Mauer will bat eighth for AL; Morneau a 5-to-1 underdog in Derby
Posted on July 14th, 2008 – 2:10 PMBy Joe Christensen
NEW YORK — In case you haven’t seen this yet, here are the starting lineups for Tuesday’s All-Star Game:
National League
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS
2. Chase Utley, 2B
3. Lance Berkman, 1B
4. Albert Pujols, DH
5. Chipper Jones, 3B
6. Matt Holliday, RF
7. Ryan Braun, LF
8. Kosuke Fukodome, CF
9. Geovany Soto, C
Starting pitcher: RH Ben Sheets
American League
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Manny Ramirez, LF
6. Milton Bradley, DH
7. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
8. Joe Mauer, C
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Starting pitcher: LH Cliff Lee
Yankee Stadium. Tuesday. First pitch: 7 p.m.
Notes: I have a ton of writing to do off the press conferences today, so I’ll make this quick.
The web site www.BodogLife.com has posted these odds for tonight’s Home Run Derby:
Josh Hamilton (TEX) 3/1
Lance Berkman (HOU) 7/2
Chase Utley (PHI) 5/1
Justin Morneau (MIN) 5/1
Dan Uggla (FLA) 6/1
Ryan Braun (MIL) 6/1
Grady Sizemore (CLE) 13/2
Evan Longoria (TB) 7/1
Morneau predicted that Josh Hamilton would win. But don’t count out the big Canadian. Remember, he had to go first last year at San Francisco’s AT&T Park. He hit four homers, then added one more in a tiebreaker round against Albert Pujols, who moved on to the next round.
It’s interesting to note that the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki were among those who turned down an invite to be in this contest. Morneau didn’t get his invite until Sunday morning. That would only add to the story if he wins.
209 Responses to "Mauer will bat eighth for AL; Morneau a 5-to-1 underdog in Derby"
i picked utley too win it all and uggla too get second followed by hamilton and berkman
Wow, Joe Vavra pitching in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, and he never appeared in the majors. I still have hope!
Nice managing by Francona. He put his worst two hitters in the top two spots of the order.
Derek Jeter hitting 2nd and Mauer 8th?? That makes sense…
can’t have Jesus out of order in his own park!
What the hell is Morneau doing in the HR derby? When I think of “power hitters”, Morneau doesn’t come to mind.
What’s Eva Longoria doing in the home run derby?!!
What’s Eva Longoria doing in the home run derby?!!
There needs to be some reason to watch it.
I think Just Morneau will do a good job in the homerun derby. He has power he just hasn’t shown it as much this year.
WOW…just noticed the ONLY non-Yankee, Red Sox or Ranger in the starting lineup is Suzuki & Mauer. At least the NL has a little more variety of teams in the starting line up.
Its actually not a terrible way to arrange the lineup if you consider OBP machines Mauer/Pedroia as 2 extra lead-off men a la the way the Twins have been arranging their lineup lately. Franconia did put his own guy last, so you gotta figure it was a matter of strategy.
“Franconia did put his own guy last, so you gotta figure it was a matter of strategy.”
Maybe he thinkks Tampa is goig to the Series so he’s trying to throw the game.
I can’t believe they asked Ichiro to be in the HR Derby before Morneau. Are you serious??? I’d lve to see Ichiro and Mauer go head to head. It would take all night.
Actually, I’ve heard on separate occasions that Ichiro can knock them out like the best of them in BP. It would’ve been cool to see him do it.
“he’s trying to throw the game.”
Thats a thought…
Do you watch baseball or just like to write in blogs?
Maybe he is thinking that he will have to sub the guys at the top of the order first. But A-Rod is an ass for not doing the HR Derby!
reason to dislike (I was told to never hate anyone) Derek Jeter. MLB, the press and all broadcasters drool over Jeter. There are many more shortstops that are better than him. He is, without a doubt, the most overrated BB player today.
