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Bleed Cubbie Blue

Open Thread: 2008 Home Run Derby, 7:00 CT

Have at it. If for any reason this thread needs an overflow -- and if it does, you guys are REALLY chatty! -- someone please start it in the FanPost section.

MLB.com HR Derby information

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs  |  604 comments

Comments

First!

Oh, so sorry SWL

though that picture is hilarious.

That was weird

my bad, when I posted, it was empty then yours posted a second later. When I left and came back in here, you were first. So, never mind.

Governor Tarkin, I thought I smelled your foul stench when I walked in.
well the jerk store called and they are running out of you...

ha

Let's go Cubs!

I mean, oops…

I am pulling for

Sizemore or Uggla!

Hamilton or Utley
I am so glad...

that no Cubs are in the HR derby. I don’t want anything to have an affect on the team in the second half. You know, like screw up their swing trying to win a silly contest that really only means more money for Bud Selig.

Better not mess up the NL Allstar swings either...
Actually I wouldn't mind a bit

if any of the other NL guys swings were messed up by swinging for the fences in a silly competition. I want the NL to win, but we won’t have to depend on Berkman, Braun, Uggla or Utley. Plenty of other guys on the team to help win it for the NL.

+A Lot

This is the year we finally beat the AL, thus ensuring homefield in the series! We need all the help we can get!!!

It doesn't screw up their swings

that was A-Rod’s excuse for not wanting to lose.

I disagree...

I have seen the results over the years since Selig brought back this fun, yet meaningless competition. More times than not, batters adjust their swing to hit BP fastballs out of the yard. Once you do something like this, you have to consciously change your swing, then change it back. You can have your opinion, but I’ve seen the results.

great article on espn.com (Olney I believe)

refuting the common misconception that the HR derby screws up its participants swings. Don’t have the link, but look it up. Interesting.

I am pulling for Utley, the lefty and the short porch. Pun intended.

examples?

besides Abreu, who’s not a HR hitter.

Last year’s HR derby champ: Guerrero. Pre-derby – 14 HR, .325 AVG. Post-derby – 13 HR, .323 AVG
2006 HR Derby champ: Howard. Pre-derby – 28 HR, .278 AVG. Post-derby – 30 HR, .355 AVG

I may have an opinion

but I have facts to back it up. What are the results you’ve seen please, since your’s isn’t based on opinion.

Since you have facts to back up your assertion.

You are right, I am wrong. However, it stands to reason, when you are trying to hit home runs, that a batter would change his swing, and try to hit it harder. I stand by my assertion. You stand by your facts, I’ll stand by my opinion. I’m still glad that no Cubs are in it. I don’t want anything to mess with this season.

Sorry, sometimes I let my debate team/model U.N. side come out
That's cool DT.

This site wouldn’t be any fun if we all agreed.

What type of debate?
Here's some more "opinion"

David Wright: pre-Derby: 16 HR’s, .292 AVG. post-Derby: 14 HR’s, .364 AVG.

Alex Riox: pre-Derby: 17 HR’s, .294 AVG. post-Derby: 7 HR’s, .300 AVG.

Matt Holliday: pre-Derby: 15 HR’s, .341 AVG. post-Derby: 21 HR’s, .338 AVG.

Albert Pujols: pre-Derby: 16 HR’s, .310 AVG., post-Derby: 16 HR’s, .349 AVG.

Prince Fielder: pre-Derby: 21 HR’s, .293 AVG., post-Derby: 29 HR’s, .284 AVG.

Justin Morneau: pre-Derby: 24 HR’s, .295 AVG., post-Derby: 7 HR’s, .243 AVG.

The only player with a significant drop is Morneau, everyone stayed on average or got better after the all-star break. Rios dropped in power, but I think his 17 HR’s before the break was more out of line with is norms than his 7 HR’s after.

Sorry to keep at this, but I just hate when someone disagrees with me and says that its my opinions vs. their facts.

You could have let it die, dude.
But then there would of been people who would agree with A-rod...

And why would anyone agree with A-rod?

So they could meet Madonna?
Hey, Jimmy and I made amends

It’s all good

Well played sir.
2008 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby

Participants

American League
3B Evan Longoria (RH)—Tampa Bay
1B/DH Justin Morneau (LH) – Minnesota
OF Josh Hamilton (LH) – Texas
OF Grady Sizemore (LH) – Cleveland

National League
1B Lance Berkman (SH) – Houston (will probably bat RH)
OF Ryan Braun (RH) – Milwaukee
2B Dan Uggla (RH) – Florida
2B Chase Utley (LH) – Philadelphia

Berkman will probably bat

lefthanded with the short porch out there in right, don’t you think?

I kinda thought he would, but he does seem to have more power RH and will bat that way according to what I read. Maybe he'll change his mind.
He did win the home run derby

in Huston batting right handed.

Just saw that he his hitting right handed (Berkman)
Faceless batting practice pitcher

LIGHT EM UP!!!

Nice.

It must be weird to be the dude who’s goal it is to give up homers…

It's not just one guy...

most of the contestants have their own person BP guy.

I heard that Lou was going to have Marmol work the HR Derby - Get his work in
That would never work

you get no points for being HBP!

