Live blogging the Home Run Derby
-
- July
- 14
8:14 p.m.: Reggie Jackson just threw out the first pitch of the Home Run Derby to Derek Jeter. Who knew the Home Run Derby had a first pitch? Now Derek is being interviewed by Erin Andrews. As always, Derek is the smartest guy in the place.
8:18 p.m.: Michael Kay is interviewing Reggie Jackson. Mr. October is taking his usual modest, quiet approach to an interview.
This event has been going on for 10 minutes and there has already been a lot of down time in person. But the first hitter is coming up soon.
8:21 p.m.: Dan Uggla is up first. The order: Uggla, Sizemore, Longoria, Utley, Berkman, Morneau, Braun and Hamilton.
Michael Kay is doing the in-stadium announcing. Hearing him say, “See Ya!” 100 times should be quite a treat.
8:24 p.m.: If this were wrestling, Jason Giambi would rush in and break a chair over somebody’s head, grab a bat and start hitting home runs. That would be great.
8:26 p.m.: I just counted, there are 1,345 State Farm signs in the stadium. I think maybe they’re sponsoring this event.
And Uggla hits six home runs. Is that good? It doesn’t seem good. Some SABR person needs to come up with a Home Run Derby metric so we can predict winners. HRORP or something.
8:30 p.m.: Grady Sizemore has a sweet swing. He’s hitting rockets to right field.
8:35 p.m.: Wouldn’t it more interesting if they had bums like Kei Igawa and Julian Tavarez pitch and actually try to get people out? There would be even more home runs.
Grady also got six. I’m still not sure whether that is good. I’m going to say no.
8:36 p.m.: They just introduced A-Rod to the crowd as being the top overall vote-getter. The crowd gave him a nice ovation. The fans who voted for him will receive a copy of Desperately Seeking Susan.
8:38 p.m.: A-Rod received two trophies. One for being the top vote-getter in the AL and one for being the top overall vote-getter. Is vote-getter gramatically correct? I have no idea. Does that make Jeter the game’s top babe-getter? Does Cynthia Rodriguez get one of those trophies now? These are questions we need answered.
8:41 p.m.: Evan Longoria swinging now.
8:42 p.m.: People are chanting “We Want Jason.” Hilarious.
8:45 p.m.: Longoria hit three home runs. Three. Eva Longoria could have done better.
(I had no choice with that one, sorry).
Meanwhile he is getting booed. Welcome to New York.
8:46 p.m.: Don’t feel too badly for Longoria. I saw what I assume was his girlfriend at the Hyatt today. She looked like a young Jennifer Love Hewitt, only much hotter. Seriously, much hotter.
8:47 p.m.: Chase Utley is up now and is dreadful.
8:51 p.m.: Utley rallied and ended up with five. See ya!
8:57 p.m.: Lance Berkman next.
9:02 p.m.: The Big Puma hit eight dingers to take the lead. He was scattering fans in the upper deck in right field. Talked to him during the press conference. He looks like Yogi Bear.
9:06 p.m.: Michael Kay is interviewing Mariano Rivera now. The crowd is chanting “Mariano.” Papelbon must be furious.
9:13 p.m.: Justin Morneau hit eight to tie Berkman. Meanwhile MasterCard has a “Hit it Here” sign in left field above the bleachers. Somebody could win $1 million. The only problem is that you couldn’t hit that sign with a howitzer.
Ryan Braun is up next.
9:20 p.m.: Ryan Braun is the man. After a slow start he drilled seven. So he will advance. I spoke to him today for the story I was working on. He’s a very nice kid.
John Sterling should be announcing this so he would have to come up with a wacky call for every player. That would be awesome.
Josh Hamilton is next. Bet he goes double digits. He’s huge.
9:28 p.m.: Hamilton just hit the first ball ever out of Yankee Stadium. It flew over the Bank of America sign in right field. The other players made the “we’re not worthy” gesture. (10:23 p.m.: Hmm, wrong, seems he hit the top of the BoA sign. But pretty close.)
I don’t care who wins. He wins. That was sick.
9:30 p.m.: Seriously, just call it off. He’s going to knock a subway car off the tracks.
9:34 p.m.: This is pretty cool watching this in person. The guy is like Paul Bunyan. The fans are loving it.
9:35 p.m.: You can see why Hamilton was the first pick. He doesn’t swing that hard and the ball flies off his bat.
9:40 p.m.: What a great story this is. The guy was a crack addict and out of baseball, one of the great examples of wasted talent in sports history. But he got himself back together, back in shape and now he’s here doing this - with a 71-year-old guy from his hometown pitching to him.
They might as well call this off. He has 23 (and counting) and the next guy has eight.
9:49 p.m.: Hamilton hit 28 in the first round. Amazing. The crowd was chanting his name. My brother in law Dave, who is here, just texted me, “I can’t believe this.”
That about covers it.
I need to get cracking on a little newspaper work. But I’ll be back later to update the live blog.
10:24 p.m.: OK, back for more live blogging. We’re through the second round. It’ll be Hamilton vs. Morneau in the finals.
