home Run Derby lineup are less well known by comparison, especially in a National League town. However, one of them may sneak up to win the whole thing night.

Joe Mauer is having a near .400 season, and looks to keep the Home Run Derby title in Minnesota after Justin Morneau won it last year. Carlos Pena represents the Rays, as he comes in a day after he was named as a replacement for the All-Star Game itself.

Josh Hamilton's teammate Nelson Cruz will represent Texas this time, while Brandon Inge of the Tigers rounds out the lineup.

The questions around the 2009 Home Run Derby center over whether the famed event has lost its touch. Some question the validity of the American League lineup, and the steroid controversy has taken away much of the luster - and validity - of home runs in general.

However, St. Louis is still anxious to put on a good long ball show, as the 2009 Home Run Derby lineup swings for the Busch Stadium fences starting at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

Sources

Cappers Picks- "2009 MLB Home Run Derby Prediction" www.capperspicks.com/blog/mlb-baseball/2009-home-run-derby-prediction-13070/

The Daily Iowan- "Point/counterpoint: Has the Home Run Derby lost its luster?" www.dailyiowan.com/2009/07/13/Sports/12033.html