Baseball for the Thinking Fan

Login | Register | Feedback

btf_logo
You are here > Home > Baseball Newsstand > Baseball Primer Newsblog > Discussion
Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Monday, July 14, 2008

Josh Hamilton hits record 28 first-round HRs, but Morneau wins Derby

AWESOME!

Josh Hamilton dreamed it. Now he’s done it.

With a dazzling display of power Monday night, the Texas Rangers slugger hit a record 28 homers in the first round of the All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium before he was beaten out by Minnesota’s Justin Morneau in the finals.

...With the crowd of 53,716 chanting his name, undoubtedly warmed by his improbable journey to stardom, Hamilton connected on 13 consecutive cuts before falling short of the fences on his final two.

“I got chills,” he said.

With his smooth left-handed swing and jaw-dropping power, Hamilton seemed a natural choice to take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch. But he cleared the fences with ease, hitting three shots farther than 500 feet — including his longest of 512.

Repoz Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:26 PM | 159 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralMinnesotaTexasAwards

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 1 of 2 pages  1 2 >
   1. Dedicated to Esoteric but he wasn't listening  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:40 PM (#2856586)
Justin Morneau winning the HR Derby is like the Pittsburgh Pirates winning the 1960 World Series.
   2. Marcel  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:41 PM (#2856589)
I'll be honest, normally I think the best part of the derby is that Erin Andrews in on screen like every 5 minutes. But Hamilton's show in the first round was jaw dropping. There were a couple that I swore were going to go right out of the stadium.

Also, for the flack he gets for being a dick, Milton Bradley sure seems to be a pretty good teammate. Another case of a player that just doesn't get along with the media...?
   3. Craig K  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:42 PM (#2856591)
Too bad he didn't actually take one out.

Has anyone calculated the distance needed to actually hit one out?
   4. Templeusox has reached his genetic threshold  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:43 PM (#2856592)
Buzzkill Morneau strikes again. Oh well. Good show. I guess the atheists win in the end.
   5. Hang down your head, Tom Foley  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:45 PM (#2856595)
Hamilton is A-Rod. Morneau is Jeter.
   6. McGwire's Silence (Sowers the Seed of Love)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:47 PM (#2856599)
Once again, Morneau wins when nobody really thinks he should have...
   7. STEROIDS!!!!!  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:48 PM (#2856601)
Is there any reason at all why the HR derby needs to consist of multiple "rounds?" It seems to me that the dude who hit 28 dongs should win, and the fact that he didn't win because he hit less his third time up or whatever is silly. Why not just have one round? If you're worried it would be too short (it wouldn't be,) invite more players.
   8. Justin T  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:48 PM (#2856602)
I think if anyone catches Bradley at the wrong time, he can go off. He's kind of like a movie character that the plot makes you root for and just when you think it's all coming together, he'll screw it up for some dumb reason. Then has to win trust back before performing his heroic task to end the show.

Too bad that Hamilton didn't win the thing. Hitting 28 bombs in the first round is sure to sap some energy though. All those ones he hit with 8 outs in the first round, his swing was so fluid and easy. But that was already completely gone when he took those few second round hacks.

With the next couple games in St. Louis and Anaheim there doesn't appear to be a classic derby on the horizon as neither of those yards have any landmarks to gun for that I can think of. Wrigley needs to get a game.
   9. Bruce Markusen  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:50 PM (#2856604)
What did people think of Reilly's commentary? I didn't watch much of the Derby, but over at Bronx Banter, they weren't too pleased with Reilly.
   10. BaseballDIY  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:50 PM (#2856605)
I think a big story has been overlooked: This is the last Legends and Celebrity Softball Challenge Classic Showdown in Yankee Stadium.
   11. Matt Clement of Alexandria  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:53 PM (#2856609)
That was awesome.
   12. Repoz  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:53 PM (#2856610)
Couple of things...

Can't remember someone crushing the ball off the back wall at Yankee Stadium.

King Karl Ravech said he was going with the veteran Ryan Braun to win the HR contest.

Gammo said he really digs 3 Dours Down.

Erin Andrews has a near-witch nose and should have a NO HD clause written into her contract.
   13. Vegas Watch  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:53 PM (#2856611)
What did people think of Reilly's commentary?


He is truly awful. He's not clever, he takes forever to get to what he's trying to say, and he adds absolutely nothing to the broadcast. That would be my assessment. At least he's cheap.
   14. Templeusox has reached his genetic threshold  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:53 PM (#2856612)
What did people think of Reilly's commentary? I didn't watch much of the Derby, but over at Bronx Banter, they weren't too pleased with Reilly.
He said some things where I'm sure the producer in the truck was yelling in Ravech's ear, "CHANGE THE SUBJECT! CHANGE THE SUBJECT!" At first I thought he was a little too outspoken, but then I realized that I have been somewhat brainwashed by ESPN to expect and crave shallow, passably amusing commentary as the norm. He brought up race at a point where I didn't see it coming. Props to him for that.
   15. Mr2bits  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:56 PM (#2856616)
Wrigley needs to get a game.


