The new Home Run Derby rules graded out at an A++ last night.

A few things in no particular order:

• I understand that all of these streaming services are throwing literal bags of cash at the NFL, MLB, and NBA to have exclusive content that people need to subscribe to that outlet to see. But the Home Run Derby being exclusively on Netflix last night was a TRAVESTY. The Derby is Americana. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. That needs to be on ESPN, Fox, etc. Make it accessible to everyone. I know Netflix has a massive subscriber base but it just feels like big events like that need to be available to as many people as possible. Also: LET PEOPLE KNOW IT’S ON NETFLIX. I feel like I’m pretty plugged in to what’s going on in the baseball world, yet there I was at 6:57pm last night googling, “what channel is the Derby on,” because I couldn’t’ find it anywhere.
• The ‘swing’ format replacing the timed format was, the words of Cousin Eddie, “reaaal nice.” 20 swings in round 1, 15 swings in the next two rounds, and your last swing can last forever as long as you keep hitting home runs. Brilliant! They had the “outs” format for forever, then moved to the timed format, but putting a clock on the Derby just automatically makes everything feel rushed. Pitches were getting lobbed in to batters before home runs even landed because it was a speed game. Home runs need to be savored. They need to be ooooooo-ed and ahhhhhh-ed. Like a great meal at a nice restaurant. You don’t want to shovel food down your gob like you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. You want to enjoy it! That’s the format that should stick.
• The Philly crowd was electric last night. I know they get a bad wrap (you throw batteries at Santa ONE time), but they do make things more exciting. When it came down to their guy, Schwarber, and Jordan Walker last night, they really added to the moment. Boo-ing Walker non-stop until he swung, and then exploding in cheers when he made contact and it wasn’t a home run really made the atmosphere pop.
• There’s an internet blogger/podcaster that I know that made a snap decision to put money on Jordan Walker at +650 last night. And he (allegedly) made the bet right in the middle of a podcast episode?? Sounds like a fun listen! Or at least something you could give a 5/5 rating to even if you’ve never listened to an episode, and never intend to. Something to think about!

Anyway, I say it every year, but there’s something about the MLB All Star break that I’ve always loved. Just makes me feel like a 10-year old kid on summer vacation again. The Derby is appointment viewing for me every year and last night delivered in a big way.

PS: Another thing I say every year, but I do miss this guy screaming, “BACKBACKBACKBACKBACK” all night like a psychopath.

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.