Back to the future for BAB legend

DaRosa turns back the clock to capture HR crown

SANTA CLARA -- On paper, the 4th annual BAB Home Run Derby didn't look to be a very exciting event. 2/3 of the participants hadn't gone deep all season, yet were allowed to participate for the first time since 2003, seeing as how so few BAD ASSes have cleared the fences in '06. The 1/3 who HAD gone deep had combined for 5 total in a combined 40+ games.

Many wondered if all 9 participants would begin their turns with 0, and end them that way as well.

A pair of legends changed all that on a sunny day at Goodson Field.

With Kuzmiak and Manning alternating camera duties, Flores was the first to take aim at the fences. The longtime BAD ASS did not come close to a homer, nor did Minor who followed him (in fact, Minor basically gave up with a minimal effort on his last swing).

Up stepped "Big Tits" Bernal, with 29 career dingers but none in '06. He did mash one to the "warning track", but was done in by 4 swing-throughs. Next came the surprise of the day, Sacramento, who has two 11-HR seasons to his credit but only 2 overall in the last two seasons (none in '06). Sac unleashed shot after shot, including one over what would have been the short porch, a foul that likely would have been gone, and one that landed at the bottom of the stake of the lowered LC fence.

Sac put on quite a show, one which the league hasn't seen from him in some time, but ultimately failed to put one fair over the fence.

Captain Joe Davis, considered as a "dark horse" candidate to win the derby by one BAB vet, put up several mighty cuts but other than a shot over the "short porch", did not seriously threaten the fences. Simas hit some balls very hard but only one or two had the height to approach HR distance. In the end, the homerless remained homerless, quashing any potential controversy a homerless winner may have brought.

Using the beloved Powercell owned by Davis, DaRosa walloped some extremely high popups before finally clearing the fence on swing #9 to advance. Kuzmiak, batting lefty and thought by many, including myself, to be a strong contender, did himself in by fouling off 8 balls (Flores had taken a seat in the foul RF bleachers and Kuzmiak practically played pepper with him) en route to a zero for the round.

Next up: Manning, who hit shots like we haven't seen all year from him in all 4 rounds; it only took 4 swings for him to go yard in the 1st. Wanting to stop immediately, the other players urged him to take the rest of his swings, which he did by bunting, extreme-puss-hitting, and swinging the bat upside-down. On to Round #2.

This time, it was Cav who went down to swing #9 before clubbing a 4-bagger--enabling he and DaRosa to advance to Round #3. Both men went homerless in that round.

DaRosa, however, started Round 4 by putting one over, then directly on, the fence on his first two swings, and Manning was unable to match him. So for the first time, a true BAD ASS founding father walked off as Home Run King. For expectant father DaRosa, who clubbed 37 HR in 2003 but only 4 since, the victory was especially sweet having come on Father's Day.

DERBY NOTES:

• As mentioned, the short porch was not in use for the derby.

• Manning's display of power was a reminder to not only the league, but himself, that he isn't just a puss hitter--he is still an offensive force to be reckoned with and just may go off on a tear as captain of the forthcoming series.  

• Nick Collins (the defending derby champion) and Ryan Ledee, the two longball leaders this season, were not present, nor was Torance Matsui, 3rd on the all-time homer list.

• Other prior champs, B-Rid and Jason LaRose, were also absent.

• The Ass-Backwards-Costume game, which is normally played directly after the Derby, had been previously rescheduled for a later date--possibly at the end of the season to coincide with the banquet.

• Though no still photos of the event were snapped, Manning brought his video camera and hopefully the "tape" will be soon available for viewing.

• Prior to his turn at-bat, DaRosa spent the day camped in a lawnchair in LF. Once the first round was complete the rest of the league took turns with it.

• During warmups and intermissions, the league entertained itself with a soccer ball brought by Minor and Simas (Davis nearly fell down trying to handle it).

• Feel better, Joel. We're all thinking about you. JD

BAD ASS of the Day

Eddie DaRosa

2006 Derby Champion