Hamilton has a slim 32-17 lead.
10:33 p.m.: This “Call Your Shot” thing is pretty lame. It has sucked the life out of the place.
10:38 p.m.: Morneau is tired. I’m tired and I’m just watching this.
10:48 p.m.: We’re now in the finals. Morneau hit 5. Hamilton has 3 with four outs left. They’re playing Rocky music.
10:51 p.m.: In a stunning upset, Justin Morneau has won the Derby despite hitting half as many homers as Josh Hamilton did. The Texas slugger wore himself out before the finals.
10:52 p.m.: Well, that’s that. A fairly exciting night in the Stadium. The crowd enjoyed itself.
Thanks for reading the live blog. Check back tomorrow for more All-Star Game coverage and read The Journal News and LoHud.com tomorrow for everything you need to know about the game.
10:55 p.m.: OK, one more. Ryan Craig, the sports editor of WRAL.com in North Carolina sent me the link to a piece they did on Clay Council, Hamilton’s pitcher.
They’re giving Morneau the trophy now. Then Erin Andrews returns to the New York Depository of Insanely Hot Women for the night.
Meanwhile the guy from MLB just called Morneau “Jason.”
10:59 p.m.: OK, that really is it this time. Have a good night everybody.
If you’re in the big city tomorrow, go to the red carpet parade on 6th Ave at 1 p.m. It’ll be all the players and Hall of Famers.
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on Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 8:15 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Jeter to Andrews: “You’re with me, leather.”
Jeter and Erin Andrews? He needs to one up A Rod.
It says something that the entire stadium is chanting derek’s name and he’s not even hitting tonight
Why do we have to suffer Chris Berman? I’m almost glad I’m not at the Stadium. Imagine not being able to mute the man when it becomes necessary.
Jeter will actually seduce Andrews in the Gherig Secret Room.
Berman > Sterling. Could you imagine how many forced home run calls he’d make up for tonight?
Did anyone hear Utley drop the F bomb after he was booed? I’m sure it was Mets fans booing him.
I’m surprised - Ankiel didn’t make the All-Star team?
Joe Morgan is getting warmed up…inanity level rising…
Jeter is now plying Erin Andrews with hooch in the back of his Ford Edge.
“I’m surprised - Ankiel didn’t make the All-Star team?”
His numbers are fine for converted pitcher, but he’s the fourth best hitter on the team.
Ok, so far, the camera work sucks.
So who’s this Dan Uggla kid and why isn’t he playing for us?
What is with the retarded camera angles? This looks STUPID.
No back back back back by berman
Go Uggla, University of Memphis represent!!
Rebecca: Contrary to popular belief, the Yankees do not own the state of Florida.
Little known fact:
The western most affiliate of the Yankees Radio Network is Anchorage, Alaska.
Which means that John Sterling’s voice can reach Russia.
In Russia, YOU are High, You are Far, You are gone! Ha ha ha!
These camera angles suck
Uggla and Santana represent the only significant talent that has emerged from the Rule 5 draft. Unless anyone can think of anyone else?
Will anyone hit anything as far as A-Rod’s 2006 ambulance shot?
Uggla is mashing. Meanwhile, that comment about Giambi rushing in and hitting home runs might be the best comment of the year.
super slo mo is sick
Uggla nearly hit their set, how do you not hit John Kruk?!?
His legs? Really, Joe Morgan? I thought his ears provided the power?
Has anyone been able to figure out why baseball players are so damn hot? That Uggla sure ain’t ugly!!
“Uggla and Santana represent the only significant talent that has emerged from the Rule 5 draft. Unless anyone can think of anyone else?
Will anyone hit anything as far as A-Rod’s 2006 ambulance shot?”
Hamilton. Probably others.
Rule V draft is the ‘diamonds in the rough’ draft; the team they’re drafted from thought so little of them to not protect them. The team that took them were willing to keep them on the ML roster for a full year.
Has anyone been able to figure out why baseball players are so damn hot
You’ll have to ask Randy Johnson’s wife about that.
HEY GRADY!
*axe in the chest*
You like Ice Cream, doc?
Laura-I know! He’s fine.
Matty: LMAO!
i’m not sure the Steinbrenners ever got that message!
Giambi needs to recruit Kei Igawa as his BP pitcher.
This could be a good derby, but nothing can replace the memory of Sosa and McGuire hitting bombs in Boston a bunch of years back. I think it just might have been the fact that every ball went out of the stadium.
Hopefully we’ll get some in the black and in monument park tonight.
Just tuned in to the Derby. Can you believe how many people are there? And can you believe what a gorgeous night it is? And how great the stadium looks? And the American League unis are super. And it’s sooooo loud! 100 times better than last years’s!
There’s only one New York. And there’s only one Yankee Stadium.
Did we know Sizemore could hit like this?
GB7 -
After what you wrote about Paul Winchell, I realized I had read that somewhere. A brilliant man. I loved that show. You’re right about Romper Room!
I know ESPN wouldn’t do it on purpose, but that was great timing when they said “who needs steroids?” just as the camera shot to Not-As-Big Papi. Love it.
