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Pujols says he'll only compete in Derby if selected to All-Star team

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Albert Pujols wants to give the fans what they want. The rest is out of his hands.

Pujols, who entered Tuesday with an American League-leading 23 homers, says he'd like to participate in the Home Run Derby this year, provided he's asked and already in Cincinnati for the July 14 main event.

"Like I told you last year, I won't do it if I'm not at the (All-Star) Game," he told MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez on Monday. "If that happens, I think I'm all for it. I'll give it a shot."

The Los Angeles Angels slugger is making a strong push for his first All-Star selection since 2010 after a resurgent June that's included a .305/.400/.726 slash line and 12 homers in 26 games.

He's competed in the event on three previous occasions, but says he'd like to do it again so his two sons can experience the spectacle with him one final time.

"I think it would be the last one," he said.

Pujols will have to rely on his peers and American League manager Ned Yost if he's to secure his 10th All-Star appearance. The 35-year-old ranks a distant fifth in fan voting for first basemen, though he figures to garner plenty of support from players and managers when the reserves are announced Monday.

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