All-Star Week Gameday Thread

It wasn’t a stretch that Mookie Betts got the text from Major League Baseball asking him if he wanted to be in this season’s Home Run Derby. After all, he entered Friday night tied with Houston’s George Springer with the most home runs (18) of any American League outfielder.

For Betts, however, it was a question that he didn’t feel was worth asking.

“I wasn’t ever going to participate in the Home Run Derby,” said the Red Sox right fielder, telling MLB thanks but no thanks.

“I don’t know why the ball goes over the fence, but it does. How? Why? I have no idea how it does, but for me to go out there and try and do it on purpose I would mess myself up.”

Betts said the last Home Run Derby he found himself in was as a 10-year-old Little Leaguer, finishing second.

Those who will be participating include Robinson Cano, Giancarlo Stanton, Todd Frazier, Adam Duvall, Wil Myers, Carlos Gonzalez, Mark Trumbo and Corey Seager.

“I can’t hit home runs with those guys,” Betts said. “That’s like me going up in a Home Run Derby against Hanley and David. I can’t. That would be a complete waste of time and I don’t want to try and change my swing because I feel like I have more of a line-drive swing and not a 15-home run swing.

“I’ll say it over and over again. I have no idea how or why it goes over the fence, but whatever. I won’t ask any questions.”