NASCAR Wives > MLB Wives.
nothing can replace the memory of Sosa and McGuire hitting bombs in Boston a bunch of years back.
And the voiceover in the background said “This year’s home run derby brought to you compliments of Balco Inc.”
These Home Runs are impressive so far.
“You’ll have to ask Randy Johnson’s wife about that.”
Clearly, there are some exceptions to the “all baseball players are hot” rule.
Sizemore is a well known hottie.
Mark,
Of course! But it would be cool to see A-Rod and Pujols in the derby.
There are pics on Yahoo.com of the guys taking batting practice together. A-Rod and Manny were very chummy. A-Rod needs to find some new friends.
Sizemore hitted some bombs.
I know ESPN wouldn’t do it on purpose, but that was great timing when they said “who needs steroids?” just as the camera shot to Not-As-Big Papi. Love it.
LOL..I noticed that too.
Good job Grady
A-Rod’s was over 500, right?
Did Joe Morgan just talk about walks without a disparaging tone?
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen balls hit as far as Sizemore just hit them @ the stadium.
Eric ever since someone’s swing got messed up after the Derby I don’t mind Yankees backing out.
I want to see if anybody goes leftfield upper deck. Sheff did that against Halladay, I think. A-Rod hadn’t done it, yet.
FYI - there’s a link on MLB.com of Bernie Williams being interviewed at FanFest. He says some great stuff, including “I still think of myself as a Yankee”. I really hope he takes part in the closing ceremonies in November.
the Big G could easily win the contest
I wonder if Phillies fans are nervous about Utley. He’s got such a simple, level swing, perfect for short cuts and line drives. Got to hope it doesn’t get fouled up.
Mark,
I agree, but for pure HR Derby enjoyment, it’s cool to see the biggest HR hitters. I’m bummed that Giambi isn’t in it.
I hear some of the ladies like that Derek Jeter guy too.
What’s so interesting about the all-star game? I don’t get it. To me this is simply a 3 day break where I stop paying attention to baseball.
Ron, in the 80s, Toronto did well with Rule 5 picks. Kelly Gruber and MVP, George Bell, among others.
I wish Brett Favre would just go away.
I don’t get it — one of those Sizemore blasts I think hit the bottom of the frieze, and no one on ESPN says a word?? Big Papi gave it a “WOW!” Man, I thought that one was outta there….
“8:24 p.m.: If this were wrestling, Jason Giambi would rush in and break a chair over somebody’s head, grab a bat and start hitting home runs. That would be great.”
That was the funniest thing I’ve read in days!!!!
Nothing beats the Stadium. Nothing beats the House that Ruth Built. Nothing beats the aura and mystique surrounding the Yankees, even when they are having this kind of season. I want to kiss that hallowed ground.
It’s so cool being a Yankee fan. No matter how much I gripe, my blood is pinstriped. Always has been and always will be.
John Buccigross with YET another Brett Favre update. Is ESPN going to start giving us updates every time that Brett combs his hair or opens his refrigerator?
I wish Troy Glaus was in the derby. He’s got a great righty swing.
Ron this is one Phillies fan who wishes he would have said no
I think 6 HR will be enough to get to the second round. Usually there are a couple people that only get 1 or 2.
Uh oh. Longoria has just joined the hottie club. I’ll have to forgive him for belonging to the TB Goon Squad.
Evan Longoria replaced Jason in the HR derby because???
What’s so interesting about the all-star game? I don’t get it.
Really other than getting to see the major league stars the real important thing is that home field advantage in the world series is tied to it. If that doesn’t interest you you probably need to watch another sport.
Evan not doing too good…
C’mon Evan, a grounder to short?
That’s what I’m talking about!
Ron, Rodriguez has two in the upper deck in left field.
Cynthia doesn’t get a trophy, just all of A-Rod’s All-Star bonus.
pete, I’m not sure Vote-getter is a word, but if there’s a hyphen in it, spell check won’t mark it wrong!
I forgive a fresh new talent for not doing his best in the greatest stadium on earth. Have a heart hitters…
They need to stick Melky in center. These kids look worse than Bonds in the outfield.
“These are questions we need answered.”
Pete
I dare you to ask them.
Ron, Rodriguez has two in the upper deck in left field.
Does he? As a Yankee, or a Ranger?
Did he hit the eephus pitch off El Duque to the upperdeck in left?
Joe Morgan, already, with the dumbest comment of the night, following Berman’s observation that Longoria hit a home-run in the upper-deck…”Those are upper-deckers!”. Thank you Joe…moron.
Was A-Rod’s ambulance shot officially declared the longest shot at the stadium?
In this configuration, Mantle would have cleared the roof in right field at least four times. He hit the facade 4 times, but, the roof line was closer and the balls were still rising when they hit.
Nice Johnny Damon impression, complete with a collision with the wall, kid.
Ron, both as a Yankee. One was last year, the other in ‘05.
Seeing A-Rod do it in a game makes this Home Run Derby all-the-more a sham…nonetheless, I can’t hit the ball out of the infield.