I'm getting old I guess. I remember the 1990 game like it was yesterday.
   16. Justin T  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:56 PM (#2856618)
What did people think of Reilly's commentary? I didn't watch much of the Derby, but over at Bronx Banter, they weren't too pleased with Reilly.

Reilly was Reilly. Meaning he was a superdouche. Within the first few minutes he used up his "Who needs steroids?" line and then later ####### that it was all white players. It was pointed out that Guerrero was invited back but declined for health reasons, but it didn't dissuade him from asserting that the derby was racist. Another data point for him was that Ryan Howard wasn't involved. It was pointed out that the only time a player has been in the derby while not in the AS game has been to defend his title. And Reilly thought it pertinent that Howard won a couple years ago, which somehow means he has a title to defend in his pea-sized brain.
   17. Craig K  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:58 PM (#2856620)
Who was the one that said "no atheists here!" Was that Reilly, too?
   18. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 10:59 PM (#2856624)
What did people think of Reilly's commentary? I didn't watch much of the Derby, but over at Bronx Banter, they weren't too pleased with Reilly.
Reilly also said that it was a lousy night to be an atheist, because Hamilton turned to Christianity in turning his life around.

If he'd said "Jew" or "Muslim" instead of atheist, his career would be over.
   19. Templeusox has reached his genetic threshold  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:01 PM (#2856626)
I also felt like there was an annoying amount of golf references in the broadcast. And lets please not let Reilly overshadow Berman's suck.
   20. McGwire's Silence (Sowers the Seed of Love)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:01 PM (#2856627)
I thought it was "it's a bad night to be an atheist."
   21. Mr2bits  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:04 PM (#2856632)
Who was the one that said "no atheists here!" Was that Reilly, too?


I normally laugh when athletes give all the praise to God....But if Jesus is the difference between Hamilton slowly (or quickly) killing himself, then i'll gladly make an exception.
   22. Craig K  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:04 PM (#2856633)
I thought it was "it's a bad night to be an atheist."
Page 1 of 1 pages


I just heard the word "atheist" and thought it was a tastless joke.
   23. Boots Day  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:06 PM (#2856634)
It would have been funny if Ryan Braun had come back to win, then said, "Take that, Jesus."
   24. Templeusox has reached his genetic threshold  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:08 PM (#2856636)
I appreciated Utley cursing off the NY fans.

Link
   25. Craig K  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:09 PM (#2856637)
On another note, if you gave Reggie Jackson a bat tonight (with time to warm up and take BP, of course) could he hit one out, even at 62?

What baseball players would you bet on to hit one out in their 60's?
   26. Mr2bits  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:09 PM (#2856640)
As it relates to Hamilton and atheism...Are there any quotes to suggest that he was athiest prior to his recovery?
   27. Vaux, A.B.D.  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:10 PM (#2856641)
Why does this Jesus guy have to hog all the attention all the time? He's worse than Bonds and A-Rod put together.
   28. PASTE is not impressed by Albert Pujols (Zeth)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:11 PM (#2856642)
Is there any reason at all why the HR derby needs to consist of multiple "rounds?" It seems to me that the dude who hit 28 dongs should win, and the fact that he didn't win because he hit less his third time up or whatever is silly. Why not just have one round?


Here I go stirring the pot, but it strikes me how similar this argument is to another one:

Is there any reason at all why the world championship needs to be decided by multiple "rounds?" It seems to me that the team that won 101 games should win, and the fact that they didn't win because they won less in a 7 game series or whatever is silly. Why not just have one round (the 162 game season)?

Of course, in that example there's an obvious answer to that initial question, is there any reason: Yes, there is. Fans like it better. It makes more money. Whether the same reasoning applies to the home run derby setup... I don't know.
   29. Mr2bits  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:13 PM (#2856643)
Here I go stirring the pot, but it strikes me how similar this argument is to another one:


The World Series is not, nor is it advertised as, an exhibition.
   30. Craig K  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:17 PM (#2856648)
I normally laugh when athletes give all the praise to God....But if Jesus is the difference between Hamilton slowly (or quickly) killing himself, then i'll gladly make an exception.

Yep. It's got it Fred Phelpses and Jerry Fallwells, but religion is a great thing because of how it helps people like Josh.
   31. 1k5v3L, Useless  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:18 PM (#2856649)
The Red Sox and Yankees are lucky the Rays GM was a moron for failing to protect Hamilton.

