Prince Fielder was nothing shy of amazing last night in the 2012 Home Run Derby. After a mediocre first round, Fielder turned it on and proved by far that he was the best long ball hitter competing. It was clear midway through the final round that Bautista would not stand a chance. It was an extraordinary showing by Fielder. But at the end of the night you could not help but notice the one fact that was staring you straight in the face.
Fact is: baseball is now in the post-steroid era. Don't get me wrong, hats off to the eight participants and the other players that could have stood up there and belted out homers. I sat there watching and wondering, who else could be in the derby this year? Who else is having a great power year? Who else is deserving to be at the plate right now? Truth is for the first time in many years those questions were asked. For years there has been so many power hitters that you wished there were more slots for the derby. Most years you could have just rambled off about six or seven other guys that should be in it. This year not so much, sure there are a few other players that could have done it but it is not like you could have doubled the field. For this though, I commend baseball.
Commentators have been dubbing this the year of the pitcher, they could not be more wrong. Simply it is the post-steroid era. This is the time for the records to stand taller, and the current players to work harder. This is the time where baseball gets its honesty back. This is the time for baseball to become America's past time once again.
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