Utley’s bat probably relies on the velocity of the pitch more than most. He’s just not tailored to hit homers on BP pitches.
So does the Mets recent surge mean that Willie was the problem?
I wonder what will happen to the Mets streak when they play teams other than the NL West.
“Ron, both as a Yankee. One was last year, the other in ‘05.”
I will investigate. I’m just surprised I don’t remember them.
Lots of people picked Utley, but it doesn’t look like it right now.
Vote getter is acceptable slang. It definitely does not have a hyphen since hyphens breaking up words are there when the words modify another word.
That’s what my girlfriend just told me. She used a fancier explanation. I think I got it across right.
Where is Dunn, Fielder, and the other true HR hitters in the NL?
As a PHillies fan now it looks like i wont have to worry about Chase messing up his swing
Nice catch by the kid in right center, somebody get him a uniform.
Manny Ramirez is most certainly not a member of the baseball hottie club.
Arod should be in the HR derby……Madonna should pitch to him..
These ESPN clowns totally dropped the ball on that Sizemore homer that almost went out. Are they even paying attention?
Giambi said he would only participate in the HR Derby if he was an All-Star, that’s why he’s not here. Unless he makes a surprise appearance, I think they need him right now to save this turkey.
Mark,
Isn’t the “getting” modifying the “vote”?
I never would have picked Utley.
utley shouldnt be in this competition. his swing is not made for it
Laura I’ve been thinking the same thing about the Mets and Willie. Kind of makes me wonder what the Yankees would be like with Piniella at the helm. Not that Manuel is like Piniella. But it makes me wonder what a manager who wouldn’t coddle the players might be able to do (or maybe not do) with veteran stars.
Nevermind.
Ugh there’s the “back back back”
Please don’t let that continue all night.
I hope Hamilton is more impressive.
The Mets aren’t for real. They play, again, in a very average division, in the scope of things. All of those teams are bipolar. It’ll make for some interesting viewing, but the Mets are not a threat and Jerry Manuel is a dunce.
Improvements this year for ESPN:
No “Back back back” for every home run.
No stupid interview after each player.
“Laura I’ve been thinking the same thing about the Mets and Willie. Kind of makes me wonder what the Yankees would be like with Piniella at the helm. Not that Manuel is like Piniella. But it makes me wonder what a manager who wouldn’t coddle the players might be able to do (or maybe not do) with veteran stars.”
Reyes has been playing much better since Willie left and I know that he and Willie had run ins. I think that the tension between them was felt throughout the clubhouse and probably affected the other hitters. So their recent good play may be more in part to Reyes than Willie leaving.
I’m thinking that the ‘07 bomb was against the Twins, Carlos silva…just not sure. Hit in the first 4 rows.
“Laura I’ve been thinking the same thing about the Mets and Willie. Kind of makes me wonder what the Yankees would be like with Piniella at the helm. Not that Manuel is like Piniella. But it makes me wonder what a manager who wouldn’t coddle the players might be able to do (or maybe not do) with veteran stars.”
Pinella would be a worse choice than Torre to develop young arms. Have you seen what he’s done to Carlos Marmol?
I wish the Big G was in this…
worst derby ever.
‘It’ll make for some interesting viewing, but the Mets are not a threat and Jerry Manuel is a dunce.”
Due to the general weakness of the Minor…um I mean the National League, I think that the Mets have a real shot at winning the East. The Phillies have proven that they have issues and can’t be counted on. The Marlins aren’t for real.
My NL prediction is Mets vs Cubs for the pennant.
The thing with Willie is now everyone is complaining he ran his clubhouse like the Yankees. I saw a quote for the ever quotable Billy Wagner in today’s paper where he said he ran the clubhouse the Yankee way not understanding that it should have been run the Mets way.
Perhaps he should have been fired I probably would have done it after the collpse last year however the way it was done and now the players blame Willie rather than looking in the mirror is just typical.
Anybody see that Joe Torre-State Farm commercial?
He was doing yoga, drinking wheatgrass and surfing.
I thought it was pretty funny.
The last couple weren’t impressive until the later rounds.
Thank you, Nick in SF! I jumped outta my chair watcthing that Sizemore shot, and not one damn word from the ESPN clowns. A travesty when you consider so far this “derby” has been pretty lousy.
Oh my God, not the Pine Tar game again.
P.S. “vote getter” doesn’t get hyphenated.
–Your Friendly Neighborhood Copyeditor
I don’t think this derby has been lousy. Sizemore and Uggla hit absolute bombs. What exactly are you expecting?
And what exactly is the “Mets” way according to Wagner? The same thing he criticized when his Mets teammates left early to not be interviewed? Wagner is a moron too.
I agree………No more back,back,back,back, back………………..and for football season, no more rumblin’,bumblin’,stumblin’………..
The Mets way is to not care at all about baseball and screw around in the clubhouse.
I still think the Phillies are gonna win the east and the Mets are gonna have to battle it out for the wild card.
Who knows…a lot of baseball left to be played…
Watch the Marlins win the NL East..
