Have you selected your favorite slugger to win the home run derby (actually called the 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby) during the Gatorade All Star Workout Break? Then there’s the Taco Bell Legends and Celebrities Softball game. Oh, how the advertising dollars rule.

The 80th Major League Baseball All-star game will be played on July 14, 2009, in St. Louis. MLB and Mastercard Worldwide (Yes, you’ll see a ton of those commercials next week) announced that Stand Up To Cancer will receive $1,000,000 the first time a home run smacks a “Hit It Here” sign in the park. They’ll make the donation for the home run derby and the all-star game if a sign is struck. In previous years, fans took home the cash. At least the money is going to a charity this year.

Josh Hamilton was my pick to win the home run derby last year. He should have one, but he gave his 70-year-old pitcher friend a breather after ripping 18 homers in the first round, and was passed up for first place.

-Bob Hammerstrom

Tags: 2009, all, Baseball, blog, bob hammerstrom, break, derby, farm, game, hamilton, home, Jason Bay, josh, league, major, MLB, run, slugger, sports, stars, state