One of the players is using his agent...

Forgot which one…

Z isnt participating

IM NOT WATCHING!!!

:D

Im Pulling for Mikey06 from UGA
lol

But was he All-MAC?

I want to see Hamilton win

To continue his fairytale… it would have been cool if Ankiel was in it as well

How can you not pull for him?

Hearing the story about his 71-year old American Legion coach being his pitcher tonight is just awesome.

Especially when another participant picked that most important person in his life…his agent.

Anyone have the gameday link so I can bitch about the strike zone?

But seriously, are both day’s festivities being shown on ESPN or just the HR derby?

I just found it. Tomorrow is on FOX.
I seriously can't stand listening to Eric Young more than 10 seconds...

...and Chris Berman. Ugh. Lord, beer me strength. Doesn’t Joe Morgan do this event, too?

Chris Berman is doing this?

Bleh.. I hate Berman

Mute the TV

and listen on the radio (ESPN 1000)

Anyone Have Sound File / MP3 of....

on WGN Radio Sunday (yesterday) before the game, they had like a 4-5 minute “montage” of the radio team calling highlights of wins, homers, exciting highlights of the cubs first half – anyone have an audio clip of this?? love to have it…. thanks

5 minutes of Len's voice cracking.....SWEET!
Ask Northsider if he comes here tonight...

He’s pretty good at finding those..

Think they're going to play it on Kaplan's show tonight
Do we really need an hour pregame show for freaking HRD?

I wish Eric Young would stop talking.

why bother?

I’m on the NewsHour

You know where all these guys are headed tonight don't you?

Souvenir Sittay!

It's more of a lovefest for the NYY
What's the over/under on # of different Berman names for a HR tonight?
Let's set it at 8.
Over

Someone better keep count

One. BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK........
Does Steve Phillps

get his hair trimmed every day

Yes...by albino Lebanese maidens.
That's hot..:)
Who's the band?
3 doors down....
Because nothing says "baseball" better than....

...a band performing at 2nd base before the festivities.

I really don't get a band getting a stage and everything set up

just for one song…

they should keep them out there and see if anyone could hit them...
That's Bud Selig for you...

I’m surprised he doesn’t ask them to shag balls in the outfield.

Wow, Yankee Stadium sounds like the guy who does those movie previews....
IN A WORLD .... WHERE WE WERE ALL STUCK WITH ... CHRISSSSS ... BERMANNNN ...
The Horror....the horror....
He is doing the announcing over the PA???

I feel sorry for the guys at the stadium… they shouldn’t have to deal with thsi.

When Utley hits one, $10 says Berman yells UH-OH UTLEY!!!!
He'll probably call him the Utz...
I'm cheering for Longoria....

I'm rooting for Morneau

Photobucket

I'm pulling for Braun

I think her sister Braun will win

I'll refrain...

as one from Chicago who knows her history

I admire your restraint

cuz it’s too easy…

We get the great Rick Reily Yeah…

Utley

did anyone else notice when they announced Utley he got booed….then Utley says, “boo? f* you.”

just gonna post that

kind of a dirt bag…

Barf

Now comes Joe

Rielly Berman & Morgan + Ravech, Phillips EY + mute button
It comes down to Berman vs. Eric Young....

They both highly annoy me.

At Least I Have Erin Andrews to drool over
Oh, at least Erin's there....

....in a white shirt…..nice.

NY needs a sudden downpour
FIRST!!

Go Cubs!

Damn, missed it by >>>>> <<<<<< much.

Since the ASG is played in an American League Park

Does that mean they play by AL rules?? ie….DH? or is that the way it is in alll ASGs?

AL rules
yes Al does

Yellon right?

As in whatever Al Yellon says, GOES
I got to go to the 2000 ASG and Homerun derby

it was nice not to hear Bermans worn out schtick…

How do u post a picture

Use the picture icon (the tree)
Damn those red X's
i get blue question marks (mac)?
Yup, I get the same

much more aesthetically pleasing

this is my first HRD

do they throw meat balls on purpose?

Batting practice fastballs.
Yes

They also choose their pitcher.

uggla!
he ain't got no alibi, he's uggla, yeah, yeah, he's uggla
How many difffernet names has Berman used for HR's so far...
My first HRD too....

how does this work exactly? 10 outs?

yes, anything not a homer is an out.
Oneri Fleita on Sports Central

Top Prospect in the System: SP Jeff “Alphabet Shark” Samardzija
Second Mention: 3B Josh Vitters
Asked about Donald Veal: “Randy Johnson was one of those guys, left-handed hard-throwers just take longer than others. Veal shows flashes of brilliance at times, and signs that he’s still developing. Time will tell.”
Sean Gallagher: “A lot of us didn’t know where he’d end up. Right out of HS he could pitch in the Midwest League, that’s a good sign. His best days are ahead of him, no telling where he’ll end up. Tough decisions to make, but when you’re trying to win a World Series those are the decisions you have to make. Sometimes they help us, or they help us acquire guys like Rich Harden.”

If Samardzja is our top prospect, we have one weak system...

I thought Vitters was ranked higher than anyone.

He said Shark as in "how close he is" compared to others. Oookay. I wish Josh77 were here.
Ok, my bad...

