Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Home Run Derby champ wins right to choose who has home-ice advantage in next year's Stanley Cup Finals

Above: Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees holds up the Stanley Cup after winning MLB's Home Run Derby at the All-Star festivities in Phoenix, AZ last night. Cano won a cash prize and the right to choose which NHL team will get home-ice advantage in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. "Right now I'm just enjoying this derby win," said Cano, sporting a big smile and hugging Lord Stanley's oversized silver trophy. "I haven't even thought about the Stanley Cup Finals. But, I won't lie, it's been a dream of mine to determine which NHL club will get to play four out of seven games in their home arena should the series go that far. It really is a dream come true." Cano will also get to take the Stanley Cup home for the remainder of the All-Star break. MLB commissioner Bud Selig wanted to add some meaning to the Home Run Derby and approached NHL commissioner Gary Bettman with the idea about two months ago. "Gary [Bettman] was very receptive to the concept of having some of our best power hitters determine the scheduling of his sport's showcase event ... and now we have a derby that actually has a tiny little bit of significance," said Selig.

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