Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista celebrates after hitting a home run during the eigth inning of American league baseball action against Minnesota Twins' Ron Mahay in Toronto on Thursday, July 8, 2010.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista was snubbed in favour of New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher for the American League's final spot in Monday's home run derby.
Major League Baseball announced the decision Saturday evening, leaving Bautista out in the cold even though he began the day leading the majors in home runs. He added to that total with his 24th of the season in a 9-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Swisher joins Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz and Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera as the AL representatives in the annual power show. A spot opened up last week when Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano pulled out, leading some to lobby for Bautista's inclusion.
"I love the support. A lot of people have been voicing their displeasure with me not even being asked," Bautista said before Swisher's participation was announced, adding that he was "a little bit" surprised to not have been invited.
"It's nothing I can control, just sit here and wait until they give me a call."
Both Ortiz and Wells felt Bautista deserved the spot.
"The guy that I'm really worried about is not even in the derby - Bautista, man," Ortiz told MLB.com on Friday, calling it a joke that Bautista hadn't been asked. "Come on, man. How is he not in the derby? You need to start a campaign about him being in the derby. ... He has to be there - he's the leader. I don't care, have two Blue Jays in there.
"If he wants to be in, he has to be in - I don't care what anybody says."
Wells felt Bautista would be great for the fans.
"I'd love to see him do it," he said Saturday. "I obviously know he can hit the ball a long way, it'd be fun to see him on that stage."
Wells, meanwhile, is looking forward to his derby debut, and has yet to settle on who will pitch to him Monday.
"Possibly (catcher and fellow all-star) John Buck," he said with a grin. "I'm going to give him a shot in the cage, see what he's featuring."
Asked what he's looking for from his pitcher, Wells replied: "Something straight, not too firm, a lot of strikes, I don't plan on taking too many pitches. No breaking balls, don't try to get me out. And up and middle in."
As for preparing for the event, Wells said he hasn't spoken to others about their experiences, but feels as ready as he can be.
"I know what it's going to be like, I'm going to be nervous," he said. "I did it once before in A-ball and I was nervous in A-ball, I can't imagine what I'm going to feel when I get up there."
Florida's Hanley Ramirez, Matt Holliday of the Cardinals, Milwaukee's Corey Hart and Arizona's Chris Young will swing for the National League.