“The thing with Willie is now everyone is complaining he ran his clubhouse like the Yankees. I saw a quote for the ever quotable Billy Wagner in today’s paper where he said he ran the clubhouse the Yankee way not understanding that it should have been run the Mets way.”
Yeah, let’s do it the Mets way because it’s been so successful all of these years. And you know that Yankee way hasn’t really amounted to much. Wagner is a tool and a liar.
Okay guys.
Your favorite Yankee Stadium memory. Spill.
They need to stop showing Miggy Tejada. Isn’t he being investigated by the INS or something?
Which All-star on both teams that the Yankees have the best chance of getting at the trade deadline????
Wow, that was a bomb! Can we get Berkman to play 1B?
Awesome catch by that kid in center!
….Wow, the last couple there were impressive.
Rebecca,
You’ll like this.
In 2000 I got a pregame field pass and was out on the field with my dad with NOBODY else in the stadium. Then as BP started I got to hang out on the field. At the end I interviewed Mike Stanton and Scott Brosius for a school project.
Hello Lance Berkman….
the only derby worse than this is roller derby….
I’m going to let my girlfriend explain. Here is what Pete said. “One for being the top vote-getter in the AL and one for being the top overall vote-getter.”
Hi I’m Mark’s girlfriend Lisa. The rule is that two or more adjectives acting as one idea and placed before a noun are hypenated. So while you would say someone is top heavy, the only time you would see “top heavy” hypenated is if you said something like “Look at that top-heavy person.”
You would say a film is low buget, but the only way it would be hyphenated is if you said it was a low-budget film.
Hyphenated words need to modify another word when used in that respect.
Yyou would never see “vote getter” hyphenated. But you could say “He was the top vote-getting person” - it isn’t the greatest grammar but it is acceptable.
Hope this helps.
Torre was on MMD claiming to be happy out in LA. I didn’t believe one word. He just didn’t sound sincere.
Which would make me drink myself into oblivion first tonight–a Brett Favre drinking game or a State Farm drinking game?
EricVa: Wow! That is utterly amazing!
We should have had a Chris Berman “DOES IT HAVE ENOUGH?!” drinking game…
Rebecca–
Easy I was in the house for Arods 500th HR. I have been going to Phillies games a lot longer and my fav moment at the Vet is two fold. Our seats at the Vet were two rows behind home plate so the first gam,e I ever went to Dave Parker ran into Johnny Oates so hard he went flying so far I have never seen a human being being hit so hard. The second being there when the Phillies won the World Series in 1980, my fav baseball moment of all time.
Upon further research, A-Rod hit one off the facing of the upper deck in left on June 12, 2007 off Livan Hernandez. Can’t find the 2005 one, though.
Rebecca,
I also talked a little bit to John Flaherty (who was on the Rays at the time) because he was college roommates with my high school science teacher. Plus I shook Jeter’s hand.
The best part of the story was that I was interviewing Stanton on the field, and as I was asking a question, Brosius walked away. I finished up and assumed I took too long, but Brosius was waiting for me in the dugout.
Justin Morneau’s pitcher can’t find the plate. The fans in the first two rows behind the plate better look out!
Laura he sounded very happy not to be under the microscope of NY and everything that goes with it. nMade it seem like he was miserable his last few years here, athough my fav quote from him was how he liked being in the NL found it more stimulating cause you had to pay attention to the game more because of the pitcher batting, double switch etc. Guess he isnt sleeping in the dugout as much out there. That literally made me laugh out loud in the car
Wow, bringing race into this? That was so not cool.
I don’t have many of my own Yankee Stadium memories, since I’ve only been there twice. However, I do have two interesting stories: The first game I was supposed to go to at Yankee Stadium was canceled by the strike in ‘94, and I saw the Yankees play “at home” in Shea after that beam fell and they closed the Stadium for repairs in 1998.
Who brought up race?
Who is the idiot that’s complaining about racism in the HR Derby? “It looks like the selection was done by the Kuannis Club.”
Eric, how the heck did you get that pass?
Why did they just bring race into this?
Well…Torre validates my feelings about his managing the past couple of years: he didnt have to. Now that he’s in the National League, he does. Shocker.
Are they really talking about the fact there are no hispanics in the HR Derby?
Ack..and double ack.
“Wow, bringing race into this? That was so not cool.”
I know. I was listening to that thinking WTF??!!
Someone mentioned something about there being no Hispanic or Black players in the derby this time.
That’s Rick Reilly overextending himself…should have stuck to his SI column.
The old strength and training coach (the one before the disaster of last year) is married to a guidance counselor in my old high school.
PETE!
Are you in the press box in the usual spot? Or did you and the regulars get moved somewhere else?
lol, I see I’m not the only one aghast at it.
Whoever the idiot was, Berman tried to shut him up quick. He tried it again…they must have killed his mic.
Joe Morgan knows so little about the game of baseball for a Hall of Fame 2nd baseman.