That makes sense…

I just wonder how close Shark really is. If his record after each promotion means anything, maybe he should take Marquis' spot now. : )
back back back back back

how original

Better get used to it...
I prefer the guys on ESPN Deportes

NO NO NO NO No NO NO NO!!!

Those kids in left MIGHT be better than EPatt
hahahahahahha...................
Fleita says they wanted Geo to hit it to RF, and last year Von Joshua told him, "Look, you have power to hit it to left, go ahead and try pulling it."

“And now here we are.”

446 ft!!!!!!!!!!!
"He's very modest...

but he loves the limelight”... HUNH?

I love Geo's modesty

and he’s a cutie

decent job by uggla

i’m watching on 360 – sorry if my comments are delayed

who just said

“Who needs steroids?”

answer

Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Canseco, Rodriguez?

Was it a vendor?
Steriods, steriods here.

Get yer hot steriods…

yeah who said that?!?
Erin's interviews just might make this watchable.
this is asinine

I’m off to read Money Ball

FONZI!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, has anyone else been listening to SportsCentral? Have the played that montage mentioned above yet?
gonna play it in the second hour
100% sure?
yes
Great, thanks. I'll try to obtain that for whoever wanted it.
Thanks northsider..

I’d appreciate it too…all I have is a crappy clock radio..

grady is gravy

all upper deck – sheesh

he's a cutie too!
Oh good, a Brett Favre update....

..it’s been a couple hours.

I hear ESPN is coming out with a new channel

ESPN Favre – All Brett all the time

Favre

says he feels unwelcome in Green Bay. That is just the kind of thing that makes a guy want to retire again…

and again...and again....
Evan Longoria

isnt doing as well as the first two

Yeah, after season 1, Desperate Housewives went all downhill

OMG, that is perfect....

except they forgot the “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now” lyric quote.

Hahahahaha!

Yes.

Why can't those damn kids catch a ball?
because they are little kids?
except for that one
they should try the hop before catching it...
LOL
um, have you SEEN any little league games lately?
That one wasn't bad
That last one was a great catch...

and I’m just kidding. I almost like watching the kids fight for the ball more than the HR’s.

hey i know you were kidding.........no worries!
Is it me or have baseball players gotten cuter?
If you say so...
seems like there's more young guys
Ever since Andy Etchebarren retired, the cute curve improved....
for you youngsters...

The bastard child

of Fred Gwynne and Jim Nabors, ladies & gentlemen!

sporting a unibrow when unibrows weren't cool.
When did Robb Nen pitch for the Angels?
Should they be going nuts when they catch a ball in the stands?

I mean, it’s Home Run Derby!

i think i almost have BINGO
So far I'm not impressed

Someone needs to bat blinfolded or they should throw two balls at the same time. Y’know…like the slam dunk contest. Now that would be something!

maybe they need to rate them...

for style points

Lance "meatball" Berkman is coming up soon
Fat Elvis is next!
Sizemore hit the ball the best.......farthest so far
Yeah, but who's cutest so far?

:)

Grady wins that too!
and for dimples......
I never get tired of that George Brett clip....
Was that Tim McLelland umpiring?
Well, Berkman is batting left, ESPN was wrong. I am shocked.
Are you shocked

at Berkman batting left, or ESPN being wrong?

The latter. They never get ANYTHING wrong. Just look at Stephen A. Smith. The very best in sports journalism!
Ah yes

you can’t forget about the integrity of Joe Morgan. Greatest commentary in history.

Meatball is hitting lefty and not doing so good
oh wait....he is picking up
Wow, those two were killed.....
I like those jerseys
they sell them on MLB.com, I saw a Geo one on there.
does it come with GEO?
hahaha. I'd have to check again.
No, but it comes with a hat!

not bad for $120....I like that hat...

too bad the jersey’s not a button down one.

i kinda like the pullover
oh he took the lead
Dude

is killin’ it!!!

and lance berkman leads at 8
Z sighting!

Bet he’s jealous!

No doubt

you just know he wants a piece of this!

Crushing it.....good job Berkman
Z could get 9 out of the stadium
with one arm tied behind his back.
Would he bat left?

Or right?

"We've got 8 white guys here competing!"

Who said that?

White guys, white guys...

get yer rod hot white guys here!

Rod hot? TWSS.
I typea too fast, I not look, ha ha.
Wow...

This is like the Kiwanis club… crickets crickets crickets

we were waiting for your input....
I was referencing the asinine race convo going on on TV
LOL...oops, sorry, man.
I have to admit.....

Im rooting for Hamilton….if he stays clean that is a true feel good story

I'm rooting for Hamilton as well...

It’s good to see him make a comeback. He’s got great skills.

Some of us in Tampa...

...not as enamored of Hamilton…he basically threw away a huge signing bonus on crack, and the franchise finally decided enough was enough and waived him.

Glad he’s got his life on track, but it’s hard to root for him sometimes given how he set back the franchise a few years.

