Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano has been named captain of the American League Home Run Derby team, and he says he will go for his second straight title with his dad again throwing the pitches.
Los Angeles Dodgers injured outfielder Matt Kemp is leading the NL team for the derby at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on July 9 as part of the All-Star weekend festivities. Kemp is on the disabled list with an injured left hamstring.
With his dad, Jose Cano, pitching, Cano beat Adrian Gonzalez for the derby championship at Arizona last year.
Cano said he hasn’t contacted anyone yet but the first person he would go to is teammate Curtis Granderson, who has 17 homers this year.
The All-Star game is July 10.
While Cano is in for the AL, Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, who had one of the most memorable Home Run Derby performances in the history of the event, will be passing again on the chance at an encore.
Hamilton said on Tuesday that he has was offered the opportunity to be the captain for the American League team, but he declined and won’t participate at all. Hamilton has not been a part of the event since 2008, when he hit a record 28 homers in the first round.
“It’s just not the right time,” Hamilton said of passing on this year’s event. “I haven’t done it in the last couple years. I want to be healthy and be the best I can be for the team. I don’t want to take a chance of going out and hurting anything trying to entertain folks in the (Home Run Derby). That’s why I declined again.”
WRITTEN BY Information from ESPNDallas.com’s Jeff Fletcher and The Associated Press was used in this report & FULL STORY HERE
