Home Run Derby Turning into Slam Dunk Contest

As we approach the Annual Mid-Summer Classic one of the most fun things to watch in Major League Baseball is the Home Run Derby. The only problem with this years derby is we have more guys who don't want to do it than do. The National League participants are Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez so far for the American League Brandon Inge, Joe Mauer and Nelson Cruz. Numerous of the games best home run hitters have said no thanks, that list includes Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and last years Champ Justin Morneau. Over the last couple years it seems like the slots have been harder and harder to fill and most of the Superstars would rather not do it. I compare it to the Slam Dunk contest because how many years have NBA fans wanted to see Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade in the contest and yet they continue to wait. Same goes for the derby imagine a final with A-Rod vs. Pujols, well keep dreaming. One of the biggest arguments for not being in the derby is that it affects your swing, and honestly i cant disagree. Case in point look at Josh Hamilton last year, Before The All Star Break: .310 Avg 21 HR 95 RBI; After the All Star Break: .296 Avg 11 HR 35 RBI. Average didn't drop much but the power numbers went way down. As much as i do love the derby it is almost getting to the point that if the biggest stars don't compete whats the point. In what used to be the most exciting thing during the All Star Break could turn into the biggest yawn.