Morneau ties it up

big ol’ Canadian

Morneau just tied Berkman with 8...
ryan braun next....i hope his swing breaks
I hope his agent tears his rotator cuff.
Boooooooooooooooo!
I hope his agent beans him
i dont understand how someone so small is such a power hitter
He has the power of Yahweh behind him
Is Theriot next?
i wish he could, he is only 2 inches shorter.....supposedly
He's competing

in the singles-to-right competition right after this. :)

If they had put Fontenot in the HRD, that would have been HILARIOUS.
He'll win that one...
This agent SUCKS. He's throwing a bunch of changeups that are sinking at the end. Throw it straight, fool!
why pick your agent?
This may be the only time in history "On The Record with Greta Van Susteren on Fox News" is ever mentioned on the ESPN ticker, lol.
braun is picking up too
His agent could probably pitch in the Brewer's pen
The Tribune's Phil Rogers is trying to pwn Kerry Wood.

“Kerry said today he wants the World Series home field advantage to go back to what it used to be, the best record. Well, Kerry, that’s not what it was, it alternated back and forth, irregardless of record!”

Well, Phil, irregardless isn’t a word, you moron.

Kerry's got a point...

.....80% of the players in the ASG won’t make it the WS. Another dumb Selig move.

what is pwn?
pwn
1. An act of dominating an opponent.

2. Great, ingenious; applied to methods and objects.

Originally dates back to the days of WarCraft, when a map designer mispelled “Own” as “Pwn”. What was originally supose to be “player has been owned.” was “player has been pwned”.

Pwn eventually grew from there and is now used throughout the online world, especially in online games.
1. “I pwn these guys on battlenet”

2. “This strategy pwns!” or “This game pwn.”

the only reason it changed was because FOX wanted it that way....

and its in their contract until it expires

love that lou water ad....
Josh Hamilton has some bad ass tattoos.
berman asleep as the wheel.
Wow! Hit the Ad board in right center....Jeez
Shut up Berman....shut up.....
"Evan Longoria, headed home. He hit like EVA Longoria."

Ugh. Hacky, hacky reference, Dave Kaplan. Just terrible.

Damn you prearranged move with the Reds!

Damn you!

He is crushing that ball

go Hamilton!

I almost get the feeling everyone is rooting for him
They are about to replay the montage

of the first half on WGN radio!!

Josh Hamilton: "I don't need that freaking short porch in right"

“I’m going to hit all mine in right center”

Is "toward the moon" on the bingo board?
Now there's a job that's hard to get....

“Home Run Derby Umpire”

ALERT!! Cubs season montage is coming up next on WGN
Manny's kids being Manny's kids.
I think those are Hanleys
What's in the briefcase?
It's kinda like Pulp Fiction

It’s beautiful but we’ll never know…

Party at Josh's hotel room

if he wins this thing! Thus the cheers!

They should just end it now....and give it to him

Dont kno…...given to him by Edinson volquez

Hamilton

Is Rediculous

my gosh

hamilton!!!

this is amazing
Hamilton is the best individual story of the year.
yeah and if he was still on the reds

dusty probably wouldn’t play him

agreed

everything about it is amazing. even without the drugs and attempted suicedes. Just the fact that he was out of baseball completely for so long and to be able to come back and hit big league pitching is harder than anyone could imagine

i just wanted to chime in real quick...

as much as ESPN is totally playing Hamilton up… I’m so a huge fan of this guy right now and this is one of the best shows I’ve seen since Burrell put like 41 up the other year… he will win this, and I hope he has an incredible season and comes back to the Cubs VERY soon ;-)

This guy's ERA is gonna be ridiculous.
71 yr old man

probably the best moment of his life—-what a way to give back

he could have had his agent.....but picked his pitcher.....very nice
those cops are so

beating the crap outta those kids right now

haha

that was nuts

The Milwaukee Brewers have just entered into talks with Counsil, looking to add him to their bullpen for the stretch run.
i heard dusty put a call into his agent

for some long relief in the bullpen

Gagne was taking notes
This is quite the display...good for him. He looks like he's having fun.
I think this old man could even pitch for Dusty

hes got a rubber arm

This is Amazing

I thought Sosa at Miller Park was great

This is amazing

This is incredible!!
i've never seen anything like this before
"this one is in pelham."

do you think boomer just looks at the subway map near whichever park he goes to? really annoying.

he's perfect for the derby

but nothing else

Yeah, but I'm one space away from Bingo!!!!
chris berman is not prone to hyperbole
how many RockStar Colas or Red Bulls

does Chris Berman drink in a day?

ask his 15 shirts he goes through a day

Sweaty Bastard

We may rue the Day : Dec 7, 2006
lemme guess

the day we traded him for CASH… CASH?????!!!

Good Job, Hendry
It was a pre-arranged deal.

He was never technically with the Cubs.

I guess Hendry could have pulled an Isiah Thomas.

Didn’t Isiah break his word on a deal with the Bulls once?

you guys realize that this isn't major league pitching

still amazing though

It is in Milwaukee
though Torres has looked good
lol

i recommended…

Keep in mind....

No one thought at the time he could come back…he was OUT OF BASEBALL for three years after SERIOUS drug abuse. There was a story in the local Tampa paper about him passed out in a crack den…I’ll see if I can find the link…

There were serious red flags at the time.

Could you imagine these shots at Wrigley?
yeah

screw waveland… he’d be hitting grace st.

hamilton is getting under these

and hitting them 500 ft… incredible

Who knew crack

was a PED?

