If Derby Participants Had to Run Out Their Blasts

Written by Larry Granillo on Tuesday, 13 July 2010 02:33.

American League All-Star David Ortiz (R) of the Boston Red Sox hugs National League All-Star Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins after Ortiz finished the second round during Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Anaheim, California July 12, 2010. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

Using the average trot time so far this season for each of the eight Home Run Derby participants and the number of home runs they each hit in the Derby, I did a quick calculation to see just how much time we saved in not having to watch them trot around the bases after each blast. As you can see, it was quite a bit of time for the heavier hitters.

But then again, it's not like the current structure of the Home Run Derby saves all that much time. Maybe the difference wouldn't be noticeable...

Player Avg. Trot Derby HRs Total Trot Time

David Ortiz 27.39 32 14:36.48

Hanley Ramirez 24.91 26 10:47.66

Miguel Cabrera 25.61 12 5:07.32

Corey Hart 21.8 13 4:43.4

Matt Holliday 23.66 5 1:58.3

Nick Swisher 21.95 4 1:27.8

Vernon Wells 21.65 2 43.3

Chris Young 22.54 1 22.54

Player	Avg. Trot	Derby HRs	Total Trot Time
David Ortiz	27.39	32	14:36.48
Hanley Ramirez	24.91	26	10:47.66
Miguel Cabrera	25.61	12	5:07.32
Corey Hart	21.8	13	4:43.4
Matt Holliday	23.66	5	1:58.3
Nick Swisher	21.95	4	1:27.8
Vernon Wells	21.65	2	43.3
Chris Young	22.54	1	22.54

And while I wouldn't actually want to see the contestants have to run out each of their shorts, I probably wouldn't mind seeing it once. After all, I don't really want to watch three-hours of glorified batting practice, but I do anyway. Maybe we can include Tater Trots as part of the "Skills Competition" we hear people imagine every year. Then we'd get to see guys like Adam Rosales and Chris Heisey and Marlon Byrd have at it. Now that'd be something I'd watch...