MLB never gets it right

PHOENIX – I don’t like the Home Run Derby. I don’t watch the Home Run Derby. I don’t care about the Home Run Derby.

Yet it still frustrates me to see how Major League Baseball butchered the decision to not put Justin Upton in the Home Run Derby.

Look at this bomb Upton hit into the TGIF porch — oh wait, you can’t because MLB doesn’t like self promoting its product on You Tube.

Upton is one of the young, up and coming stars in the game. He has improved tremendously at the plate this season and has the ability to hit jaw-dropping home runs like the one I wanted to show you, but can’t.

All-Star games are about the fans and creating a buzz around your sport.

Upton participating would help generate interest in a Diamondbacks team that is already starting to get some juice. But for the superficial, mini-Los Angeles type place that Arizona is it would have helped create more buzz.

I don’t blame Prince Fielder, the captain of the NL Home Run Derby team, for picking who he did.

The blame falls on Bud Selig. All Bud needed to do was give Prince a call and say make one of your picks Justin Upton.

Fielder still could have picked his teammate Rickie Weeks.

Matt Kemp deserved to be in the Home Run Derby.

Why the hell is Matt Holliday in the contest?

Holliday is a really good, borderline great MLB player, but he is 31 years old and isn’t someone MLB can build its brand around.

Major League Baseball had the opportunity to make this Justin Upton’s weekend.

Major League Baseball could have shown off one of its great young stars to the rest of the country that doesn’t get the opportunity to see Upton on a consistent basis.

Major League Baseball blew it and it really makes you wonder if they will ever get it.

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