If this is what getting off of crack does...

sign me up…

HAHAHAH!!!!

Nice!

they wouldnt be at wrigley....they would be in the lake
He might be able to sit out the 2nd round and still win this....crazy.
next one is a record
mastercard is crapping their pants right now
he has only taken like 5 pitches
"Staten Island Bound"

BINGO!!!!!!

CIRCLE FOR THE SQUARE!!!!
I don't even think he's trying anymore

Just can’t even help it

these are juiced BP balls right?

still amazing though

so if the trend holds...

josh hamilton will not hit another home run all season

I think this is a great story

Of what determination of trying to overcome anything. And you could be in the spot light.

Great Story.

Yeah

get rich, blow all your money on drugs and ruin your life, and someday you could be famous kids! It’s the American dream! Please. There are people every day who overcome real hardships to achieve great things. This jackass wasted millions and continually broke the law, and now we are supposed to feel all warm and squishy because he can hit a little ball a long way? You can have him…

addiction is a cycle

and he was in it… people are dealing with what he went through every day… imagine that but with millions of dollars to blow on coke and booze… as someone who has been there, i think you’re way out of line… but it’s cool. this guy is absolutely incredible to be where he is at that level…

I'm glad for him that he overcame his addiction

but to call it overcoming adversity overlooks the fact that he put himself in that position in the first place. I’ve done more than my share of illegal substances in the past, sat in a room with members of a Mexican coke cartel, stood watch in a car with a semi-automatic weapon in my hand while my friends were picking up that week’s stash, smoked crack, done LSD, shrooms, meth, and smoked more weed than Snoop Dogg, but I do not expect anybody to congratulate me for stopping. I am glad to still be alive. Hey, Galvan 316, bite me.

remember...

ESPN is really glorfying all of this… his life was screwed up, he made the choice to fix it, and he’s been good since… that’s a huge, huge hurdle to overcome… be proud of him, and what he’s doing and hope that his story serves as a lesson for everyone else that you can do anything you put your mind to…

Sorry

to be so blunt and preachy-sounding, Iswaidz. I let my emotions get the better of me. I agree with your points, and that he is a great athlete. I just feel sometimes that our society makes too many excuses for people. I made poor choices, and with God’s help, my life is on the right path again. I should never have strayed…

Blunt is what you are best my brougham...

You hit the nail on the head. I know you don’t need me to defend you, but I think Hamilton is a great baseball story that’s all. Hamilton, I think, would agree with you.

Bite me too.

I was waiting for Goodie to put you in your place. Think before you type. Hamilton is a good baseball story, that’s it. His story is not an example for anyone to follow, and I think that Hamilton would tell you that as well.

I think its the fact that you CAN

over come all your demons. Whatever they can be. Insperation can come in all forms.

Apparently you’ve never had a rough time at any point in your life.

Jackass

the best part of this?

NO BRETT FAVRE NEWS

his pitcher is getting tired
he should bunt one just to get to 9

so he can start makin those kids some freakin money

If I was in 2nd or 3rd place right now....

.....I’d say “No Mas”. The HR derby championship is yours, Josh.

thank god

let’s make some kids some money

now make some money josh
saw that coming
Theriot career HRs: 7

Fontenot: 10 (7 this year)
Cedeno: 12
Johnson: 45
Soto: 19
Zambrano: 13

Way to go Hamilton

that was amazing. Good for him!

Missed the gold ball.....damn
28

Wow….

That was amazing.

screwed the little kids
everyone is congratulating him
WTF is erin andrews wearing...?????
"too much"?

/obvious joke

what ever it is

it would look good on my bedroom floor

she just got off work at Hot Dog on a Stick
Is that Marmol witht he backwards cap?

More important news: Erin Andrews is a looker.

54 pitches, 28 gopher balls....

rough day for that pitcher….

automatically in the finals

give his pitcher a break

he should just go straight to the gold ball in the 2nd round
they gotta put Counsil on a pitch count
sucks to be the guy

that has to follow that up

Hamilton is going to let Z bat for him next round.
Z being Z

he is kinda kooky but i love him

ok i should totally be studying but this is intriguing....

I will be very happy for Josh if he wins

i don't think there's any chance he doesn't win

unless he’s hurt

Hamilton article....from the St. Petersburg Times

He has been The Best Prospect Ever, the can’t-miss No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft. The Greatest Waste of Talent, as drugs interrupted his career and nearly ended his life. The Most Compelling Comeback Story, as he rebounded from those depths all the way to the big leagues.

Josh Hamilton on Monday comes to Tropicana Field to finally play his first game there. He comes in as the American League’s best offensive player, leading the majors in RBIs and the AL in nearly a dozen other categories. And he comes in as a visitor, a Texas Ranger a few degrees removed from the Rays’ now-regrettable December 2006 decision to leave him exposed for the Rule 5 draft.

But before also calling him The Biggest Mistake They’ve Made, know that Hamilton’s not so sure they made the wrong choice, given what they knew then.

“They didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “Nobody did. They didn’t ever think I’d do what I did.”

Not even Hamilton.

