Minnesota’s Forgotten Home Run Derby Champ

[Ted Schwerzler]

The date was July 14, 2008, and Yankee Stadium was buzzing with the excitement of baseballs being launched into the night. Kicking off the All-Star Game festivities was Chris Berman’s shining moment, the Home Run Derby. This particular event was highlighted by Josh Hamilton’s crazy performance, but everyone in Twins Territory remembers it for a different reason.

 

Minnesota Twins first basemen Justin Morneau capture the MVP trophy in 2006, and in 2007 he became an All-Star for the first time. A two-time All-Star in 2008, Morneau participated in his second Major League Home Run Derby. Through the first 95 games that year, all played before the break, Morneau walloped 14 homers.

The field was split between American and National League participants, with Morneau being joined from the division by Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore. The format was different than it is today, with 10 outs being available and the rounds being untimed. As long as the baseball was sent into the bleachers, a tally was added to the total. There were no distance challenges and the goal was simple.

Following a set by rock band 3 Doors Down, The Derby was set to get underway. Vladimir Guerroro was the 2007 victor, but was absent as he opted to spend time with his family. This time around, it was anyone’s opportunity to capture the crown.

Selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft, Josh Hamilton had finally surfaced in the big leagues during the 2007 season. Making his debut with the Cincinnati Reds, Hamilton posted a ludicrous .922 OPS over the course of 90 games. With a troubled past and demons he had seemed to fight off, Hamilton appeared firmly entrenched with a focus on baseball.

In 2008 Hamilton made the All-Star Game for the first time. Now a member of the Texas Rangers, his 21 homers prior to the break were plenty noteworthy, but nobody was prepared for what would happen that night in Yankee Stadium.

Over the course of his 10 outs, Hamilton blasted a ridiculous twenty-eight baseballs into the seats. It immediately became a record for the most home runs hit in any single round of The Derby. Some were majestic while others were wall-scrapers, but in total, Hamilton put on a performance that left fans awestruck.

Needing three other contestants to join Hamilton, fans at Yankee Stadium saw Morneau hit eight, Ryan Braun hit seven, and Lance Berkman hit eight to round out the finals field. Although the rounds were untimed, there was no denying that the work put in by Hamilton during the opening salvo took its toll.

That’s when Morneau went to work. Minnesota’s representative put up a solid number with nine in round two. With 17 dingers hit combined between the first two rounds, Morneau was sitting pretty. Braun matched his first round total pushing his overall to 14, while Berkman ended with six in round two tying Braun on the overall mark. Hamilton knowing he could take a rest, voluntarily ended his round with four homers using just four outs.

It was here, on the final stage of The Derby, that Morneau found himself with an opportunity. Although Morneau hadn’t captured the crowd like Hamilton had, he was ultimately in the same place. Both players were gassed at this point, Morneau had enough in the tank to finish with five in his final round while Hamilton wound up with just three.

There’s no denying the talk of this derby has always been Hamilton’s insane round, but Justin Morneau and those around Twins Territory will never forget who took the crown. Morneau talks of the experience fondly and brought it up on a broadcast over the weekend. He went on to celebrate that night, and then played an integral part during the All-Star Game the following night.

Over the years there have been multiple moments that define All-Star action, and Morneau’s Home Run Derby exploits could be up there with Torii Hunter’s catch against Barry Bonds in Milwaukee. Thinking back across all of them, what are some of your favorites?

 

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[D. Hocking]

Didn't the person giving him the award call him Jason?

2014 - not a great year for the Twins in general, but fond memories of Perk closing out the Mpls All-Star game with Kurt as his catcher.

[Dantes929]

Morneau played 163 games that year plus the Home Run Derby plus the All Star game.    His last month plus was pretty bad and the Twins lost in game 163.   Even at the time I was wishing he wouldn't join the Derby and that Gardy would give him a couple days off.  With a strong last month from Morneau the Twins probably don't need game 163 and Morneau has a pretty good shot at his 2nd MVP.   If you consider Morneau was also cruising to MVP in 2010 before the concussion at the midway point,  his path to Cooperstown was more obvious than Mauer's.