Home Run Derby 2009 Winner

Home Run Derby does not, cannot, will not change or alter in the least that overriding fact. A lot of people thought, or at least wished, that Pujols would win the Derby on Monday night, for some very reasonable reasons. On the side of accomplishment, Pujols is having the best year of an already incredible career. On the side of sentiment, the All-Star festivities are in St. Louis. What better place for Pujols to win everything in sight? And he was the center of the Derby proceedings at Busch Stadium, well before he came to the plate and began to swing for the fences.

There was a certain kind of momentum building toward a Pujols victory in an event that has come to rival the All-Star Game itself in popularity. In modest ceremonies before the game began, Pujols was acknowledged as the leading vote-getter among all All-Stars. He was recognized as the National League's Player of the Month for June. He was given an ovation at every turn. When Nelson Cruz of the Rangers finished his first round of the Derby with an impressive 11 homers, he was asked to comment and he responded:

It was all Pujols, all the time. The crowd of 45,981 was more than supportive, probably closer to adoring. Pujols, in fact, was a dominant topic at the player-interview sessions, even with other players. The run production of Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder would have been good enough to make him a starter at any other position in either league. But he couldn't start in this All-Star Game, because Pujols is not merely an All-Star, but a transcendent figure. And Fielder is fine with that.