Only a bunch of miserable pathetic #### would boo Utley
   32. Justin T  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:19 PM (#2856650)
I appreciated Utley cursing off the NY fans.

I told my friend I was on the phone with shortly after Utley's "F You" that this was already the best HR Derby ever because of it. ESPN was real good with the censor for the rest of the night, killing sound when a guy would say "####!" when he took a bad swing.
   33. Miss Remember  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:20 PM (#2856652)

The Red Sox and Yankees are lucky the Rays GM was a moron for failing to protect Hamilton.


Usually it's kinda BS but if there's ever been a "needed a change of scenery" case it'd be Hamilton.
   34. McGwire's Silence (Sowers the Seed of Love)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:20 PM (#2856653)
Oh it was a lame joke, in an evening chock full of witless repartee. The words just seared into my mind. I also cringed a bit when Joe Morgan commented on one of Grady Sizemore's longer homers, noting that Sizemore seemed to really labor to get anything on the swing. A moment of silence followed, and then the crew talked of how hard he hit it. And Chris Berman should really be removed from working baseball telecasts. Still and all, I really enjoyed this one. Hamilton is just a monster. And the comment that he used to go to the batting cage when he was still a junkie was somehow really moving to me.
   35. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:21 PM (#2856655)
Only a bunch of miserable pathetic #### would boo Utley
Mets fans.
   36. Charter Member of the Jesus Melendez Fanclub  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:22 PM (#2856656)
Has anyone calculated the distance needed to actually hit one out?

Why not just make one up, like ESPN did all night?

What did people think of Reilly's commentary? I didn't watch much of the Derby, but over at Bronx Banter, they weren't too pleased with Reilly.

I was listening to Thelonious Monk instead of the tv audio, but I was quite pleased when Reilly left Sports Illustrated, so I'll assume he sucked.

if you gave Reggie Jackson a bat tonight could he hit one out, even at 62?

Yes.
   37. 1k5v3L, Useless  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:23 PM (#2856658)
Usually it's kinda BS but if there's ever been a "needed a change of scenery" case it'd be Hamilton.
Oh, quite likely. Still, doesn't excuse the Rays GM for not protecting him.
   38. Lassus  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:25 PM (#2856660)
What did people think of Reilly's commentary?

I also had the sound off, but imagined Charles Nelson Reilly doing commentary, and he was damned awesome.
   39. Brandon in MO (Fire Trey Hillman)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:25 PM (#2856661)
This is the last Legends and Celebrity Softball Challenge Classic Showdown in Yankee Stadium.


Will the winning team play the winning team from the Yankees Legends game?
   40. Brandon in MO (Fire Trey Hillman)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:27 PM (#2856664)
Reilly also said that it was a lousy night to be an atheist, because Hamilton turned to Christianity in turning his life around.

If he'd said "Jew" or "Muslim" instead of atheist, his career would be over.


Well, to be fair, if Hamilton was burying Shawn Green or.. um.. uh.. there aren't any Muslims in baseball, are there?
   41. McGwire's Silence (Sowers the Seed of Love)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:31 PM (#2856666)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Cubs draft Hamilton in the rule 5 and then sell him to the Reds? I thought I remembered that. Boy he'd go a long way towards solving that CF problem (tho to be fair Pie hasn't gotten much of a chance and Edmonds has been raking of late)...
   42. Craig K  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:31 PM (#2856667)
there aren't any Muslims in baseball, are there?

Just one.
   43. Hang down your head, Tom Foley  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:32 PM (#2856668)
What baseball players would you bet on to hit one out in their 60's?

If he got the right pitch, Jose Contreras probably could have when he was still in his 60's.
   44. 1k5v3L, Useless  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:33 PM (#2856670)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Cubs draft Hamilton in the rule 5 and then sell him to the Reds? I thought I remembered that. Boy he'd go a long way towards solving that CF problem (tho to be fair Pie hasn't gotten much of a chance and Edmonds has been raking of late)...
Yes, you're correct. But Lou would've never played the rookie.
   45. Ryan Jones  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:34 PM (#2856671)
The Red Sox and Yankees are lucky the Rays GM was a moron for failing to protect Hamilton.