Rank in major league in averages:
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF - 25th
2. Derek Jeter, SS - 62nd
3. Josh Hamilton, CF - 18th
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B - 15th
5. Manny Ramirez, LF - 40th
6. Milton Bradley, DH - 11th
7. Kevin Youkilis, 1B - 12th
8. Joe Mauer, C - 7th
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B - 12th
Rank in major league in OBP:
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF - 49th
2. Derek Jeter, SS - 89nd
3. Josh Hamilton, CF - 47th
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B - 15th
5. Manny Ramirez, LF - 18th
6. Milton Bradley, DH - 4th
7. Kevin Youkilis, 1B - 27th
8. Joe Mauer, C - 6th
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B - 61th
Jeter should totally be 8th.
Who really does this Jeter is the best SS or player this year? No one with any MLB common sense.
Steve,
there was a good article in an NYC paper linked from Buster Olney on ESPN.com. Basically the article was saying Jeter will be washed up and no longer a Yankee after 2010!
Who are these random Red Sox players? Boring AL lineup.
If the game were being played in any other park but Yankee Stadium I’d have a problem with Jeter hitting second and Mauer 8th.But Jeter is a class act and deserves to hit in his “normal” spot.Hope the AL continues is recent dominance.
Morneau will make it out of round one tonight, but he won’t win it.I’ll take Braun to win the derby.
Not a big deal. I mean, if anyone didn’t expect Jeter to bat 2nd, they just don’t get the way it works. The game is in Yankees Stadium. Jeter is a 1st ballot hall of famer. he’s having a down year, and isn’t necessarily deserving of the spot, but oh well. Just not a big deal.
Doug I can agree about the home field thing, but not about the “class act” part. He has never been a true leader on that team. And he will hang his team out to dry if it will make him look better in a heart beat. You think he is a class act because you don’t seem him getting caught with a hooker every night?
No question Jeter shouldn’t even be there, but unfortunately they let self-important Yankees fans vote too. He should at least be batting at the end of the order as he clearly has the least impressive numbers of the group (of starters anyway…. Veritek got in too via the self-important sox fans out there). Franconia maybe just throwing Yankees fans a bone since he refused to consider starting Rivera?
And another thing, I don’t think you should be listing MLB OBP ranks Chris considering we are talking about a group of AL batters… Most of those guys rank much higher if only compared to their own league.
Stacy -Show me were jeter has “hung his team out to dry”.If you mean is he clasier than A-Rod,who has been seen with a stripper in public,or Giambi,an admitted steroids user,yeah I’d say he is.
I get the fact that the NY press makes him out to be a god,but he plays the game hard every night and has carried himself well IMO.If you have proof of otherwise please feel free to share.
Where have you gone, Joe Dimaggio?
Doug,
What I am talking about are all the times when he team mates are being questioned about something. When A-Rod was getting fed to the wolves during the play offs. He doesn’t stand up for any of them. He thinks only of himself. You take the good and the bad as being “Captain” of your team. When something is hitting the club house that is important for the whole team you need to care and act like class and support your team. He hasn’t done that over the last couple of years.
Did they seriously ask Ichiro to be in the derby? Is that because Jason Tyner isn’t on anyones active roster?
“No question Jeter shouldn’t even be there, but unfortunately they let self-important Yankees fans vote too… Veritek got in too via the self-important sox fans out there).”
The players voted Veritek on to the team (although he was leading for much of the voting despite having a terrible offensive year.) As for Jeter, plenty of less-than-deserving players have made the team over the years based on reputation, it’s not just Yankee fans that vote like homers.
Saam- I love it! Vote like Homers! Yes your right, the players voted him in. Gee, I wonder why they didn’t vote someone like AJ in from Chicago.
COME ON! Joe Mauer batting 8th. Lets look at the batting averages bozo.
I want to see at least one pitcher in the HR derby each year just to show up some of these guys.
8 whities in the HR Derby… I wonder if Jesse Jackson is on his way to protest.
Less-deserving players are on the rosters of both teams - every year! That’s because they insist on having representation from every team to stimulate fan interest from every market.
