After missing most of June with a strained muscle in his side, Albert Pujols decided he wouldn't miss the Home Run Derby if he didn't participate.
MLB.com reported Thursday that the St. Louis Cardinals slugger has withdrawn from the contest slated to take place Monday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. He made the decision following Thursday night's loss to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
"I'm not going," Pujols told the site. "I think my [health] is more important than trying to hit some balls out of the park."
Pujols was edged in the final round of the 2003 Derby by Garret Anderson at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. That was his only appearance in the event.
Albert Pujols
First Base
St. Louis Cardinals
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
67 28 73 60 .438 .315
Pujols, who is hitting .315 with 28 home runs and 73 RBI, said he didn't want to risk reinjuring himself just as he's hitting his stride.
"I've been feeling good since I came off the DL or I wouldn't be playing," Pujols said. "That's for sure."
Pujols' opponent last night, Astros outfielder Lance Berkman, confirmed that he will take part in the Derby.
"It certainly adds some stress to the week because it's just another opportunity to mess up in front of a whole lot of people," Berkman told MLB.com. "But it's fun, too. The only All-Star Game that I've been to where I wasn't in the Derby was my first one, and that was kind of cool because I was a young guy. But now, I think it would be hard to watch a Home Run Derby. I'd want to get in there and take my hacks anyway."
Lance Berkman
First Base
Houston Astros
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
80 24 76 47 .404 .316
In his home park, Berkman lost in the finals of the 2004 event, to Baltimore's Miguel Tejada. Berkman came in last in 2002 with just one home run. The switch-hitter will reportedly bat right-handed in this year's event so he doesn't disturb his timing from the left side. Last year's winner, Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu, struggled to homer in the second half of the season after hitting a record 41 homers in last year's contest.
David Wright of the New York Mets, Ryan Howard of Philadelphia, David Ortiz of Boston, Troy Glaus of Toronto and Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox have also confirmed their participation. Milwaukee's Carlos Lee withdrew because of a sore hand.
Tejada of Baltimore and and Miguel Cabrera of Florida are the final two Home Run Derby participants.
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