I can't really fault a GM for not protecting a guy who had missed multiple seasons of development time due to massive drug problems, and resulting injuries. I'm sure if you asked the Cinci GM (or Chicago GM, as noted in #41), and he was in an honest mood, he would admit that there was no way that he though Hamilton would turn out so good, so quickly, as a Rule 5.
   46. Brandon in MO (Fire Trey Hillman)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:36 PM (#2856672)
They're gonna need to hold two games for a year or two to get some of the newer stadiums in.
   47. Mr2bits  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:37 PM (#2856673)
I can't really fault a GM for not protecting a guy who had missed multiple seasons of development time due to massive drug problems


In the case of the Rays, it's not so much that they failed to protect him, as it is that they did protect a few fringe major leaguers who they subsequently released just days later (drawing a blank on names)

EDIT: Damon Hollins was who I was thinking of. They protected him, and released him just days after the draft.
   48. Dedicated to Esoteric but he wasn't listening  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:40 PM (#2856676)
I can't get over what a shame it was that Morneau won the HR derby due to a silly rule change enacted a couple years ago. Nothing against Morneau - great player, wonderful guy I'm sure - but this was Hamilton's night. Those blasts....my dad, a lifelong Yankees fan (he grew up watching Mantle) called me somewhere around #11 agog with glee over the way Hamilton was bashing them out at will. He told me to watch closely, because this is the closest I'd probably ever come to understanding what it was to watch The Mick in his late '50s prime. I'll take his word on that, but even if he's wrong, it was a truly beautiful moment.
   49. As foretold by the prophesy (JFSE)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:42 PM (#2856678)
What baseball players would you bet on to hit one out in their 60's?

Julio Franco?
   50. Teheran's Uranium Enriched Missiles  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:46 PM (#2856681)
Julio Franco?

Just because he did it in his early 60s is no reason he can still do it.
   51. McGwire's Silence (Sowers the Seed of Love)  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:49 PM (#2856684)
What I want to know is what was in that suitcase!
   52. Dedicated to Esoteric but he wasn't listening  Posted: July 14, 2008 at 11:56 PM (#2856688)
Obviously it was Hamilton's soul. But Volquez didn't want to spell it out 'cause that would ruin the lovely frisson we get from speculating about it.

I wonder if Edinson is a Pulp Fiction. If was really trying to make that (fairly esoteric) reference, that would make the awesomest ASG night ever even awesomer.
   53. Booey  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:02 AM (#2856690)
It doesn't really matter that Morneau won. Everyone will remember Hamilton instead.
   54. The Clarence Thomas of BTF (scott)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:06 AM (#2856691)
the suitcase was the baseball's luggage.

that volquez/hamilton trade is insane, btw.
   55. McGwire's Silence (Sowers the Seed of Love)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:12 AM (#2856694)
It is working out wonderfully for both teams. But, for a team with such trouble running out decent pitching in the majors, it is truly baffling to see TX swap both Danks & Volquez. The west might well be theirs for the taking with those two in the rotation.
   56. greenback  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:18 AM (#2856699)
Well, to be fair, if Hamilton was burying Shawn Green or.. um.. uh.. there aren't any Muslims in baseball, are there?

Maybe the New Yorker can make one up.
   57. Harry Balsagne Teaches The Correct Way to Hit!!  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2856700)
I think it's hilarious that Morneau ended up winning--it was truly satisfying to see all of the ESPN hacks blowing their wads at the prospect of imbuing this trifle with towering dramatic grandiosity, only to see it flung back in their faces, and by a Canadian no less.

It reminds me of the 2001 World Series, when the media kept fondling the storyline of the glorious triumph of the New York Yankees over the terrorists and what it meant for America, only to have the D-Backs and their purple and teal uniforms bring the whole thing back down to earth.
   58. BrianSabeanRuinedMyChildhood  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:22 AM (#2856702)
ESPN had like 19 people commentating on the Derby, yet Reilly came through as the dumbest, loudest voice by miles.

Anybody catch the handful of 450 foot Hamilton blasts that Joe Morgan immediately called as outs? That was just delicious.
   59. Teheran's Uranium Enriched Missiles  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:24 AM (#2856704)
Maybe the New Yorker can make one up.

Surely that was just satire. They didn't have subversive motives. I mean, they said that right?! They do that to every candidate right?
   60. Random Transaction Generator  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:25 AM (#2856705)
Anybody catch the handful of 450 foot Hamilton blasts that Joe Morgan immediately called as outs? That was just delicious.

In the video on MLB.com, there is one specific one where he says "That's an out." and it landed in the upper deck.
"Well, it is a short porch in right..." was his response as his boothmates razzed him.
   61. Phil Coorey Needs To Know How To Kill A Cat  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:50 AM (#2856714)
From firejoemorgan...

It already seemed weird at the time, but now it seems even weirder that God, if He does indeed exist, would shove it in the atheists' faces by having Hamilton break Bobby Abreu's hallowed first-round record of 24 home runs (was Abreu's night also a bad night for atheists?) and then come right back and force Josh to hit only 3 taters when the contest is on the line. Questionable storytelling sense, God.