Stacy- IMO A-Rod fed himself to the wolves.Talk about a self absorbd Player.A-Rod doesn’t need or he would accept Jeter sticking up for him.
Doug, I never said I like A-Rod, he is just as bad as Jeter.
alright, yes, sorry, the players voted Veritek on… it still comes down to the Uniform he’s wearing (and same with Jeter).
Batting average is a bad stat, and like I said, if you consider Mauer and Pedroia to be extra lead off men the lineup starts to look pretty intimidating.
“Saam- I love it! Vote like Homers! Yes your right, the players voted”
Reread my post. I was talking about FANS who vote like homers. The person I was responding to made it sound like only Yankee fans vote for their own players.
Well its just that Yankees’ names are immediately recognizable by any casual baseball fan and they become the default choice for anybody who doesn’t know who else to vote for. Not to mention the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox have a national audience that almost every other team doesn’t approach.
Mauer batting 8th is a joke. He should be at the top of the lineup, no question. Look at the numbers. But it just goes to show that fame trumps the numbers **aghm Jeter aghm**
A-Rod and Giambi both turning down the Derby in their own dang town. They think they are bigger than the game.
*pfft*
I figured Mauer would either hit 2nd or WAY at the bottom. Especially with Jetet (basically a career #2 guy) at Yankee stadium.
But honestly, who cares? It’s a meaningless* game. Looking at that AL lineup…do you see an out? Anywhere?
Does anybody else remember how much Justin’s swing was off after last years home run derby? Maybe he should have been the one to decline!
Does anybody else remember how much Justin’s swing was off after last years home run derby?
No. I seem to remember his swing was just fine when he was crushing the ball right after the break though.
I guess it took three weeks for his swing to realize it was supposed to be “screwed up.”
Justin CB
I don’t think Veritek got in becasue he plays for the Red Sox. Pitchers get to vote for the all-star game too. He’s the best in baseball at calling a game and that’s his appeal. He’s caught 4 no-hitters. Pitchers want him there.
Jason Morneau is a power hitter…. just not a steriod power hitter
Varitek got in via the players vote over Pierzinsky.
Morneau’s second half power outages are not ‘07 speciffic.He didn’t hit many HR in the second half of his MVP year either,and didn’t participate in the HR derby that year.Here is hoping that he got the “bad” half out of the way early this year.By the way,if his first half this year is bad, I’ll take a second half just like it!
I think its naive to think the players aren’t influenced by the national spotlight on Red Sox baseball just like anybody else. There is ABSOLUTELY no question the players got that one wrong and I’m going to enjoy watching Veritek take the walk of shame onto the field b/c you gotta believe he knows he doesn’t belong there this year either.
Did they really invite Ichiro to the Home Run Derby? That makes no sense at all. He’s a great player, but he has never been a HR guy.
Snepp- Justin only hit 4 home runs from the All Star game in the begining of July to August 24th! Not his best showing. Doug is definitely right, he hit 7 homers in the same period of ‘06
Yep, I have ESPN on right now (don’t ask why)…and it’s already becoming “Yankee Stadium Week (feat. 60 some other guys doing something or other tomorrow night)”
About Morneau’s 2nd half decliness…there was article the other day talking about his in season work out regiment. Up until this year he hasn’t lifted legs during the season. Which is completely crazy to me since so much of your power comes from your hips and legs.
Hopefully the new sensible in season workout makes for a better 2nd half!
I hope somedy other than Hamilton wins. Nothing against him, but I always like to see the favorite get knocked out.
I’m suprised Vlad isn’t in it again.
Jeter is a 1st ballot hall of famer.
This is somewhat questionable. If you look at middle infielders, some of his comparables are Sandberg (a HOF), Trammel (who’s numbers are almost identical to Sandberg, but he is out), to Alomar, Larkin and Biggio. Are the last 3 first ballot (if any ballot) HOF’s? Not sure. On the other hand, Ozzie Smith and his career .665 OPS is in. Go figure 
Just look at the trends and who got picked - it is not about who is really best this year, it is about popularity, politics, and entertainment at the cost of true current stars. I am and have always been a purist - also hate the DH, and lower the mound, artificial surfaces, and 100 pitch counts determining when your time is up.