From the downward spiral that started with the spring 2001 truck accident that led him to the Bradenton tattoo parlor that led him to the drugs that nearly cost him his life and career, Hamilton sat out (injured, inactive, restricted, suspended) nearly four full years before the Rays, under new boss Andrew Friedman, championed the effort to get him reinstated in June 2006.

He played only briefly (15 games) for their low-level Hudson Valley farm team before requiring surgery on his left knee, and the Rays didn’t see the need to put him back on the 40-man roster to protect him for the annual draft of minor-leaguers (who then have to be kept in the majors the entire next season).

But the Reds were willing to take a chance, got 19 homers in 90 games (and two stints on the DL) out of him, then got primo pitching prospect Edinson Volquez in a trade with Texas. The Rays got the $50,000 draft fee.

“In retrospect, clearly we made a mistake,” Friedman said Saturday. “His success is really incredible. It’s a testament to Josh and his determination. It’s an amazing story. A number of people in our organization helped him on his path, and except when we’re playing against the Rangers, we’re all rooting for his continued success.”

Hamilton, who turned 27 last week, said he’ll always be grateful to the Rays for his first chance, and specifically to Friedman for his second. He doesn’t accuse them of giving up on him, but he doesn’t absolve them, either.

“I don’t know what to think about the situation,” he said. “I think what was supposed to happen, happened. Oh well, I’m doing all right.”

The Rays made an error in judgment, magnified because shortly after the draft they dumped some bit players off the 40-man roster, middle reliever Travis Harper and extra outfielder Damon Hollins.

The way Hamilton has played – hitting .337 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs – has made it look worse.

Opposing players are staying in the dugout to watch him take batting practice. (“He’s just a freak of nature,” Baltimore’s Aubrey Huff said.) Teammates rave about him as a player and a person. (“He’s our guy,” infielder Ian Kinsler said.) The Rangers have been so impressed they are considering signing him to a long-term deal. (“After seeing him for a while, nothing Josh does surprises me,” manager Ron Washington said.)

Even some of the Rays, seeing the highlights and checking his stats, admit to wondering, What if he were in rightfield?

“How could you not?” pitcher James Shields said. “I can just imagine what it would be like.”

“You think about it all the time,” leftfielder Carl Crawford said. “But it was just one of those things. You just didn’t know that (his amazing play) was going to happen. You knew he could do it, but you didn’t know if it ever would happen. It’s good to see him doing well. It would have been nice to have him over here, though.”

Sitting in the lobby of the Rangers hotel for an hour after Friday’s game, talking about old times (like when he threw out the first pitch at the Trop after being drafted) and old names (former managing general partner Vince Naimoli, who wrote him letters of encouragement), Hamilton makes a startling revelation about the upcoming three-game series.

“I’ll probably be nervous,” he said.

And he has questions, asking several times, “You think I’ll get booed down there?” then shrugging and adding the gentle jab, “It wasn’t my choice to leave.”

He wonders if the Trop heckler will be on him. He asks about Crawford and the health of Rocco Baldelli, whom he was projected to join in the team’s dream outfield. He inquires about long-time staffers such as now-farm director Mitch Lukevics, trainer Ron Porterfield and the coaches.

Hamilton has already told Washington he wants to play in all three games and wants to know who’s pitching (Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine and Matt Garza). “I can’t wait to see how they think they’re going to pitch me,” he said, flashing the old grin and cockiness that make him special.

Hamilton says his life – still steeped deeply in faith and family – is good off the field, too. His wife, Katie, is expecting a third daughter in August, and they’re moving into a new house in North Carolina. He has been sober – no drugs or alcohol – since Oct. 5, 2005, and is tested three times a week year-round. He says Katie, who was a driving force in his recovery, “trusts me now” to handle more situations.

A book, with so much detail Katie has been shocked, is expected by the spring, and it would be a surprise if a movie didn’t follow.

The Rangers, like the Reds, made provisions for extra care, hiring Johnny Narron as a “special assignment” coach with Hamilton, whom he has known since childhood, as his primary responsibility.

“I make sure Josh is okay away from the field,” Narron said.

When the team is home, Narron, who had the same job with the Reds, will stay at Hamilton’s house (when his family isn’t there). On the road, Narron doesn’t shadow him, but Hamilton is required to let him know where he is at all times. “He’s not my babysitter,” Hamilton said. “It’s about having someone hold you accountable.”

Typically? He watches TV in his room (Discovery Channel or National Geographic and rarely ESPN), plays video games with teammates or hosts a bible study or devotional.

Hamilton says routinely that the two most important things in his life are his relationship with God and his family. As a distant third, baseball’s working out pretty well, too.

Seeing the staggering numbers Hamilton has put up, people tend to ask how he’s doing it. But in reality, he’s just doing what he used to do in Princeton and Charleston and what he expected to do at the Trop – for the home team.

“It’s just fun,” he said. “It’s the way it was when I was in the minor leagues with the Rays. It feels exactly the same; if I’m in the lineup, staying healthy, the numbers are going to be there.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com

Just a link to the article would have sufficed...

and what Al prefers….

Sorry, but link didn't work....it was in archive
Link next time, buddy.

You could have linked it with an excerpt, NotSure. Copy and pasting everything is neesh keet, especially during an Open Thread.

