There’s undercurrent of fans and others within baseball who believe that participation in an MLB Home Run Derby can undermine a player’s performance the remainder of that season.
Do not count Clint Hurdle among that group’s school of thought. At all.
“People say, ‘Oooh, the season the guys have had (dropping off after taking part in the home run derby),’” the Pittsburgh Pirates manager said. “You know what? Get over it, man.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I just think it’s really cool. That’s my personal opinion. I think it’s really cool.”
It’s only natural that Josh Bell would be a prime candidate to take part in MLB’s annual All-star game.https://t.co/FcIW9tLcVu
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) June 22, 2019
Knowing Hurdle’s thoughts, then, it should come as no surprise that Hurdle is unequivocally supportive of his slugging first baseman, Josh Bell, participating in this year’s home run derby.
While it has not been officially announced, Bell has been asked and apparently will accept the invitation.
Conventional wisdom suggests that a player’s swing can be ruined taking part in the derby, and that there is a chance for injury while swinging that had that many times.
Hurdle doesn’t live in those fears. Asked directly if he is OK with Bell taking part in the July 8 derby at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, Hurdle said, “Absolutely.
“Absolutely. And it’s not my decision to make – it’s his decision to make. He’s earned the opportunity; anybody who thinks it their decision, I would just say it’s a little misguided.”
Heading into Saturday night’s game, Bell had 20 home runs this season in addition to a .312 batting average and .642 slugging percentage with 50 extra-base hits in 73 games.
“I think he’s excited about it, from my conversations with him,” Hurdle said. “He’s already handpicked his BP guy.”
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