Jeter a first ballot Hall of Famer??? HA< HA, HA!!! :0) :-)) I am rolling on the floor!!
Jeter is a first ballot HoFer because he’s Derek Jeter.
I don’t like it…but that’s the way it’ll work.
“Nice managing by Francona. He put his worst two hitters in the top two spots of the order.”
Ichiro’s stats might not be there this year, but to call him one of the worst hitters on the team is absurd. And to put him in the same category as Jeter is a joke. I agree that Jeter being in the 2 hole is dumb though. Francona trying to appease the Bronx faithful.
Oh, and I have Ryan Braun to win it. That kid’s power is off the charts. I remember in Milwaukee he got completely fooled on a pitch by one of our guys (don’t remember who) and swung off of his front foot completely off balance. Gomez took about 5 steps in because it looked like the swing of a lazy popup. He sat in shallow CF until he realized that it was flying over his head and he had to race back to make a running catch on the track.
I think Morney has a shot though.
i probably picked completly wrong but oh well…
it was the fun that counts
though i would like that 10k lol
Who the hell is Fuk-u-dome!!”
I have always thought the All-Star game should be a line-up of today’s players who have a shot at being in the Hall Of Fame. A player everyone has at least heard of. I have a problem with the guys who are hot for three months and gain an All Star berth. I am rooting for them for Rookie of the Year or Come-back player of the Year, I just like to have well known stars in the All Star game. Just IMHO.
Utley and Sizemore start it out, they rave about him.
Longoria gets up, and so far they’ve spent his time up there talking about the stadium.
Okay, now they’ve gotten back to talking about him.
Morgan still overanalyzing. Hey, did you know he’s a HoFer? And that he hit a homer in an All-Star Game?
Morneau should have Ron Davis pitching to him - He would win for sure. For all under 36 years old, you are extremely lucky to only remember all the great relievers the Twins have had. Imagine the Brewers with Joe Nathan, they would be arguably favored to win World Series.
Have Morneau for some coffee money at 7-1.
Ok…Vavra’s bp pitching sucks! Too many high pitchs and too far inside.
Ok…Vavra’s bp pitching sucks!
*insert Brian Bass joke here*
Vavra had some trouble locating, but Morneau found his groove. Tied for first now, in the second round.
Would’ve been nice if they’d had actually paid attention, instead of worshipping at the altar of Hamilton.
If they didn’t cut Rincon he should have pitched to Morneau! IT WOULD NEVER END!!!
Braun with a WHIFF. Haven’t seen that before in a Derby.
Braun’s agent doing a poor job of setting up his boy there.
So what’s the over/under on how many days before a) Rick Reilly is assailed for saying there are too many white guys in the contest and b) before he’s suspended?
I can’t believe that an alleged “world class” journalist is stupid enough to open that can of worms by pointing that out. Of course if there were no white guys and he had said this is too black/Hispanic/Asian he would never work again, but what the heck.
Ravech’s response was classic “Well, that was certainly an interesting way to frame the comment” or something like that.
The Eastern Sports Promotion Network is certainly rife with idiotic hair-pullers.
And, for the record, I think Chris Berman’s side job is sucking the air out of light bulbs to create their vacuums. He should retire.
Yep, it’s official: Josh Hamilton is a God. We should all simply bow before his greatness.
Following this game, we will be asked to sacrifice our first born to his glory.
Funny, during every other guy’s AB they talked about everything but the player (some less so than others)
Hamilton comes up and the world comes to a halt. Tacky.
At least the Derby has integrity!
Thankfully Morneau doesn’t have to beat EVERYBODY to make it to the final round.
One thing about this, his pitcher is dropping those right over the plate. He made a great choice.
So, what’s the over/under on how long until he’s a Yankee?
And as we speak, Hanky Steinbrenner has offered Hamilton’s agent a 20 year, billion dollar contract offer.
