Robinson Cano wins Home Run Derby contest over Adrian Gonzalez – MLB All-Star Update
New York Yankees’ second baseman, Robinson Cano showed extreme power with his bat and hit 12 homers to break the record of the Boston Red Sox first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez, who had 11 home-runs in the final round.
Home Run Derby is basically an event which is played just before the MLB All-Star Game. The purpose of this contest is to determine the abilities of the top hitters by tossing them pitches to strike the most home-runs. There were eight MLB players who took
part in the Home Run Derby.
Cano was excited after having the winning home-run as he jumped into the air and then celebrated jubilations by hugging his Dad. His father, Jose Cano was also an MLB player in the 90s and ranked as a starter for the Houston Astros.
During the press conference at Chase Field in Phoenix, Cano said, “The best thing was not my swing, it was the kind of man who was throwing. He’s my dad, the one that knows me very well, the one I practice with in the offseason and go to every day after
the game on the phone.”
After having an exciting victory, Cano become the third Yankee player who won the Home Run Derby title. Tino Martinez won that title in 1997 and Jason Giambi in 2002.
Cano was just short of Gonzalez’ homers during the first round as Cano had eight and Gonzalez went ahead with nine homers. In Round 2, Cano hit 12 home-runs and Gonzalez was able to strike just 11 but their subtotal reached to 20. In the finals, Cano snatched
the lead from Gonzalez by hitting 12 home-runs and attained a total of 32.
It was the disappointing moment for Gonzalez as he hit just 11 home-runs during the finals and was unable to beat Cano. Speaking to reporters, Gonzalez said, “That was a lot of fun. I had a blast with it. You’re tired by the third round. Cano did an unbelievable
job to get to 12 home runs, and he still had four outs left. He just swung the bat great.”
The rest of the players were far behind these two outstanding players, Cano and Gonzalez. Milwaukee Brewers’ first baseman Prince Fielder and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz both tied the Home Run Derby challenge with their nine homers. It was a tough
time for Ortiz as he struggled with his batting and could not hit more home-runs.
Matt Holliday was able to hit five home-runs in the first round but failed to connect the ball in the next rounds. Jose Bautista had four, Rickie Weeks had three and Matt Kemp struck only two home-runs.
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