After expressing interest in a Home Run Derby bid earlier this month, Gunnar Henderson became the first confirmed participant in the 2024 Derby after his announcement on Sunday Night Baseball. As Paul highlighted in yesterday’s Bird Droppings, Orioles shortstops and Home Run Derbies are usually a dynamic combination—with Miguel Tejada the most recent O’s Derby winner 20 years ago, and Cal Ripken Jr. taking home the homer hardware in 1991.
However, that history won’t stop some fans from allowing worry to creep into their minds, concerned that Gunnar’s Derby debut could prove a bad omen for his production in the second half.