P.S. Not only did Erin Andrews snub Justin Morneau for Hamilton immediately post-Derby, but during the trophy presentation she clearly pronounces his name as "Mar-neau," Executive Vice President of MLB Rob Manfred goes with something like "Myrrh-neau," and Boys and Girls Club Giant Check Giver Guy just flat out insults him with "Jason." We get it, guys: Morneau didn't do heroin. So he's bo-ring!

The lesson, as always: it's better to do heroin and then stop doing heroin and then lose the Home Run Derby after an impressive first round than it is to not do heroin and then keep not doing heroin and then win the Home Run Derby after a pedestrian first round. Of course, I'm not telling you anything you haven't heard a thousand times already.
   62. 1k5v3L, Useless  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 12:52 AM (#2856716)
The lesson, as always: it's better to do heroin and then stop doing heroin and then lose the Home Run Derby after an impressive first round than it is to not do heroin and then keep not doing heroin and then win the Home Run Derby after a pedestrian first round. Of course, I'm not telling you anything you haven't heard a thousand times already.
Oh, get a #### clue
   63. ValueArb  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:21 AM (#2856722)
Steve Philips on baseball tonight. "Hamilton's performance was one of the greatest moments I've ever experienced in my baseball career".

IT WAS A ####### BATTING PRACTICE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   64. Monty  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:24 AM (#2856724)
Yeah! Stop enjoying things!
   65. ValueArb  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:25 AM (#2856725)
Reilly also said that it was a lousy night to be an atheist, because Hamilton turned to Christianity in turning his life around.


God rewarded him for giving his life to Christ by letting him set the Derby record.

Then God punished Hamilton for being so dumb as to believe in Christ by taking his championship away.
   66. cardsfanboy  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:27 AM (#2856726)
Oh, get a #### clue

I'll second that comment.
   67. Joshua Gibsons Ruth (Voxter)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:27 AM (#2856727)
These are the jokes.
   68. Dedicated to Esoteric but he wasn't listening  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:34 AM (#2856730)
I refuse to even engage with people trying to pooh-pooh this. Was it a transcendent world-shaking moment? No. Was it a ridiculously entertaining and impressive performance coming on the biggest stage in Major League Baseball (Yankee Stadium, All-Star Game)? Hell yes. And is Hamilton the sort of guy that you can really root for? Again, hell yes. That's really all that matters.
   69. Dave Spiwak  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:51 AM (#2856734)
Speaking as someone who's seen a few family members and friends struggle with substance abuse (as I'm sure many/most other people have), watching Hamilton crush those HRs really gave me a good feeling. It struck me as one of those transcendent sports moments-- it was like watching someone sleigh their personal demons in front of 50-thousand screaming fans. Yeah he's got a lifetime of "taking it day-by-day" ahead of him, but it was a great moment.

And still, despite my saccharine fawning over the Triumph of the Natural, I though the excerpt from firejoemorgan posted above was pretty funny.
   70. Brandon in MO (Fire Trey Hillman)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:56 AM (#2856736)
Clay Counsil just got signed by the Nationals to pitch. So it's definately a bad night for atheists
   71. Dave Spiwak  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 01:58 AM (#2856738)
the suitcase was the baseball's luggage.


ESPN's Karl Ravetch later said it was a suitcase full of cash, but then he also said Ryan Braun was a veteran. I guess he's a veteran in the sense that he's not a rookie and you are forced to be one or the other. Why does Karl Ravetch have a strange accent? He pronounces "out" like it rhymes with "boat" or "Terre Haute," but evidently he's not Canadian.
   72. shoewizard  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 02:09 AM (#2856742)
Exciting, fun, entertaining, touching, and somethng I enjoyed watching together with my son.

On another note: If you have Hamilton in a roto league: SELL!!
   73. Joshua Gibsons Ruth (Voxter)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 02:14 AM (#2856743)
Maybe Braun fought in th Boer War in a past life.
   74. frannyzoo  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 02:33 AM (#2856745)
Between watching the "Home Run Derby" and an uneventful Dodgers/Braves (or any other matchup) game in September with both teams out of it, I'll take the meaningless September game every time. HR Derby is my least favorite part of the awful three-day All-Star Break. Just keep playing the damn season already.
   75. Ozzie's gay friend  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 02:44 AM (#2856748)
Yeah, was glued to the set, really great TV, but let's not overdo it here, it was just the HR derby not the super bowl.
Morneuo did kinda get shafted at the end, but he looked like he felt guilty too.

The fact that I kept watching a telecast with Berman and Rick Reilly really, really says something too.
Erin Andrews is useless, I mean all sideline reporter are, but she's especially bad.
I kinda feel bad for her cause I've seen her at a few things, and she gets non-stop lame cat calls nonstop at all of them. Like even if she wanted to (whcich she doesn't) she couldn't be a serious reporter.