It might be worth it.
Wouldn’t that just be a b*tch if this breaks his swing for the rest of the year?
It is kind of cool to see big leaguers acting like little kids at the local yard. Too bad this joy isn’t there every day, but at least you know it’s still in them.
Go figure, hit 28 dingers and then miss your first shot at the Gold Ball.
Greedy jerk. 
Okay. Hamilton’s done. Back to talking about everything else but the guy at the plate.
This annoucing crew is pitiful.
“What’s it going to take for people to realize there are other players in this thing?”
I dunno…maybe you talking about them? Just saying.
Willie Norwood says:
So what’s the over/under on how many days before a) Rick Reilly is assailed for saying there are too many white guys in the contest and b) before he’s suspended?
I did a double take when I heard that comment. That was such a stupid statement.
Now Reilly just referred to Hamilton as a former heroine addict. Yes, it’s true but WHY?? You can describe him in so many other ways.
ESPN screwed up having Reilly on the broadcast and they will have to make a few apologies for his stupidity.
He blew like $4M on drugs and alcohol. An amazing turnaround.
MVP gets 8 + 9 in the first two rounds. Monkey’s off his back.
Re Morneau and Vavra, the trouble is there aren’t any American Legions in Canada to find a decent BP pitcher.
Yes, Hamilton’s had an amazing turnaround…but there’s 7 other guys here tonight. They didn’t give a crap about any of them, put everything on hold to fawn over Hamilton, and then right back to talking about nothing while the 2nd round happened.
Yeah, he put on a show…but the other 7 guys were doing stuff before he got up to bat. It’s not like they stopped calling anything afterwards…they didn’t start until he got there.
And wow “It’s a bad night to be an atheist…”
Riley needs to be muzzled before he REALLY pisses somebody off. He’s making Hamilton sound like a prophet.
“I dunno…maybe you talking about them? Just saying.”
God bless you, T!
The parochial east coast……..talk to each other, not to us.
If I would’ve known ahead of time, I’d have made a drinking game.
Any time they mention drug use: 2
Any time they mention “amazing story”: 2
Any time they specifically name a drug: 4
…I’d be HAMMERED right now.
T, you are absolutely right. I couldn’t believe the atheist comment either. They need to shut off his microphone.
Morneau has a chance in the finals, when the scores reset.
Bonus: 3 drinks any time they mention finding god or religion.
You know, I found God once. He was hiding out at a Starbucks because he’s tired of everybody looking for him.
WE HAVE OUR FINALISTS!!
Doc and the patient!
Okay. Hold on everybody, Hamilton is going to come up and hit here. Stop whatever your doing, put your life on hold…get out your prayer mats and ready your incense.
Mauer works a pretty good interview. He doesn’t sound too bad when he’s not scripted.
T you are way to sensitive come Hamilton is a great story relax and appreciate it
No respect for 2nd place, “So Josh Hamilton (28) and Lance Berkman (17) advance to the finals, with the scoreboard now wiped clean.” at the official MLB blog (http://homerunderby.mlblogs.com/). Fortunately they changed it, but still…
T you are way to sensitive come Hamilton is a great story relax and appreciate it
I know it’s a great story, but at the same time…I don’t need to be reminded of it during EVERYBODY’S ABs.
Give me his story some other time. Right now, call the dang contest.
Just a wee suggestion for Gardy this weekend re:Hamilton. Two words: intentional walk.
Wow, one to opposite field for Hamilton.
If he kills a photographer, will God forgive him?
ESPN: Josh Hamilton is better than the guys who served in WWII.
*mmmm*
Kool-Aid.
Just a wee suggestion for Gardy this weekend re:Hamilton. Two words: intentional walk.
Nah, just don’t put any 70 year old War veterans out on the mound.
And it won’t be too big a problem, as its a weekend series.
Remember, on the 7th day Hamilton rested.
ESPN has really dropped the ball on these broadcasters my gosh wiener poopie
T
What are you talking about? Isn’t Livan pitching this weekend?
