Derby King: A Prince

ST. LOUIS – The crowd at Busch Stadium celebrated hometown All-Star Albert Pujols and serenaded homegrown standout Ryan Howard, but by the end of the night, their applause were fit for a…prince.

Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder edged a field that included favorites Pujols and Howard and surprise runner-up, Texas’ Nelson Cruz en route to being crowned king of the Home Run Derby. Fielder outslugged Cruz 6-5 in the finals, taking home the title before the St. Louis faithful, who hoped it would go to one of their own.

“This is Albert's stadium and Ryan is from here," Fielder said. "I was just happy I was able to put on a show and I'm glad I won."

Pujols, St. Louis’ powerful first baseman who leads the majors with 32 homers at the break, and Howard, Philadelphia’s big bopping first baseman who grew up in the Gateway City and won the event in Pittsburgh in 2006, were eliminated in the second round. With the hometown sluggers out early, Fielder won the derby with a steady power display, highlighted by one jaw-dropping blast, estimated at 503 feet.

Fielder, the son of former big league slugger Cecil, became the youngest player to hit 50 homers in 2007 at age 23. But that season, he was eliminated in the first round of the derby in San Francisco.

He maintained a similar approach Monday night, but the result was far different. “I’m not quite sure about my mechanics. I just know I have to swing hard,” said Fielder, who became the first Brewer to win the derby. “In high school, a lot of people told me to swing easier and everything, but I just don’t know how to do that.

“I knew what to expect this time so I was a little more relaxed,” he added. “I think it’s very competitive. I don’t think (any) of the guys would be here if they weren’t. But it’s fun at the same time.”

With three outs left in the final round, Fielder parked one onto the grassy hill in center field for the victory. Fielder started out using a bat that belonged to injured Milwaukee teammate Rickie Weeks, then switched to fellow All-Star and teammate Ryan Braun’s stick.

Fielder finished with the most home runs in the contest, connecting on 23 for the evening, including the four longest shots of the night. Fielder and Cruz both made their major league debuts in 2005 with the Brewers. Each has 22 home runs this year.

Fielder stole the spotlight from the hometown sluggers and the first-timer Cruz. The Texas Rangers slugger is enjoying a breakout season. The Dominican-born Cruz was a late addition to the All-Star roster because of an injury to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.

Unfazed by his first crack in the derby, Cruz set the pace in the final round, smashing five homers in nearly capturing the title. Other than Fielder’s mammoth blast, Cruz had the second most jaw-dropping home run. In the first round, Cruz hit a drive into the fourth deck in left field – a feat never accomplished during a game in the four-year history of the new Busch Stadium.

The derby served as a nice warm up to the Midsummer Classic. Toronto’s Roy Halladay will take the hill Tuesday night for the American League, opposing reigning National League Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum. The AL has won 12 straight All-Star games.