Home run leader Chris Davis ready for Derby

By Josh Land

Orioles

July 09, 2013, 12:52pm

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Hearing that Chris Davis was selected for the 2013 Home Run Derby was about as surprising as hearing that he hit another home run. Davis happily obliged when he was asked to participate by American League Home Run Derby captain Robinson Cano. Going into tonight's games, Davis is leading the majors with 33 home runs, five more than No. 2 on the list, Miguel Cabrera. If those 33 home runs aren't enough to convince you that he belongs, consider this: He broke the Orioles' record for most home runs before the All-Star break on June 30, more than two weeks before the break. With six more games left until the Midsummer Classic, the only players in history to have more homers than Davis before the break are Barry Bonds, Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire, Luis Gonzalez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Howard. He is homering every 9.8 at-bats. The next-best ratio this season belongs to Raul Ibanez, who's hitting one every 11.5 at-bats. Still not convinced? Just watch this video of him smacking a home run with a broken bat last season.

Enough said. For Davis' reaction to being picked for the event, click here.