Something to think about ahead of Home Run Derby

The Home Run Derby is the MLB All-Star break's signature event, sometimes outshining the All-Star Game itself.

But fans of participating sluggers often take pause, fearful of the perceived post-Derby slump.

Thirty of the 40 Derby participants from 2007-11 saw their home run pace fall once the regular season resumed, according to MLB.com. Extreme examples of the post-Derby blues include Josh Hamilton, who hit 21 home runs and drove in 95 in the first half of 2008. After winning the Home Run Derby, however, he recorded just 11 bombs and 35 RBI in the second half.

Looking back to last season, Adrian Gonzalez hit .354 with 17 homers and 77 RBI for Red Sox in the first half However, after theDerby, he only hit 10 blasts with 40 RBI as the Red Sox collapsed and missed the playoffs.

But this year's contestants aren't worried about the history that precedes them.

"With my swing, there's nothing that can really change," Pirates' center fielder Andrew McCutchen told MLB.com.