The only thing lamer than Berman, RR, and ESPNs over-gushing talking heads talking over a really great moment... all the interuption. I like Ortiz, but dude, what a jerkoff thing to do to walk out ACROSS THE DIAMOND while someone else is in the middle of their swings, there's a difference between having fun (like miggy a few years back, or the Venezualians when Abreu won, or Milton Bradley (who seems nice) tongiht) and what Ortiz did. The Yankee fans weren;t booing him because he';s a red sock, they were booing him because he was being an attention whore.
   76. Ozzie's gay friend  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 02:47 AM (#2856749)
I'll also add the softball game is usually one of my favorites--until it became "let's showcase Mike&Mike;(because these clowns don't get enought airtime?) and Kenny Mayne.
   77. MM1f  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 03:02 AM (#2856751)
IT WAS A ####### BATTING PRACTICE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know, if you gave up with your know-it-all cooler-than-thou #### you might be able to appreciate baseball once or twice. Batting practice DOES mean something, there is a reason scouts pay lots of attention to it. It is a great way to look a pure, raw talent and for a player like Hamilton to come back from everything he has gone through and showcase his pure ability on a national stage is tremendous. I think lots of people don't realize Josh Hamilton wasn't just a "typical" five-tool #1 overall pick. This was a guy several college coaches and pro scouts I have heard or have talked to call "the best high schooler I have ever seen".

I hit at the same batting range as him and met him once. A great, great guy. I don't give one #### about what people say. If you blast Hamilton for his faith, or whatever, I don't know what you can enjoy. Unfortunately, there are too many folks like that out there.
   78. Vaux, A.B.D.  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 03:16 AM (#2856752)
I really don't understand why everybody thinks Hamilton is such a great story. They shouldn't hate him; they should be glad for him. But why is it so great that a guy almost threw away his career on heroin, then didn't?
   79. frannyzoo  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 03:17 AM (#2856753)
Good thing I didn't mention the dirty fork. My dislike for the "Home Run Derby" has nothing to do with Hamilton, his faith, having faith or any "know-it-all-cooler (long section missing)....once or twice" sentiment. I just hate it and hate the All-Star Break. I'm not going to ridicule anyone who enjoys it, it's just that, for me, it sucks. Bring on Thursday!
   80. Rafael Bellylard has become a Mets fan!  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 05:16 AM (#2856759)
I think MLB should worry less about speeding up games and worry more about speeding up the Home Run Derby. Three hours is at least one hour too long.
   81. Big Red Basketball (NJ)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 05:20 AM (#2856760)
1. Rick Reilly made several cringe inducing comments, like the one about the Derby being all white guys (even though Grady Sizemore makes that whole situation confusing), and it seemed clear that the ESPN producers regretted putting him on.

2. David Ortiz said God damn a lot, ESPN censored most, but not all, of them.

3. Hanley Ramirez needs to get his kid under control.

4. I have never before watched more than 5 swings of a HR derby because I just don't think it's that interesting or cool. I watched the entire thing last night. You can poo poo the Derby and All Star Weekend all you want, but if you don't think what Hamilton did was awesome, then you don't like baseball. It wasn't so much that he hit 28 homers in the first as it was that about half of them seemed like they had a legitimate chance to leave the stadium entirely only to disappoint by bouncing off the back walls.

5. It's cool that God saved Josh, but I would imagine that if I were someone who had to be around him all the time I would be really annoyed by his need to bring up his Faith and God all the time.

6. Erin Andrews also had to read off of a card to present the award, which I thought was embarassing, and she still managed to mispronounce Rob Manfred...which really isn't that difficult a name.
   82. Gonfalon Bubble  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 05:22 AM (#2856761)
I also had the sound off, but imagined Charles Nelson Reilly doing commentary, and he was damned awesome.

Big Chuck rules. Baseball needs more ascots and sailing caps.

What I want to know is what was in that suitcase!

It's the most mysterious suitcase since the one in the WWF that said "Relax With Trudy."
   83. HOPE: Madison Obamagarner (Flynn)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 05:25 AM (#2856762)
5. It's cool that God saved Josh, but I would imagine that if I were someone who had to be around him all the time I would be really annoyed by his need to bring up his Faith and God all the time.
If I was someone who had to be around him all the time, I'd be too happy he wasn't snorting heroin to care.

Look, obviously he's traded one addiction for the other. But annoying is better than dead.
   84. Gamingboy  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 05:46 AM (#2856765)
Repoz, that is the greatest opening you have ever done, for it fits the night perfectly.

I mean, we had Hamilton doing the most amazing HRD performance people may ever see (I swear, I thought that a few of those balls WOULD go out of the stadium). There was his 71-year old Legion coach. There was the suitcase, and my eternal nemesis Milton Bradley actually apppearing to be a human being (loooong story there that I am not telling you). The Jimmy Rollins Sportscenter commercial was hilarious. And I don't think Berman used a single nickname all night. And you could tell everyone was having fun.

