Longoria in All-Star HR derby
Rookie 3B Evan Longoria's All-Star experience just got even more exciting as he was selected to participate in Monday night's home run derby.
"They just called me and I guess they needed another guy apparently, but they wanted me to do it because of the amount of fan votes that I got,'' Longoria said. "I guess I'm pretty popular with the fans so they wanted me to get in there and show what I can do.''
According to mlb.com, the field includes former Rays prospect and current Texas star Josh Hamilton, Cleveland's Grady Sizemore, Houston's Lance Berkman, Philadelphia's Chase Utley, Florida's Dan Uggla and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun.
Longoria said he doesn't have much experience, or expectations, for the derby. "I'm just going to try to hit one out, to be honest with you. I don't want to get donuted,'' he said. "I'm just going to go out there and try to enjoy it as much as I can and not worry about the results.''
Some players bring their own derby pitcher, but Longoria said he would pick someone there. "I', not a very good batting practice hitter as it is, so maybe somebody I haven't seen before will help me out,'' he said.
Manager Joe Maddon said he had some concern that Longoria would stray from his normal habits of hitting the ball up the middle by changing his swing to pull too many pitches.
"It's an honor that they would ask him obviously, and I'm sure he's going to have a good time with it,'' Maddon said. "My bigger concern is always what happens post-that. There's a lot of energy involved mentally and also physically, whereas I would not want him to get out of his swing.
"Hit home runs to right-center and rightfield there also would be kind of fun to watch as opposed to just trying to pull everything, because he pretty much stays in the middle of the field. I don't think necessarily winning it is so important as much as just being invited and then just going it about it the right way. ... You watch him in BP he doesn't spin on everything here so I'd like to think that he's gonna take the same thing and just try to drive the ball to the middle of the field. ... I'd like to see him do it, and do it with an intelligence about it, too.''
No worries, Longoria said: "Little does he know that we play home run derby here at 5 o'clock every day (in batting practice.)''
Longoria, 22, will be the first Ray to participate in that popular and nationally televised event.
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I voted for Longoria. She was hot in "Desperate Housewives."
Posted by: Lou | July 13, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Evan Longoria should win the homerun derby since he is on a team that swings for the fences on every pitch. This should not be new to him. Just to throw that in their. LOL!!! Oh I am sorry, then again they had batting practice pitchers like Sowers and Ginter and he and the rest of the teammates could not hit off of them TAKE THAT BACK; after all he will not win the home run derby.
Posted by: Edgar | July 13, 2008 at 07:36 PM
There playing home run derby every day at 5:00? There's a big problem right there! Swinging for the fences in BP, and then trying to hit line drives during the game. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense. You play like you practice. These guys better get serious.
Posted by: Dave | July 12, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Hey,
Just trying to get Scott involved in a great game.
Longo could pay since he will be the spotlight guy. Take up a collection from the pitching staff, it could be a lifetime memory for Scott. And he does deserve the spotlight.
Posted by: Cliff | July 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Don't worry Madden, can his hitting really get any worse? This team can't hit its way out of a paper bag.
Posted by: Jeff | July 11, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Cliff- Cursi can't afford to go to the all star game. He only makes like 25K a year.
Posted by: TJ | July 11, 2008 at 08:27 PM
He has no chance against Hamilton. I hope he goes and screws up his swing.
Posted by: tj | July 11, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Something tells me that McClung is too busy hitting buffet restaurants to serve up his cheese for the HR Derby.
He must have idolized Sid Fernandez growing up.
Posted by: Jh Skyscrapercity | July 11, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Hahahahaha - Paul cracks me up. How about Seth McClunker??
GO LONG LONGO!!!
Evan Allmighty
Posted by: Rex | July 11, 2008 at 07:07 PM
How about having Brian "chokes" Stokes pitch to Evan, he must have cost the Rays (then D'Rays) 10 wins alone!
Posted by: FortMyersDave | July 11, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Noooooo!!! Want to see Longo in the All-star game, but have heard many of HR derby guys say it screws them up for the rest of the year.
Not good when we can't score now.
Posted by: Hawkeye | July 11, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Maddon sounds like an old fuddy duddy. That "hr derby" can hurt your swing baloney is a bunch of hooey... like the Maddon curse. Hooey.
Posted by: 23 Skidoo | July 11, 2008 at 06:24 PM
How 'bout Casey Fossum as a BP pitcher? Now there's a guy who could throw some meatballs up there...
Posted by: Paul | July 11, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Hey longo let's bring home the trophy.
Posted by: Philip | July 11, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Hey Longo,
Why not have the Bullpen Catcher Scott Cursi serve you up some fat pitches to hit. I know he loves to go to the All-Star festivities, and it would also give him as great reason to be in NY next week.
Go Enforcer!!!!!
Posted by: Cliff | July 11, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Go Longo! Represent my Brotha'!
Posted by: JOhn | July 11, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Go Longo! Represent my Brotha'!
Posted by: JOhn | July 11, 2008 at 05:42 PM
yes, i was hoping to see this happen
Posted by: | July 11, 2008 at 05:31 PM