Hamilton loses, but steals the derby show
Years from now, when the 2008 All-Star Home Derby is remembered, Justin Morneau's name will just be a footnote.
Sure, the Twins first baseman won. But the stars of the night were Josh Hamilton, with his tape-measure moon shots, and venerable Yankee Stadium, where so many memorable home runs have been hit.
With Reggie Jackson on the field with the players, it was a perfect backdrop to one of the great stories in baseball. As Hamilton hit home runs that almost sailed out of the stadium itself, it was easy to picture where Jackson's sailed a generation ago and where Roger Maris' 61st landed in 1961. Baseball thrives on its nostalgia more than any sport, and Yankee Stadium is its cathedral.
Hamilton, a reformed drug addict who is emerging as the best power hitter in baseball, hit an incredible 28 home runs in the first round, a record. With 8 outs, he hit an astounding 13 home runs in a row on 13 swings, and it seemed all of them traveled 450 feet or more. That streak also was 16 of 17, 20 of 22 and 22 of 25. Considering Hamilton's background, it's almost too good to be true. Even though he faltered in the final round, which gave the derby an anticlimactic ending, his night will be all anybody remembers.
"I was lucky that we got reset," Morneau told the Associated Press. "This was his show. He deserved to win it. That was one of the best performances I've ever seen. ... Anyone who was here won't forget that performance."
Funny how those who go on a tear in the first round are almost at a disadvantage. Most homers in first round since 1995 (when current format was adopted):
- 28 - Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 2008 (finished second)
- 24 - Bobby Abreu, Phillies, 2005 (won title)
- 17 - David Ortiz, Red Sox, 2005 (out in semifinals)
- 16 - David Wright, Mets, 2006 (finished second)
- 14 - Jason Giambi, A's, 2001 (out in semifinals)
- 13 - Mark McGwire, Cardinals, 1999 (out in semifinals)
2008 All-Star Home Run Derby
- Justin Morneau, Twins 8-9 -- 5 in finals
- Josh Hamilton, Rangers 28-4 - 3 in finals
- Ryan Braun, Brewers 7-7
- Lance Berkman, Astros 8-6
- Dan Uggla, Marlins 6-x
- Grady Sizemore, Indians 6-x
- Chase Utley, Phillies 5-x
- Evan Longoria, Rays 3-x
Comments
Josh has proved that even crack heads can come back if they apply themselves.He is my newest baseball hero,as well as a hero to all the other crack heads who used to be somebody.You can come back with gods help!All you have to do is dream..and ask for help..
Yes, Hamilton’s story is inspirational. I hope others at the bottom of their game may profit by it. But it will be intersting to see how the derby affects Hamilton and Morneau’s numbers in the weeks to come. Vlad Guerrero, as last years winner, could have competed. He opted not to because he hit zero out in regular season play for nearly a month after the derby.