Home Run Derby

[robmufan]

Any one catch Hamilton?  Couldn't happen to a greater kid!

[muhoosier260]

great for hamilton, and i applaud him for his perseverance. i'm not going to praise him because of something he brought on himself. he did put on quite a show though

[Mayor McCheese]

the best part of the story was how he kept his promise to the man who was throwing the pitches to him.  71 years old, and was his little league coach.  Told him that if he ever made the home run derby, that he could throw him BP.  Things like this showcase the hard work made by usually volunteers at the youngest of levels.  Loved that from Hamilton

Was ruined by the ending.  Lets face it Morneau didn't even beat Hamilton's first round total, but since that gets wiped, went to the man who did just enough to win.  The only reason why I was happy that Morneau won was due to Rick Reilly tearing him a new one during his first at bat.  I usually enjoy reading Reilly's stuff, thought he was out of line when explaining how Morneau shouldn't be in the Derby, and all this jazz about Ryan Howard, who isn't even in the all-star game due to his .230 average or something like that.  Was quite upsetting to me that he was bashing a player like Morneau, who I feel is one of the best players in the league.

[77ncaachamps]

Mac, you're right.

Reilly stuck on entitlement, while Morneau has EARNED a spot on the AS team.

Didn't want him to win tonight, but it was what it was.

[reinko]

Reilly, also fan of the the term "heroin addict" when referring to Hamilton

[muwarrior87]

technically that is true if you believe once and addict, always an addict. Hamilton has stated himself that whenever he goes out he has his rehab partner with him because he doesn't trust himself.  While I wasn't a fan of Reilly using the phrase as much as he did, it is technically a true statement.

[reinko]

Technically true yes.  But have you ever heard him referred to that on ESPN by anyone else?  Imagine Gammons referring to him as herion addict on Baseball Tonight.  He just wouldn't because it's not proper.  Call me PC or overly sensitive. 

Did they even mention once he might have a shot at breaking Hack Wilson's RBI record?  What Hamilton has done over the course of the past three years is almost beyond belief.  But you don't celebrate that by constantly referring to the guys troubles during a Home Run Derby.

Which refers back to my original point that Reilly, who is good writer (IMO), sounds like an entitled douche on TV. 


PS: Did you also hear that he got all those tattoos when he was high??

[🏀]

WORST. HOME. RUN. DERBY. EVER.

Except for H of course.

[jaybilaswho?]

This derby should stand as evidence enough to all the future derby participants: if you hit a gizillion HR's in the first round, dont continue threw to your 10 outs. Hit what you feel is comfortable and then stop- dont exhaust yourself. It happens almost every year. A guy goes out hits a bunch in the first round then is just too gassed to win it.

They were saying to just give the award to hamilton, and while his showing was one for the ages, you still have to beat the other guy in a head to head showdown. It sucks for all the writers that hamilton didnt win but sh*t happens.

[muwarrior87]

reinko, believe me I agree with what you are saying. I wish they talked about his RBI totals and all his stats with the Rangers this year.  I think Reilly was a bit of a douche for doing that and not highlighting the positives but rather just reminding us that Hamilton had drug issues and the tattoo comments were not needed that often as well.  He is a very great story that he has been able to come back from all these problems is amazing but I agree that it wasn't discussed in quite possibly the best way.  For them to mention it once I have no problem with since it is a reminder of what he has overcome but to constantly refer to it was a bit much.

[The Lens]

How special it must have been for Hamilton to play in the house that Steve Howe built.

He reminds me of a young Paul Molitor or Keith Hernandez or Daryll Strawberry.

[muhoosier260]

replay of the derby, reilly quote:
"these tattoos that he is embarrassed of because he got them when he was high on drugs, this is a new high, hitting home runs"
hahahah