“Guess he isnt sleeping in the dugout as much out there. That literally made me laugh out loud in the car”
That cracked me up too, Gayle. Still, as a Yankee fan, I can’t imagine anyone wanting to be anywhere else but with us. He may like not having every decision second guessed, but he’s also no longer managing the best sports franchise in the world.
GB: I wonder who it was.
Eric: Ah, connections are everything. Wish I had some that could get me tickets for tomorrow night!
Well..Rick Reily wins the 2008 All-Star Game Foot should be shoved in mouth award..
I’ll present it to him happily. With complimentary bitchslap upside of the head.
Mo should be shagging flys for HR Derby. The crowd would ove it.
“Someone mentioned something about there being no Hispanic or Black players in the derby this time.”
I think that the shortage of Black players is an issue for MLB and will continue to be so. However, he was making it seem like blacks and hispanics were purposely being held out of this event. I don’t know how that could be true. They asked A-Rod and he said no. Big Papi is injured. Vlad said no. No need to start a controversy where there shouldn’t be one.
Rebecca,
If you have a spare $2000 I bet you can get a ticket.
I love Berman talking about SLG with Phillips and Morgan, two guys who HATE stats.
I think Rick Reilly has recently joined the ESPN family. He is now on a 7-second delay.
“Well..Rick Reily wins the 2008 All-Star Game Foot should be shoved in mouth award..”
At least he’s the leader in the clubhouse…haw haw
Slugging percentage is a basic metric. Effective to a point. That Chris Berman is scared of Total Bases/ABs is not encouraging of the progress of the mainstream sports media when it comes to statistical analysis.
He also went on to say, how could you invite Justin, when you could have invited Howard.
That comment probably won’t make it to the replay later on tonight.
My Yankee Stadim memory was being at the game in April 1978 when all the fans threw Reggie Bars onto the field. I was 17 & at the game with friends…
“What’s so interesting about the all-star game? I don’t get it.
Really other than getting to see the major league stars the real important thing is that home field advantage in the world series is tied to it. If that doesn’t interest you you probably need to watch another sport.”
We can see the stars play 162 other times during the year, seeing them on a single team is nothing special. And the home field advantage argument is bogus. Fox convinced MLB to add that to boost interest again, and all it really amounts to is a single extra home game for the team who makes it to the WS from he winning league. I don’t know the stats, but my guess is home field advantage for the WS, where you might get one extra home game if it goes to 7 games, is a negligible boost.
We got a Jew on our hand!!!!
That must be 600 feet away. At least put in in the rf bleachers, make it reachable?!
That’s exactly my issue with it. Its not like blacks and hispanics were excluded. They were unable to do so or declined to do so. There’s a big difference.
I hope that girl is not sitting in foul territory, or she’ll get smacked. She looks just as bored as me.
Eric: I have a spare $300. For two tickets.
Why are the Boys/Girls Club of America kids wearing batting helmets??????????
That sixth home run by Braun officially eliminates Utley, and Braun is still going strong.
I was at the Stadium for what was probably the best start of Randy Johnson’s Yankee Career. They won 1-0 on a homer by the ’stacheman.
His line was 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K. Mo made it interesting.
hhmmm….Ryan Braun….he’s a little cutie
What is MLB supposed to do about the lack of minorities in the derby?
A-Rod declined
Manny declined
A-Ramirez declined
Ortiz is injured
It’s not like the big home run hitters weren’t asked. I’m sure they’d want nothing more than some members of the 400, 500, and 600 club come out and show their stuff.
If the young guys are the only participants - there’s not a whole lot MLB can do about it.
For those of you claiming to be bored by the Derby…
What exactly is this one missing? What would you like to see?
Joe Morgan is just compelled to repeat himself, isn’t he?
We’ve got to get them to move these festivities off of ESPN. These announcers make me cringe, particularly Morgan and Phillips.
Funny….Berman must be reading live comments on blogs… how people now really dislike his ‘back back back’… He wont say it anymore tonight…
Todd P, that’s one of my favorite Yankee Stadium memories too, though I was a few years younger than you. What you neglected to mention was that it was opening day and Reggie hit a home run in his first at-bat with his first swing, so it was his fourth consecutive homer on four consecutive swings, the other three being in the World Series the previous October. Then people started throwing their Reggie Bars onto the field.
I would like to ask ask a serious question though, and its not meant to be offensive, I’m genuinely trying to understand.
Why is the lack of african americans in baseball considered an issue that needs fixing? I don’t see there being discussions about how few hispanics there are in football or basketball, for example.
Ryan Braun
Well as much as I hate Phillips and Morgan, there isn’t any meaningful commentary to be done for a HR Derby. At least Berman isn’t overtly annoying.
I wish there was another all sports network to rival ESPN..
“For those of you claiming to be bored by the Derby…
What exactly is this one missing? What would you like to see?”
The HR Derby is about watching guys try to hit the ball out of the park. There’s no special science to it. There’s no way to really jazz it up. Should they have dancing girls come out on the field? What about a rock group performing out in CF? It is what it is.
