The Home Run Derby Broke Our Slugger. Or Maybe Not

"Slump? I ain't in no slump. I just ain't hitting." -- Yogi Berra

You know you're really good when 2-for-24 is not a slowdown, it's an outright "slump."

Though I would hate to argue with Dennis Eckersley, and the Home Run Derby is an odd event that doesn't add much to the All-Star Festivities, it strikes me as pretty silly that we're pinning this on the Derby. These guys take batting practice every day. What, a few soft tosses thrown nine days ago are going to throw off his timing? Yogi's wisdom aside, maybe Tito's comment (via the Globe) is more relevant.

“He was hitting .360. I just don’t think you can do that all year,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “Not very many guys [do]. Sometimes you go through periods when you’re not seeing [the ball] as good as you were. That’ll get back. He was at such a pace, a torrid pace."

Torrid spoils you. This writer isn't worried about AG.