Report: Albert Pujols open to final Home Run Derby appearance

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols would welcome the opportunity to participate in this year's Gillette Home Run Derby if voted into the All-Star Game, according to a report by MLB.com.

Added the nine-time All-Star, "I think it would be the last one."

Pujols, who leads the American League with 23 home runs, has participated in the event on three occasions, most recently in 2009. His best result came in 2003 at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field, where he finished second to former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson.

Pujols wants one last go-around at the home run competition so that his sons, A.J. and Ezra, can watch him, per MLB.com.

The three-time NL MVP insisted, however, that he would only participate if invited.

"Like I told you last year, I won't do it if I'm not at the [All-Star] Game," he told MLB.com.

MLB has overhauled its Home Run Derby format for this year's All-Star festivities, switching to a more streamlined approach that features brackets and timed rounds. The eight-person contest will be in the style of a single-elimination tournament in which there is no out limit and the loser of each bracket is immediately knocked out.

The competition will be July 13 at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park, site of this year's All-Star Game.