Then, when Morneau won, even he said that Hamilton should have won. And when they make the movie, he probably will win!


I also want to say this: Buck O'Neil said that there was a sound from a bat that only players with the most power could create. He said that there were only three men who he ever hear create that sound: Babe Ruth, Josh Gibson and Bo Jackson. Buck would have loved last night.

Also, I have to feel bad for the dude who was arrested by NYPD in the blacked-out seats last night. He missed the rest of the derby!
   85. Big Red Basketball (NJ)  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 05:59 AM (#2856766)
Also, I have to feel bad for the dude who was arrested by NYPD in the blacked-out seats last night. He missed the rest of the derby!

Yeah, I loved that the NYPD felt the need to choke the guy. You would think with cameras all over the place they might have the decency not to wrap both hands around a guy's neck as a means of apprehension.
   86. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:11 AM (#2856783)
I happened to catch Hamilton's show while I was buying disco fries on my way home from the bar. I'm not usually into gimmicks, but that was really impressive. He made it look ridiculoulsy easy.

The red carpet they have laid out on 6th ave. is unbelievably corny, though. It's like MLB hired their PR people from a Michael's hobby supply store. They really try their best to make baseball as uncool as they possibly can.
   87. TomH  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:19 AM (#2856784)
how old was Luke Appling when he cranked a HR in an oldtimers game?
   88. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:35 AM (#2856791)
What I want to know is what was in that suitcase!


I just assumed it was Marcelus Wallace's soul.
   89. Dolf Lucky  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:39 AM (#2856793)
I really don't understand why everybody thinks Hamilton is such a great story.

Yeah, it's a really lame story when somebody has a dream--while still suspended from baseball--that they are in a HR derby at Yankee Stadium complete with ESPN interviews and the whole bit...then lives the dream a couple years later. How boring and uninspiring can you get? It's like a total cliche.
   90. Phil Coorey Needs To Know How To Kill A Cat  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:47 AM (#2856797)
I just assumed it was Marcelus Wallace's soul.


Thats what I read once
   91. retro-shiite  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:49 AM (#2856798)
P.S. Not only did Erin Andrews snub Justin Morneau for Hamilton immediately post-Derby, but during the trophy presentation she clearly pronounces his name as "Mar-neau,"

I'm not surprised. I happened to catch some talk show on ESPN radio yesterday morning; Erin was on from her cell phone. The hosts and Erin did an informal betting pool on who'd win the derby--she wanted Hamilton, but somebody else had already picked him ("I can't pick Josh Hamilton?," sez Erin...), so she reluctantly picked Utley. She then openly mocked the guy who picked Morneau ("some think last year's derby ruined his power," blahblahblah), so seeing the headline amused me.
   92. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 07:51 AM (#2856800)
Milton Bradley actually apppearing to be a human being (loooong story there that I am not telling you).


oh, you tease...
   93. villageidiom  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 08:10 AM (#2856815)
I can't get over what a shame it was that Morneau won the HR derby due to a silly rule change enacted a couple years ago.

In 1999, Mark McGwire was bumped out in the second round. His HR total in two rounds was the same as the total achieved by Griffey - the winner - in 3 rounds.

It's a fun exhibition no matter who wins it. That Morneau won doesn't detract from the fun of the event - which, I might say, was shaping up to be pretty boring up until Hamilton.

The Yankee fans weren;t booing him because he';s a red sock, they were booing him because he was being an attention whore.

What else had he done up to that point to draw the attention of Yankees fans in the stadium? Sure they showed him on camera a lot, but I don't think he was doing much "look at me!" stuff to warrant it - and the people booing him weren't subjected to that. Just us folks at home were. We were also subjected to Rick Reilly. Atheists had it better than ESPN viewers.

Milton Bradley was far more of an attention whore. Not booed. Hamilton took a break to sign an autograph. Not booed. Volquez delivered luggage. Not booed. There were all kinds of candidates for "attention whore" behavior last night, not booed.

Ortiz was booed before he made it to the plate. Most certainly they were booing him because he's a Red Sox player, and a good one at that. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with admitting it, either. Living under a delusion that they were booing him for behavior they disapprove of is, well... your choice, apparently.
   94. OsunaSakata  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 08:31 AM (#2856833)
how old was Luke Appling when he cranked a HR in an oldtimers game?


He was 75 but RFK had not been reconfigured for baseball. He hit it out 250 feet away into the football seats.
   95. villageidiom  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 08:36 AM (#2856835)
But why is it so great that a guy almost threw away his career on heroin, then didn't?

