Home Run Derby 2011: A Father-Son Story

With the Fish riding into the All-Star break with a season-best five game winning streak, Marlins fans will be able to savor these few days after an up and down start to 2011.

PHEONIX, AZ– Imagine heading to the park after dinner with dad to bat some baseballs around. Think about heading out with him to chase  down every last one  you hit, bringing them back to the the little patch of dirt that’s supposed to represent the pitcher’s mound, then starting all over again.

You and dad, one-on-one, out on the field together.

Many baseball fans have these fond memories safely tucked away, having spent much of their little league careers practicing with dad.

Imagine that same exchange with your father, but this time in front of over 40,000 people including the games greatest players, and broadcasted nationally to millions more on baseball’s biggest stage.

Now imagine setting a world-record in the final round to win it!

Wow.

ESPN pundits and seam-heads around the country didn’t give Cano, who plays a traditionally light-hitting position, much of a chance.

With his father Jose tossing fastballs over the inner-half of the plate, Robbie had more than a chance.

Jose Cano, a former pitcher for the Houston Astros, did his best impersonation of the current Astros pitching staff by serving up dingers hand-over-fist to his son.

The elder Cano spent the entire competition without cracking a smile until the tying bomb was hit.

As the final blast lifted towards the left field bleachers and Chase field pool, father and son both flashed smiles that could have powered all of downtown Arizona for days.

In the end, the best home run hitters in the game proved no match for a father throwing balls to his son at the park.

It was announced Monday that Philadelphia Phillies RHP Roy Halladay will start for the Senior Circuit, with Los Angeles of Angels RHP Jered Weaver taking the ball for the A.L. squad.

*Here’s a look at a great week of entertainment:  HP7 and the MLB All-Star Game.