NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The unofficial halfway point of the MLB season is already here, and fans across the country will be tuning in to one of the Monday night baseball shows.
However, this year’s Home Run Derby could be the most watched ever, as it will be streamed on Netflix.
“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be really exciting. What they’re doing to our sport is basically getting worldwide recognition. Fans who might not be interested in baseball see it’s on Netflix and think, ‘Hey, I want to watch this.’ So we have a really good opportunity to bring baseball to viewers who don’t necessarily watch it on a daily basis,” former All-Star and Derby participant Anthony Rizzo, who is a Netflix analyst for the event, recently told Pakinomist Digital.
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA MAY HAVE LEAKED SOME MLB ALL-STARS HOURS AHEAD OF THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo strikes out during the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Elsa/Getty Images)
“They bring stardom everywhere. Everything they do is Netflix prime. So I’m excited about the guests we’re going to have on, the baseball players, the celebrities, the whole shelf.”
In an era where All-Star Games have turned into mere cautious scrimmages, baseballs remain different as 100 mph fastballs with devastating breaking balls are still constant.
“I think when you get between the lines, it’s all fun and games until the game starts. It’s still casual and fun, but when you’re in the box or on defense, it’s very competitive. You want to take the guy deep, you want a hit, you want to showcase your All-Star talent on the national stage. If you come out, it doesn’t matter as much if you perform as well at the All-Star Game,” Rizzo said.
An All-Star phenomenon in the NBA’s Dunk Contest has arguably been diluted by the fact that the stars of the game simply don’t participate. But that’s not the case with the Home Run Derby, even with the exhaustion it entails.
Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs hits during the Gillette Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
FORMER SAVANNAH BANANAS PLAYER NAMED MLB ALL-STAR HOURS AFTER HITTING THE CYCLE AS A ROOKIE
“I’ve played the Derby myself and I was sore for a week afterward just because of how hard I swung. So you really have to assess where you’re at physically and mentally. It’s also mentally draining. The magnitude and the emotions that go into the Derby and the All-Star Game are intense, and then two days later Rizzo said you’re back, so you’re back yourself.
But Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Junior Caminero and Ben Rice are just some of the top names that will be in Philadelphia trying to hit as many home runs in 20 swings each round.
“The derby brings adrenaline that you’re just not used to having in July,” Rizzo said.
“You want the big stars in it all the time. It’s also really good for young players to showcase themselves. I don’t think the game will ever shy away from that, and the incentive to win now is higher than it’s ever been. To hit a couple of home runs in a couple of hours and win seven figures is certainly a pretty nice result.”
The break, Rizzo thinks, has the potential to be one of the best ever.
“I think it’s just so hard to be an All-Star every year. The thing that goes into being an All-Star in Major League Baseball, especially as a position player, is you’re not just going to roll out there and hit 20 to 30 home runs at the All-Star break and have a .280 to .300 average. There’s so much work that goes into it,” he said.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo looks on during batting practice before the 86th MLB All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
“Then you get to enjoy and celebrate that moment with all your peers who have also had a great first half. The Home Run Derby is great. It’s in Philly and I feel like Philly right now is just on fire. The Phillies have completely turned their season around and look like World Series contenders again. It’s America’s 250th birthday, the World Cup is coming right now, Derby. All-Star Game, I’d imagine the city is going to rock.”