EricaV….looking for players to get on a roll like Abreu did a couple of years back. Some drama is needed. Maybe Hamilton will bring that…but star power is needed (the reason why the NBA’s dunk competition is horrendous too).
Are there any so-called minorities in baseball???? We the fans are the minority when compared to the multi-millionaire players……..Thses so-called minorities are by no means underpriviledged……and where is the outcry about there being no Eskimos in baseball???? No Chinese in the NFL???????
Favorite Stadium moment: Jeter flipping me a foul ball from the on-deck circle, July 1, 2004, the game against the RSox where he dove into the stands!!
“I would like to ask ask a serious question though, and its not meant to be offensive, I’m genuinely trying to understand.
Why is the lack of african americans in baseball considered an issue that needs fixing? I don’t see there being discussions about how few hispanics there are in football or basketball, for example.”
There’s the argument that baseball isn’t attracting as wide an audience as it used to. But honestly, I’m with you in this. It isn’t racism, so why is it an issue? Black athletes that play other sports aren’t denigrating their status as great athletes, they are just playing a different sport. And baseball’s setting attendance records. I don’t know why people are so alarmed.
Jon,
I agree, but there’s plenty of time for that to happen.
I don’t get why everyone has to hate on Boomer - he’s been a personal favorite of mine ever since he picked the Buffalo Bills to win the Super Bowl a few years ago, regardless of the fact that they weren’t playing.
Go Hamilton!
Here we go..Hamilton
Woah…last row of the bleachers?!
That was a BLAST
Wow
I’m rooting for Hamilton..
Off the back wall!
Did that go off the wall???
Hamilton is going out of the park tonight.
Sweet, easy swing…doesnt even look like he generates that much power. Unbelievable. Erica…THATS what im talking about.
WOW!
….
Oh my.
My $ 100.00 investment looking good
“Why is the lack of african americans in baseball considered an issue that needs fixing? I don’t see there being discussions about how few hispanics there are in football or basketball, for example.”
No offense taken, Angel. Actually, this is a good question. I guess this is an issue that blacks think needs addressing maybe more than the rest of the general public. Blacks have been involved with baseball for a very long time. It is distressing to see so few AA players. Hispanics traditionally haven’t been football or basketball players so I guess that is not as alarming as this is.
Let me also say this. Right now, blacks are complaining that their numbers are dwindling. Pretty soon, whites will be doing the same thing about them. Mark my words.
Berman…yaking about some nonsense as that last one flew…
Gammons is chomping at the bit to say anything Boston.
Joe Morgan is actually right here. That he’s managed to develop so fast just demonstrates otherworldly talent.
Oh, I forgot Hamilton was a Rule 5 pick.
I love how Berman missed the one that hit the back wall…was he stunned by Morgan’s asinine comments? Jeez…Hamilton is a monster.
…..
I.
Wow.
Man, Hamilton is really creaming those balls.
Hamilton doesn’t need to hit too many, I don’t think that his pitcher could stand the strain of having to throw too many pitches.
When does this beast become a free agent.
wow…Hamilton is just sick…
That wasn’t even close to out of the stadium. It just hit the bottom of the sign, didn’t go over it.
This old guy is throwing meatballs…Heard Cashman is scouting him…
Holy… just… I mean… This is excellent.
“No offense taken, Angel. Actually, this is a good question. I guess this is an issue that blacks think needs addressing maybe more than the rest of the general public. Blacks have been involved with baseball for a very long time. It is distressing to see so few AA players. Hispanics traditionally haven’t been football or basketball players so I guess that is not as alarming as this is.
Let me also say this. Right now, blacks are complaining that their numbers are dwindling. Pretty soon, whites will be doing the same thing about them. Mark my words.”
Perhaps. However, football and basketball aren’t likely to draw a larger percentage of young athletes away from baseball than they already do. Plenty of talented white players from the US will continue to compete with the influx of talented Latinos, even as places like Venezuela and Cuba eventually open up.
Volquez seems to be a real whacko, no telling what was in that briefcase. And that upper decker for the 8th home run nearly hit Hamilton. Wow!!
No way he could play on the Yanks will all of those tats.
Nice of them to let Jeffrey Maier back for the derby.
He is a monster.. monster and looks like he has ice in his veins.. somethin a-rod doesnt.. we need this dude….
THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS HIM
Wow I love this guy.
Holy. Oh my. I. Wow.
Was that a play on Hamilton’s “baggage” by Volquez? Anybody have any ideas?
His swing doesn’t seem to be anywhere near as hard as guys like Braun, Longoria…and he crushes the ball.
Oh, and this derby was boring at the beginning, not enough homers and they were pedestrian, but now it’s heating up.
Thats what I figured, Ron. Thanks for your answer. It just doesn’t seem like a concerted effort to keep them out of MLB, more that the majority seems to seem to just prefer football and basketball, over baseball for whatever reasons. I guess I was just interested because you don’t see the same argument in sports where they obviously aren’t the minority, nor do you see it about the lack native americans or jews or others in any sport.
Okay, I’m officially rooting for Hamilton to win it.
Can we kidnap him for our own use? Please? Just stash him somewhere in the stadium..