The word "almost".
   96. whoisalhedges  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 08:44 AM (#2856841)
Yeah, it's a really lame story when somebody has a dream--while still suspended from baseball--that they are in a HR derby at Yankee Stadium complete with ESPN interviews and the whole bit...then lives the dream a couple years later. How boring and uninspiring can you get? It's like a total cliche.

I seem to recall the announcers saying yesterday that Hamilton had never discussed this "dream" before this week -- and then reporting it as fact.

Look, I have nothing at all against Josh Hamilton, I LOVED watching him smash the hell out of the ball last night, and I respect him for getting clean. But forgive me if I find this "dream" story more than a little bit dubious.

He's a great player and he crushed the ball last night. That I believe, and that's enough for me.
   97. SJ and the pants of freedom.  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 08:48 AM (#2856846)
Ortiz was booed before he made it to the plate. Most certainly they were booing him because he's a Red Sox player, and a good one at that. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with admitting it, either. Living under a delusion that they were booing him for behavior they disapprove of is, well... your choice, apparently.

they were absolutely booing him because he was a Red Sock. Volquez and Bradley were equal in their attention whoredom, but they didn't get booed.

That said. ESPN really didn't need to give us a shot of Ortiz reacting to every single swing taken in the competition.
   98. aleskel  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 09:02 AM (#2856862)
my personal highlights:

1) Utley's "f*ck you." Fantastic. He's a favorite of mine now. It would only have been better if he had gone all Eddie Murphy in Coming to America ("yes! yes! f*ck you too!")

2) Erin Andrews cringing when the Boys and Girls Club guy called Morneau "Jason."

3) Billy Crystal playing short in the celebrity softball game. Seriously, the guy's 60, and he looked better out there than Tino Martinez.
   99. what the hell, just use your initials or something  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 09:02 AM (#2856863)
But why is it so great that a guy almost threw away his career on heroin, then didn't?

Because he was lost, but now is found.

What else had he done up to that point to draw the attention of Yankees fans in the stadium?

He went over to the NL side at the start of the derby. He gave some sort of explanation for this in an interview with Erin Andrews, but I didn't quite get it. When he got up and started walking during Hamilton's first round, I actually thought it was probably a good thing -- Josh had to be getting tired at that point, and a little comic relief from Big Papi would be a good way to get the kid a little break. But then he just walked right past home plate, into the dugout and down the alley without even acknowledging anyone along the way. That was a bit of a head-scratcher.
   100. bunyon  Posted: July 15, 2008 at 09:03 AM (#2856864)
Look, obviously he's traded one addiction for the other. But annoying is better than dead.

As it usually goes in such recoveries.

It's a great story and I'm glad I caught some of it. I don't really like the derby but I was flipping around and saw Hamilton and thought I'd watch a bit. I think he'd just hit is first homer with 8 outs. Damn, taht was cool. I didn't watch the end because I figured nothing would happen to top what I'd just seen and, as noted, the announcers were annoying.

But the point about three hours is telling. Three hours for an exhibition is fine but three hours for a baseball game is a crime against humanity.
Page 1 of 2 pages  1 2 >

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

 

<< Back to main

Support BBTF

donate

Thanks to
BarrysLazyBoy
for his generous support.

My Bookmarks

You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.

Vivid Seats is a sports ticket broker, concert ticket broker and theater ticket broker offering the best baseball tickets like Yankees tickets, Cubs tickets, and Red Sox tickets, as well as Police reunion tour tickets and Jersey Boys tickets.

We have baseball tickets, the NFL schedule, college football tickets and Cowboys tickets. We have NBA tickets like Celtics tickets and Lakers tickets. Plus, buy concert tickets, Patriots tickets and Colts tickets. Also check out our MLB baseball schedule

Baseball Bats

JustGreatTickets.com provides the best value for Chicago Cubs Tickets, MLB tickets including Red Sox Tickets, Yankees Tickets, SF Giants Tickets, LA Dodgers Tickets, Cleveland Indians Tickets. Get the best concert tickets like Jonas Brothers tickets and more Chicago Tickets.

Concerts Theatre NFL Angels Dodgers MLB Celtics Theater NBA Tickets Venues NHL Lakers Tickets NFL Yankees NHL Phillies NBA Wicked Marlins MLB Concerts Cubs Mets Red Sox Wicked WWE Red Sox Mets Yankees Dodgers

Major League Baseball: All Star Game, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Angels, Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, and the Chicago Cubs.

Find terrific deals on Yankees tickets for the new home, Cubs tickets for classic Wrigley, or Red Sox tickets for Fenway with OnlineSeats. We have seats for every baseball game, including Dodgers tickets.

Page rendered in 1.7993 seconds
82 querie(s) executed