The Final Score

Alex Rodriguez told reporters last night that he'll skip the Home Run Derby at the Yankee Stadium All-Star Game because it can have an adverse effect on a batter's mechanics.

I plan on asking my own mechanics, the Klis Brothers, to see if this is true.

But seriously, folks, more power to him. A-Rod is in a league of his own and, anyway, the current version of Home Run Derby is silly and the rules are incomprehensible.

I think I'll pop in one of my 1960 Home Run Derby DVDs and and watch Mark Scott interview Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays about just missing that $500 bonus check while Bob Allison is hitting baseballs out of LA's version of Wrigley Field.

In a related story, I re-watched "A League of Their Own" last night and Madonna's character, All-The-Way Mae Mordabito, did not participate in the AAGPL home run derby, either.