It's Derby Time!

Everyone's favorite contest featuring Chris Berman repeating, "Back, back, back, back, back..." 90 times in a single broadcast returns tomorrow night. I like the Home Run Derby, but it seems to have lost a bit of its luster since I was a kid. It would be much more fun if they billed it more like the Kentucky Derby, so I got your PP's right here:

1. Justin Morneau, 23 HR. Derby Rookie. He's got 18 of those homers at night, but I have no idea how many of those were indoors at the Metrodome. Morneau is hot, he hit three homers on Saturday and the pitchers on Monday night will be about as good as White Sox staff. ODDS: 4:1.
   
2. Albert Pujols, 16 HR. 2nd Derby (2003). Albert's last home run was on June 14 if you can believe it. Here's the deal though: Al's total of 26 HR in 2003 has been topped only twice, by Miguel Tejada (27 in 2004) and Bobby Abreu (41 in 2005). My favorite. ODDS: 2:1.
   
3. Ryan Howard, 21 HR. Defending Champion. Not throwing up MVP numbers again, but he won it last year. The safe bet; I would throw him in an Exacta. ODDS: 2.5:1.
   
4. Vladimir Guerrero, 14 HR. 2nd Derby (2000). Vlad hasn't hit one out since June 23rd. His tendency to swing at anything within the same zip code of home plate will work against him. ODDS: 5:1.
   
5. Prince Fielder, 29 HR. Derby Rookie. Prince could get a lot of balls wet at AT&T Park. Problem is, I see him hitting 20 in the first round and 7 the rest of the way. Still a favorite. ODDS: 3:1.
   
6. Magglio Ordonez, 13 HR. Derby Rookie. Magglio's last bomb? June 2nd. Hope he brings a camcorder because he'll have plenty of time on his hands. ODDS: 8:1.
   
7. Alex Rios, 17 HR. Derby Rookie. Thrown in due to the late scratch of Miguel Cabrera. Rios is just happy to be there, and hasn't hit a homer since June 25. This is your Barbaro should you not like money. ODDS: 17:1.
   
8. There should be an eighth, but as far as I can tell there isn't. Maybe they are saving a spot for someone...

Make sure you tune in after the Derby for the series premiere of "The Bronx is Burning." Or screw a #2 pencil into your eardrum. Your choice.