Just amazing..
He’s hitting them all in the same spot. This guy lacks versatility. LOL!
New way to get high!!!
“New way to get high?”
Careful, Reily.
It’s great to see this young guy enjoying life, again. This is Roy Hobbs come to life.
The need to rename this the Josh Hamilton derby.
He’s hitting softballs. Let me see him doing this against AL pitching every day and then I’ll be super impressed. Now, I’m only impressed in a fantasy sort of way.
I have it on good authority that Cash is on the phone to trade for him.
the last one almost went out of the park.
Pete may be wrong…Hamilton might hit that “Hit It Here” sign.
From what I’ve heard, scouts said that he was probably the greatest prospect they’d ever seen….Roy Hobbs in the flesh, so-to-speak.
Seriously…Reily needs to shut up
This old pitcher’s stuff reminds me of Igawa…
Thanks Laura. I appreciate your thoughtful response too. Its definitely food for thought.
These home runs are unbelievable by Hamilton, and the crowd’s eating it up. Too bad no Yankees got in on this.
Reggie redux!
Did you see that cop chokin’ that kid? Somebody call the police!!
“This old pitcher’s stuff reminds me of Igawa…”
They all remind me of Igawa.
Damn Cash, you messed up.
EricaV….this is what I was talking about.
I’m completley speechless.
My mother thinks I’m having a seizure or something.
WOw. It is fun watching him..
Jon-
I”m with you there.
Is Berman blind?
That poor old man’s arm is going to fall off.
That…
For that home run, Josh Hamilton, this Bud’s for you!
I feel so sorry for Hamilton’s pitcher. There needs to be a bottle of prune juice laying beside the mound.
This is just stellar. I am loving every second.
I LOVE the booing of Ortiz. I LOVE NY
He’s been up there so long Ortiz needed a bathroom break!
“Thanks Laura. I appreciate your thoughtful response too. Its definitely food for thought.”
Just my opinion. Again, some people don’t care. Baseball has always been a mixed sport and I’d like to see it continue to be that way. Heck, I’d like them to start letting women play…but that’s another story for another day.
And of course, Ortiz has to remind everybody that he is present. What a showboat.
Just like Ortiz to try and steal the spotlight…moron.
the fans booed Ortiz! This is great!
LMAO at Ortiz getting boo’d.
I think the ESPN camera crew has also found a new way to get high. Or an old way.
This guy is f’n smiling at the plate like Moonlight f’n Graham.
Tell me anybody who wouldn’t want to play in NY? 50,000+ New Yorkers chanting your name and you are on the Texas Rangers….cmon
Ortiz has eaten 24 hot dogs while Hamilton has been batting..
Steve Phillips is an idiot. Do you think 50 yrs from now when people are talking about this stadium, all of the championships, all of the greats that played here - that they are going to bring up this Home Run Derby? Get real.
Older fans on here will tell you, but, this is Mickey Mantle from the left side. He did this during batting practice in every park he played in. In one year (1953) Mantle had 500 foot homers in 8 parks that season.
You pulled out Moonlight Graham…Mn1972 “Vote for Nixon”
It’s not the number, it’s the distance. On like all of them.
Quality and quantity.
Yeah, the Josh Hamilton Derby has a nice ring to it.
Josh Hamilton is just a freak! Think about it: he can be had by every team for $50,000 about 1.5 years ago in the rule 5 draft pick. And we got Josh…….Phelps
He’s like a radio to God!
An army that carries Josh Hamilton before them will be unstoppable!
excuse me. It was only 6 parks.
If I were Ron Washington, I’d be on the phone right now telling him to shut it down.
This is unbelievable. Do they really need a second round?????
How many did Abreu hit that one year?
MARION! Don’t look at Josh Hamilton!
“But… he’s so beautiful!”
Josh keeps flirting with the mastercard sign.
I hate to admit this, but I am one of the few people who doesn’t know this guy’s story. Was he a drug addict or something and made a comeback?
I think Erin Andrews just started drooling on the sidelines.
Abreu hit 24.
He’s hit as many as the other guys combined…
Abreu hit 24 in one round. His swing has never been the same.
“Just my opinion. Again, some people don’t care. Baseball has always been a mixed sport and I’d like to see it continue to be that way. Heck, I’d like them to start letting women play…but that’s another story for another day.”
I could really get behind that women playing concept.
Hamilton is amazing. He’s made this really interesting.
Laura: Drug addict. Out of baseball. Got sober, found God, came back.
this is pretty amazing, what a night this became
Josh Hamilton hates charity, apparently.
Seriously, 28… Wow.
And Ortiz says to him “God damn!”
Nice. HE’S A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN YOU DOPE.
If anyone’s interested, WCBS 880AM is replaying their call of Game 7, 2003 ALCS against Boston. Ortiz just hit the HR off David Wells, to make it 5-2. You know, the Aaron Boone game.
A lot more interesting than Chris Berman calling the HR Derby.
If anyone’s interested.
wow
Is it just me, or has Erin Andrews had some work done?