Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun will participate in the 2008 State Fair Home Run Derby tonight at Yankee Stadium. The event, a highlight of Workout Day before the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, will be televised on ESPN.

According to the folks at bodoglife.com, Braun's odds of winning the Derby are 6/1. If he wins, he'll have to share some of the credit with his agent, Nez Balelo. Not only did Balelo help Braun sign a deal that could be worth $50 million, he's pitching to his client in the Derby. Balelo, who once played in Seattle's minor-league system, often throws to Braun in the off-season as well. 

Here is a look at the complete odds, followed by a quiz and a short essay on the Derby itself.

Odds to win the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby
Josh Hamilton (TEX)........................3/1
Lance Berkman (HOU).....................7/2
Chase Utley (PHI)...........................5/1
Justin Morneau (MIN)......................5/1
Dan Uggla (FLA)............................6/1
Ryan Braun (MIL)...........................6/1
Grady Sizemore (CLE)................. 13/2
Evan Longoria (TB)........................7/1

Quiz: What do you notice about the field of competitors?

For starters, there are no "superstars." The Home Run Derby used to pit big-name players like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. (Insert steroid comment here).

Though none of the eight players seems miscast on the national stage, they aren't exactly household names. Doesn't it seem ridiculous that the game is being held at Yankee Stadium, which will be replaced by a glittering new facility next year, and there are no Yankees represented? There aren't even any Mets!

I don't blame Alex Rodriguez for bowing out. He's been under quite a bit of duress lately and he hasn't fared that well in past Derby appearances, anyway.

My fear is that the Home Run Derby is spiraling down the same drain that consumed the NBA's Slam Dunk contest. The star players decide it isn't worth their time. The lesser players compete. The fans lose interest in the whole thing.

Aside from beefing up the roster of participants, Major League Baseball needs to do what it can to shorten the rounds and freshen the competition. Maybe they should let home run totals from all three rounds count toward the final score, eliminating the all-to-common scenario when one player binges in the second round and turns into a noodle in the final.