This is why the 3 rounds are silly...

Josh is CLEARLY the winner!

could he win without playing in the final round?
Nope

He’s automatically into the final round, I think, but he has to win it there, too.

Does the guy with the lower HR total bat first or last in the final round?
No idea

I want to say first, but I want to say a lot of things.

yeah, I think it's first...

...so Josh might not even have to bat? Wonder if they make him because of the money ball?

Unfortunately...

no, unless his competitor conceeds.

personally, after that performance, i would concede

but thats probably another reason im not a professional athlete

Think this is a tip your cap situation
Lance Berkman's a fat guy.

He’s like a hybrid mix between Jay Leno and Elvis

Is it just me

I wanna hear from Reggie Jackson about as much as Joe Morgan

reggie jackson was awesome

in baseketball

I like Reggie...
Rick Reilly is embarrasing himself....
Soriano needs to get with the times

USING AN OLD RAZR????? dork

My favorite Chris Bermann nickname:

Jake DAYLIGHT COME AND ME WANNA Delhomme

His brilliance and wit is unrivaled. If Chris Bermann was a religion I’d convert to Bermanism and become a Bermanite.

Berman, that is
the second N is for naughty
I liked

Carlos ” By land, By Sea” Baerga (sp?)

Braun v. Hamilton

in the finals…?

"It's a lousy night to be an atheist."

Is that Reilly? I’ve never heard his voice. If it is, he should never be on air again.

is he the same a-hole

that made a big deal about no black players in the derby? thanks for supporting racism dumbass… this guy needs to go

Yes, that's him...

that and the “Why are so many white guys here competing? Where at the latinos?” are just ridiculous.

What? I missed that

Why?

Why what?
Why is it a lousy night to be an Athiest?
because josh hamilton found god

this guy is a total dumbass… just ignore him… he makes joe morgan sound like martin luther king, jr.

Now THAT is an accomplishment.
I'm having a pleasant night

thank you very much dumb ESPN announcer

i'm assuming "why would he say that"

but who knows

"It's a lousy night to be an atheist" ?

Lord, beer me strength.

Unless there's a ton of Bengay back there, the 71-year-old BP pitcher, who probably throws to a lot of people at a time, far fewer than one player on one night, is going to be in trouble?

Shut. Up. Reilly. Wow this guy is not funny at all.

i think it's blue mike in disguise!!!!
so his checklist tonight is:

1. Racism
2. Old People
3. Religion

Now he just needs to say something about the upcoming election and he’ll be all set.

don't forget a rant about how the derby is contributing to G L O B A L W A R M I N G ! ! ! !
Probably same guy who said

“Who needs steroids”

yup

same guy

Updated

1. Racism
2. Old people
3. Religion
4. Global Warming
5. Steroids

None, of which, were funny.

Next comment is going to be

“Glad his mom didn’t abort him!”

For an announcer....

He’s a heck of a writer…

Nice catch guy w/ the Fukudome jersey!
Braun. Epic. Fail.
disappointing

brauny has some power

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twinkies.....
It's Twins.
twinkies to me
I miss twinkies
are you allergic to delicous pastry treats?
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand here we go :-)
If I'm Hamilton, I would hit a couple more, then bunt for the rest of the outs in this round. haha
Sign in crowd: "Where's Barry? *"

haha

lolz

love it

WOW

hamilton was SO FAR under that ball and hit a line drive HR

I was amazed

at how far he hit some of those pitches in the first round. He hit blasts on pitches that looked like they jammed him

Oh, those photographers there ... I mean, talk about 'back back back'.

Not only did that not make sense, but Berman is trying to inject himself into EVERYTHING. Well done. ESPN is such a hot mess.

His pitcher has a pitch count
Marmol is pitching to both batters in the final round, that's why he got picked.
It will turn into the "Hit by Pitch Derby".....

I’m still going with Hamilton.

al you are on fire tonight
sorry not al... my bad!
did he just give up or was that the 10th out???
he stopped, he is already in the finals and about 14 or more up
he still could have bunted til #9 and hit a few for the kids
yeah i agree, but.....this is taking forever
Are those in nautical miles?

Uh, no Chris, that’s why there’s an apostrophe after it. That means … “feet”, a unit of measure. Don’t worry, you’ll learn that in grade school, no need to get ahead of yourself!

wait...

i thought we measured home run distance in leagues…? damn, foiled again

They start from zero in the 3rd round

...and flip a coin to determine who goes first, I think.

anybody else pretty stoked about the new x-files movie?
yeah but its been so long
oh this is the stupid thing that david ortiz was supposed to do
Hamilton... right field, upper deck

call it

ok i hope josh wins this
Tough call there....
this poor old man is going to need shoulder surgery tomorrow
he's got a rubber arm!!!!
how freakin hervous is this guy??
LOL i know he has probably pitched a complete game almost
who is this guy

and what is the point of this crap?

it was supposed to be david ortiz...

you enter online, and you can tell ortiz where to hit a home run if you win… ortiz got hurt, so they had to modify it to this crap…

ah

that really took the wind out of the sails

ok this is stupid, on to the final round

state farm advertising -1

so who gets the hybrid vehicle? morneau... like he can't afford one himself...
I would rather have Berman fired than Billy Packer.
Wouldn't we all...
he is a cubs fan
He posts here sometimes, his name is MDBNIU.

