The Dream

The Dream
I think it’s safe to say that the success story of Josh Hamilton took another huge step in the right direction last night.
After injuries and substance abuse derailed what was destined to be a Hall of Fame career, the 5-tool prospect has returned to the spotlight that he lived in as a high school kid.
Most players have trouble coming back after 15 days on the DL, but Hamilton is doing all of this after a stretch of 4 years only playing a handful of games during A Ball and hardly ever working out.
We’ve all read about his struggles time and time again. There are countless stories all across the Internet chronicling the lows of his life. On Monday night, Josh Hamilton allowed us to witness as his life reached a new high.
Hamilton was able to do the unthinkable. He won over the fans in Yankee Stadium in a matter of minutes. As fellow derby participants struggled and appeared nervous, Hamilton stood tall and showed America why he was a #1 overall draft pick. After what he has already overcome in life, facing 50,000 fans in the Bronx didn’t seem to faze him one bit.
Hamilton was the 8th slugger to step to the plate, needing 7 homeruns to secure his place in the 2nd round. Not only did he do that, he made the 7 hitters before him look like nothing more than the opening act.
Hamilton appeared calm and collected as he blasted pitch after pitch out of The House that Ruth Built. Every ball that he hit seemed to have a chance to leave the park. No fan within 500 feet of home plate was safe, as he hit homeruns of 502, 503 and 518 feet!
Everyone got in on the fun as Edison Volquez brought a suitcase to home plate, David Ortiz left after he’d seen enough, Hanley Ramirez’s sons brought Hamilton some Gatorade and got a ball signed and Milton Bradley took the opportunity to snap a picture with his cell phone.
When the first round had finally come to an end, Hamilton had wiped out Bobby Abreu’s first round record and put up 28 homeruns. He had a streak of 13 straight and another where he hit 9 homeruns on 11 pitches.
The only question that remained was if Hamilton would even hit in the 2nd round and if he could finish off the night and go home with the hardware.
He elected to come out and take some swings enough though he was already in the Finals. After recording 4 homeruns and 4 outs, he decided to save his energy and his 71-year-old pitcher for the next round.
In the end, Hamilton’s 38 swings in the first round proved to be too much and he simply ran out of steam, losing to Justin Morneau 5-3 in the Finals.
The look in Morneau’s eye was almost apologetic as Josh Hamilton was clearly the best hitter of the night. Perhaps the format needs to be changed again, as the eventual champion didn’t do justice to the show that was put on in Yankee Stadium. Three years ago, Josh Hamilton had a dream about being in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium and last night that dream came true. He didn’t walk away as the champion, but the chants of “Ham-il-ton…Ham-il-ton” echoing through Yankee Stadium will be something that he, and everyone watching last night, won’t soon forget.

It's Show Time Folks!

The 2008 Home Run Derby is just around the corner and we finally have our 8 confirmed participants. After a couple weeks of rumors and speculation, the list has been narrowed down to an exciting group of this year’s biggest sluggers.Chase UtleyHeight: 6-1Weight: 200Age: 29HR Total to date: 25Position: Second BaseBats: LeftDerby Experience: NoneOutlook: The Phillies 2nd baseman is a line drive hitter who has show his HR power in streaks this year. He’s had 5 streaks of 9 or more games with no homeruns and he’s currently in a downswing right now. Does that mean he could get shut out or is he about to break out?Dan UgglaHeight: 5-11Weight: 200Age: 28HR Total to date: 23Position: Second BaseBats: RightDerby Experience: NoneOutlook: Uggla has been a surprise this year, as he’s actually gotten better with the absence of Miguel Cabrera. He’s only played 3 games since injury his ankle and he hasn’t homered since June 20th, so we’ll see if he’s rusty.Lance BerkmanHeight: 6-1Weight: 220Age: 32HR Total to date: 22Position: First BaseBats: SwitchDerby Experience: 8th in 2002(1 HR), 2nd in 2004(21 HR), 6th in 2006(3 HR)Outlook: Berkman is by far the most experienced slugger in the group. This will be his 4th Home Run Derby and that will prove to be invaluable Monday when it comes time to swing for the fences.Grady SizemoreHeight: 6-2Weight: 200Age: 25HR Total to date: 23Position: Center FieldBats: LeftDerby Experience: NoneOutlook: Sizemore was sitting at just 1 HR after his first 20 games and no one thought that he’d wind up in the Derby. He’s now hit 22 HR in his last 70 games and hopes to ride that hot streak to a Home Run Derby Title.Josh HamiltonHeight: 6-4Weight: 235 Age: 27HR Total to date: 21Position: Center FieldBats: LeftDerby Experience: NoneOutlook: Hamilton is trying to recover from an 18-game homer less streak. He recently hit homeruns in back to back games and appears ready to make a serious run at the title. The right center gap being 14 feet shorter than left center gives him a very good chance to do so. Ryan BraunHeight: 6-1Weight: 201 Age: 24HR Total to date: 23Position: Left FieldBats: RightDerby Experience: NoneOutlook: Braun burst onto the scene last year with 34 HR in a shortened season. He’s trying to make a run at 50 HR this year and that’s exactly the type of power that could help him win this event.Evan LongoriaHeight: 6-2Weight: 210Age: 22HR Total to date: 16Position: Third BaseBats: RightDerby Experience: NoneOutlook: Longoria is the youngest of the Home Run Derby participants. We’re about to see if youth will be on his side or if the nerves of being in the spotlight at Yankee Stadium will prove to be too much to handle.Justin MorneauHeight: 6-4Weight: 230 Age: 27HR Total to date: 14Position: First BaseBats: LeftDerby Experience: 5th in 2007(4 HR)Outlook: Morneau is the only player other than Berkman to have Home Run Derby experience. He also has the big body needed to withstand the beating that a contest like this puts on your body.