Home Run Derby

Arizona Diamondbacks TV Broadcaster Mark Grace had an illustrious 16 year career - 13 years with the Chicago Cubs (1988-2000) followed by 3 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-2003).

Grace compiled some great stats with the Cubs, where he led the Majors in hits and doubles during the 1990’s …

… but his nights in the Arizona Desert probably outshine his days in Cubbie Blue …

• 2001 - Won a World Series with the D-Backs, sparking the series-winning rally in Game Seven
• 2004 - Became the D-Backs’ TV Analyst and is signed through 2010
• 2004 - Interviewed for the D-Backs manager position
• 2008 - Named to the D-Backs Tenth Aniversary Team at First Base

Despite all that … I think Grace would jump at the chance to be part of the Cubs again. 

In the playoffs last season, before the Cubs and D-Backs met in the first round, Grace tried to butter both sides of his bread …

“My dad always taught me to never bite the hand that feeds you,” he said. “And right now I’m being fed by the Arizona Diamondbacks.  You always want the team you work for to move on, but if they are going to lose, you certainly want it to be the team you have the history with.

Not very gung-ho for the D-Backs there. 

And when the D-Backs travelled to Wrigley Field this past weekend, Grace came back to his old stomping grounds … on Friday, he made it clear that he still has some real warm feelings for the Cubs and their fans …

cue the video …

(more…)

Standings are updated.

For the third straight week, Joba Rules the Derby.  Joba was the first to cross the century mark and with 112 HR, he has a comfortable lead as we approach the season’s quarter-pole.

Following Joba is a second place tie (105 HR) between Oaktags and Herby’s Heroes.  Belichoke trails them by a single HR.

For the first time this season, no Derby team tallied 20 Home Runs for the week.  But two teams came real close as the Husband/Wife duo of Homersaurus Rex and Annimals each tallied 19 HR to make a move on the leaderboard.

Worst week went to Go Yanks! with a pathetic 4-HR showing.  Believe it or not - that showing is not a record bad in HRD.  Last season, the aforementioned Annimals posted a 3-spot … twice.  Mind you … Go Yanks! running two-week total of only 10 HR is a HRD record for two-week futility.  Any guesses who’s in last place … by 12 HR?

Stud of the Week

Kevin Youkilis

Yooouk belted Five Home Runs last week after only hitting three in the prior six weeks (includes the trip to Japan). 

Too bad only two derby teams (JoBu and Russellmania) had Youk … and they’re both a ways behind the leaders.

Who’s Hot

• Dan Uggla (4 HR) - That’s the second straight week that Uggla has put up a 4-spot for six Derby players.  During Uggla’s short career, only 17 players have hit as many Home Runs (69 or more).
• Chris Young (3 HR) -
• Jermaine Dye (3 HR) - Nice to see Dye back on track for a while.  If you’re keeping track, yes, that’s three straight Group C Players on the Hot ist.  No one had all three players.
• Joey Votto (3 HR) - We already talked about Votto.  Outside of that 3-HR game, he only batted .125 last week.  Only one team has Votto in the Derby.

Who’s Cold

• Victor Martinez - Has a big HR Donut on the season and he hasnb’t been hurt.
• Andruw Jones - Moving to Chavez Ravine was a BAD idea.
• Ken Griffey Jr. - Stalled at 597