Nah, j/k

i thought that was DaBard...????
But an exceedingly bad announcer...
nobody is a twins fan.... there's not much to be a fan of......
I like the Twins

Just hate the Dome more than any other building on the planet

HOW CAN YOU HATE FUKUDOME?????
lol

I love that Dome, just not the big gray monstrosity Dome

maybe i'd like the twins better if the dome wasn't like

watching the game on tv while sitting in a warehouse…

exactly, the new stadium with be great

they’ll still be no Cubbies but at least there will be a good place to watch ball games close by.

"Call Your Shot" is officially stupid.

they should make them catch a pop up in the outfield while fighting off the little kids.

no fighting little kids

you go to jail for that

Hey, Michael Jackson and R.Kelly got out of trouble.

Oh wait, that wasn’t fighting. Never mind.

ok fight and what they did are VERY different

but i digress ;-)

tiffany alverez could care less about this
The PR guy at State Farm Insurance has some explaining to do to his boss tomorrow.
as a marketing manager

i’d quit

Actually, this is a big success. They didn't have to pay for the prizes, and they got on ESPN with STATE FARM on the guy's shirt quite a few times,

as well as mentions by the announcers. SCORE!

and no one was watching the whole time

you can’t predict ortiz getting hurt and not being in it, and hamilton hitting 50 billion home runs and no one caring… but still, there are better ways to get your name out there than giving away a “hybrid” suv….

but no picture in the company newsletter of the guy winning....

...meh. I, for one, won’t be switching my insurance tomorrow. lol.

Morneau is a little cold
Wow, a kid actually caught one.
there have been a few good catches
alright let's get this thing done so i can go to the bar
ok josh needs 6
Berman = genius.

1. Morneau is from Canada.
2. All Canadians are hockey fans.
3. Patrick Roy wore #33.
4. Morneau wears #33.
5. Therefore Morneau needs to “protect” a “close game” (somehow….is he going to crouch under the pitch, wait for it to pass, and then stand up to block all of Hamilton’s hits?)
6. ...
7. Profit!

#6.

back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back back

I promise it’s there 33 times.

silly question...

but is this pat and ron call on the state farm commercial from a real game?

Just guessing

but I think it is

good Budweiser commercial

too bad it’s owned by Belgians now

yeah but inbev

owns franziskaner who makes the most incredible beer ever… so it’s cool… maybe bud products will taste better now

what is

the most incredible beer ever

one can only hope, Stella's a good beer

It’s just funny that the commercial says, “The Great American Beer” or something like that, considering its not even owned by Americans

Yep

SO I thought Coors was the last american beer… I guess it was bought by Miller last year though…. is there any major american brewing company? (i.e. coors/miller/busch)

I guess I’m going to have to only drink micro-brews.. but when I need a cheep beer who do I go to? Keystone? PBR? Old Style??

PBR isn't a bad cheap beer

But you can’t forget about Sam Adams

No I like PBR from bottles! Not draft or cans though

But It is still american, right.. right??

Pabst is owned by Miller

so I guess not

:(

So what do we do!

these Budweiser ad's are weird knowing they aren't a St. Louis company anymore...
NCAA Football 09 ad .... needs more Tyrell Sutton and CJ Bachér...
needs more matt forte awesomeness
Forte's gone!
where'd he go?
the Chicago Bears....aka, not in college
oh yeah i know

i was thinking he’d be on the cover of the game… sarcasm… i picked him up in the bcb draft and you just scared the HELL out of me haha

Oh, haha, sorry
Im glad its these two guys and not super stars
So if Hamilton passes Morneau, they stop....

Gold ball money really screwed. Is that State Farm sponsored, too?

I'd rather have Ted Lilly and Reed Johnson.
Gah, supposed to be a reply to iheartGeo above.
it's ok i called you Al before
yes i think so
come on hamilton!
"a lot of people wish they could his a golf ball as far as he hit that baseball"

um… no…? I can hit my gap wedge as far as he hit his longest HR

ok maybe not... but still

maybe my 7 iron

morneau might take this one
berman had NO IDEA if that was out or not
phew! that one was huge
COUNCIL PITCH COUNT: 80
Uh oh....

Are they playing the Rocky theme in the background? LOL

no...

“THE FINAL COUNTDOWN” lol

i think the cinderella story might be over
I think the pitcher's sneaking in some splitters
and throwing the wrong ball lol
it would only be fitting if he wins on consecutive gold balls
awww too bad

goodnight guys, thanks for keepin me company!

Wow. Can't believe that he lost.
That's why the 3 rounds are silly
bah oh well!

but a good show

Hamilton is the winner

no matter what the final says

hamilton seems like a really great guy!
but Morneau won, INTERVIEW HIM..........instead of letting this guy do some

religious plug

after the break...

...and Jesus don’t need no plugs, dude.

YES!!

celebrity softball!

Where is the celebrity softball thread???

:)

I think this proves the ridiculousness of All-Star week...

...a guy shatters the home run derby record, yet doesn’t win. Explain that to me.

Dan

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