Right there with the NBA’s Slam Dunk Competition and the NFL’s All-Star Game, the MLB needs to do something about their fading Home Run Derby.  Like, cancelling it for many years.  At least until Chris “Back, Back, Back” Berman retires.

Clearly, baseball’s best sluggers have little interest in participating.  Why?  Because it’s tiring.  And, some would say, damaging.  Bobby Abreu’s winning performance in 2005 comes to mind.  At the break, he had 18 home runs in 89 games.  After the break, he had six in 73.

This year, many of the big names opted out early on, before being considered.  Josh Hamilton said “no way”.  Vladimir Guerrero, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Howard?  Nope.  Evan Longoria didn’t want any part of it. 

Today, Robinson Cano dropped out.  As of this writing, five players have committed.  Five.  The All-Star rosters have been known since Sunday.  It’s Wednesday.  And, the MLB has found five willing participants.  In the American League, it’s Miguel Cabrera, David Ortiz and Vernon Wells.  In the National League, it’s Matt Holliday and Corey Hart.

I think what we’ll see is the AL squad be completed by the likes of John Buck, Ty Wigginton and Jose Bautista.  The NL, probably Chris Young and Marlon Byrd.

All I know is, if Charlie Manuel steps up to the microphone and proudly proclaims that Omar Infante will fill out the NL Home Run Derby roster, I’m done.  Done.