Home Run Derby

Okay this is a ridiculously late Home Run Derby contest update, but the Vernon Wells heckler scoop trumped our weekly update.

Empire of Dirt continued his Derby reign, becoming the first team to lead two separate weeks in the Derby. And everyone’s favorite bad guy took a tumble when The El Guapos couldn’t keep up the pace. Dirt still leads our fair contest, currently followed by The Master-Batters in 2nd and Morneau’s BS MVP and Human Growth Hitters in a 3rd Place tie.

Best week went to Weis One (23 HR).  First we’ve heard of ol’ BW all season.

Last place was pretty much cemented by The Komodos for another week. Those longshots in Group E are just not paying off. And I think he’s got three guys on the injury list below.
Stud of the Week - Prince Fielder (4 HR) The Brewers are still rolling with the best record in baseball.  Fielder hitting 4 HR, batting .440 while slugging .960 last week have a lot to do with that.

BP Pitcher of the week -

Hot Sluggers

• Troy Glaus (4 HR): Not his fault the Jays were 1-6 last week.
• Craig Monroe (3 HR): Seems to have broken out of his slump
• Ken Griffey Jr (3 HR): Weren’t expecting that, were you?
• Gary Sheffield (3 HR): Three HR in five games.  Nice.
• Chipper Jones (3 HR):  We talked about Chipper last week.

Cold Sluggers (aka LaRocheville)

• Adam LaRoche - Quite possibly the worst Free Agent signing this offseason
• Jacq… Nope.  No one sucks more in the Derby than LaRoche right now

Injury Update

•  Jim Thome (ribs) could begin a rehab assignment on May 9
• Michael Cuddyer (back) could miss the whole White Sox series
• Mike Piazza (choulder) will be on the DL until late June.  Rumors have circulated that he’s been “On the DL’ for much longer than that.
• Chad Tracy (back) is questionable for the Philly series
• Ryan Howard (shoulder) might be out until May 11

This past Sunday, we wrote about some hecklers who got a ball from Blue Jays CenterFielder Vernon Wells. Wells politely gave back some of the heckling he was getting during the game …

The Toronto Sun originally told one side of the story … Vernon Wells’ side.

They’ve since come out with another article about the Heckler ringleaders, Jeff Raycher and Tom Montague.

Last Wednesday during a game at Cleveland’s Jacobs Field, Raycher and some of the other “Bleacher Creatures” had a running, good natured banter going with Wells that ended with Wells tossing a ball to Raycher complete with a tongue-in-cheek message.

“Usually all we get is a tip of the hat or a wave,” Raycher said of their heckling of whomever the centre fielder is that’s playing against their beloved Indians. “This night we had at least 100 or so (fans) jumping on board and getting on Vernon pretty good.”

Home Run Derby also had a chance to talk to Jeff Raycher - the guy who actually has the infamous ball. And as you can see, Jeff sent us pictures. I haven’t seen them anywhere else.

Home Run Derby: Based upon the report of heckling that I read in the Toronto Sun, I called your comments “lame-ass criticism.” Care to refute me?

Jeff Raycher: Our heckling was superb. You cannot get that kind of response (the ball) from something that didn’t work. Vernon has a great sense of humor, and we commend him for it.

HRD: Tell me what you guys were saying then.

JR: There were many chants … While the gist of the quote is close, it’s not the same … If you were there listening, you’d see it was humorous and not lame.

HRD: Did you ask for a ball?

JR: We never asked for a ball. That was his idea.

HRD: Do you plan on putting the ball up for auction on eBay, like I speculated?

JR: The ball is not for sale, so you won’t see it on eBay.

HRD: Any plans to keep on heckling?

JR: Next up: Road trip to Detroit in September for the Tigers/Blue Jays rainout make-up game (Sept 10). Vernon is getting another dose In the mean time, the Blue Jays still suck. GO TRIBE.

HRD: We are so going to Detroit - ROAD TRIP !!

Home Run Derby would like to thank Jeff Raycher for his time, his wit, and his pictures.

And we wish him continued success in heckling millionaires who play a kid’s game.

MAY 10 UPDATE - Read Jeff Raycher’s story in his own words … Only at Home Run Derby.

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