Just when it looked like Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez might win the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Phoenix, AZ, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and his father stole the show.
Gonzalez and Cano had both made it to the finals with Gonzo getting first crack. He would put up 11 in the finale giving him a grand total of 31 home runs on the night. Of course the finals aren’t cumulative so that wouldn’t matter. With his father throwing to him, Cano got hot in the finals and put on a great show. Actually they both did.
But with three outs to spare, Cano blasted his 12th home run of the final round to take the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby honors. The AL had already easily won the team competition as three of their four sluggers made it to the second round.
To me, if it weren’t for Gonzalez and Cano in the first round plus David Ortiz, Prince Fielder and Matt Holliday in the bat-off, it might have gotten boring. While Fielder hit some majestic home runs including the longest of the night, it was really Cano and Gonzalez who kept the fans in it.
It was definitely fun seeing those two go at it. Sure it might have a Red Sox-Yankees rivalry thing but they made it worth watching.
In case you missed it, here’s the highlights of Gonzo’s final round:
In Red Sox news, Terry Francona set his rotation for the first three games after the break against the Tampa Bay Rays. Andrew Miller, John Lackey and Josh Beckett will pitch in those three games.
We’ll be back later today with the lineups, news and notes from the 2011 MLB All-Star Game but for now enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Is there life after David Ortiz for the Red Sox? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Right now, Ortiz has a bright future [Boston Globe]
Star in fixed position [Boston Globe]
Cano turns on the power [Boston Globe]
Gonzo is just out of this world [Boston Globe]
Elite agree: Adrian Gonzalez great [Boston Herald]
Sox look like fall guys [Boston Herald]
Carlos Beltran would be cool with deal to Red Sox [Boston Herald]
Home Run Derby: Robinson Cano powers past Adrian Gonzalez [Boston Herald]
Life without Big Papi? [Boston Herald]
Boras doesn’t expect to talk Ellsbury contract until after season [Clubhouse Insider]
Cano tops Gonzalez in Home Run Derby [CSNNE.com]
Reddick’s All-Star break more enjoyable this year [CSNNE.com]
Source: Nothing to Garza trade rumors [CSNNE.com]
Beltran, Cuddyer possible Red Sox RF targets [CSNNE.com]
All-Star notes: Beckett good to go if called upon [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox Report Card: Mid-year review [CSNNE.com]
Lester: Sox will make sure I’m OK for October [ESPN Boston]
Youkilis: Gregg’s view of Sox not widely held [ESPN Boston]
Video: Sox talk about being All-Stars [ESPN Boston]
Beckett: Weaver deserves to start [ESPN Boston]
For this, Beckett, Lester willing to make nice [ESPN Boston]
Ethier on Pedroia snub: He’ll play better [ESPN Boston]
Video: State of the Nation from Arizona [ESPN Boston]
Wilson predicts a Red Sox-Giants series [Extra Bases]
Ethier on Pedroia: ‘Relax and Laser Show’ [Extra Bases]
Video: Ellsbury honored to be All-Star [Extra Bases]
Gonzalez had a blast in Derby [Extra Bases]
Video: David Ortiz on Home Run Derby [Extra Bases]
Red Sox pitching prospect Pimentel demoted to Salem [Full Count]
A look at breakthrough campaign of diabetic Red Sox prospect Chih-Hsieh Chiang [Full Count]
Ron Washington says Josh Beckett was next in line to start All-Star Game [Full Count]
Beltran: Accepting trade to Red Sox ‘a no brainer’ [Full Count]
Scott Boras on Jacoby Ellsbury: ‘We’re seeing what we expected’ [Full Count]
Heath Bell keeping a close eye on Jonathan Papelbon’s situation [Full Count]
Remember when Justin Upton was going to be a Red Sox? [Full Count]
Adrian Beltre really thought he was going to remain with the Red Sox [Full Count]
Andre Ethier talks reunion with Dustin Pedroia … with the Diamondbacks [Full Count]
How Manny Acta ended up helping Adrian Gonzalez to the finals [Full Count]
Video: Heidi Watney Hangs Out by Chase Field Pool Before Home Run Derby [NESN.com]
After tough start, Red Sox live up to expectations [Providence Journal]
Minor-league notebook: Doubront’s making strides [Providence Journal]
If baseball’s All-Star Game matters, then stars should have to play [Providence Journal]
Red Sox’s All-Stars shine brightly in Phoenix [RedSox.com]
What we learned on Home Run Derby Day [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
Photo credit: Getty Images