We’ll get back to find they just put commericials over Morneau’s AB. After all, it doesn’t matter.
However, we’ll be informed that while we were on break, Hamilton cured Cancer and brought peace to the middle east.
I don’t really want Morneausie doing TOO well here. We need to keep him under Hanky S.’s radar.
Erin Andrews is phenomenal however
If he’s paying attention, he’ll point to right field.
Erin Andrews is phenomenal however
Rachel Nicholes > Erin Andrews.
let me guess T you also think that all National Sports anchor/broadcasters/writers have a built in dislike for MN.. come on stop with the “little MN” sports inferiority complex you are better then that have some pride!
The best part is they put the car in right field.
What does the guy get if he puts one through the window?
let me guess T you also think that all National Sports anchor/broadcasters/writers have a built in dislike for MN..
Were you paying attention to anything I’ve said all night?
The crew wasn’t paying attention to ANYBODY except Hamilton all night. You were paying attention right?
Leading up to Hamilton, they were talking about Jackson, the stadium, Ruth, Ripken…everything else.
Then Hamilton comes up, they build him an altar, and then ignore the next three hitters.
Chris Berman=Barnabas Collins
DARK SHADOWS!!!
Morneau should have had Mauer throw his
BP like they discussed earlier before it was a done deal that Morneau was participating. Vavra can’t find the strike zone, kindof like some of the Twins pitchers.
Morneau is so Minnesota Nice that he’ll buy the guy a car for screwing up.
back back back gone wow original for 14th time
Justin plants it in the upper deck. NY fans fart.
Didn’t realize Morneau liked the pitch that high. But I suppose Vavra would be the best judge of what Doc hits best.
He’s forcing his swings here.
Hamilton failed in the cluth twice tonight — the gold balls and the car.
Wow…he’s TIRED.
Morneau must be getting tired hope this doesn’t mess his swing up and he hits 4 HRs the rest of the year.. 
Vavra is crap tonight.
Hamilton failed in the cluth twice tonight — the gold balls and the car.
Oop. Now Hank don’t want him anymore. He’s already got that Rodriquez slouch dragging in the postseason.
cant blame it on vavra beacause he is getting outpitched by ol claybon
Hamilton will do it with only 4 outs.
I think Justin should have brought Livan to NYC to pitch for him.
wow Josh will beat Morneau before he reaches 2 outs!!
I think VAVRA told Morneau to take the ball the other way and hit for average..
The thing that bothers me about the whole Hamilton story is that it was a drug addiction. What about all the great players in the league who DIDN’T abuse drugs and took every advantage of their god given abilities. Good for him he overcame his problems but its not like he was diagnosed with cancer and battled that for years before returning to the league to dominate like he has.
It’s Win/Win here. Morneau wins we celebrate. Morneau looses and we can carry the Vavra hate through the ASG.
does everyone hate it when someone overcomes a trial in their life? let he who is without sin cast the 1st stone!
does everyone hate it when someone overcomes a trial in their life?
No. I hate it when the story is crammed down my throat with some of the WORST overhyping/kool-aid pouring annoucing ever.
I don’t hate him or his story i hate all the slobbering like he is gods greatest gift
LOL plenty of rubes on these blogs drink Twins koolaid for breakfast and you guys are calling out ESPN’s coverage of a REAL story? I am out…
guys are calling out ESPN’s coverage of a REAL story?
The story is the Home Run Derby. They haven’t called the thing all night.
OOOO, 7 outs already.
OOOO, 7 outs already.
On the seventh out he rested. He’ll still win this.
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! LETS GO MORNIE!!!
He was waiting for the Gold Ball. You know it.
AND THE DODGERS WIN THE PENNANT!!!
THE DODGERS WIN THE PENNANT!!!
THE DODGERS WIN THE PENNANT!!!!
OH MY!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PLAN THE PARADE!!!!
Wait…Morneau wins and they interview…HAMILTON!?
I’m a lumberjack and I’m Ok……
Morneausie just needs to bring that number of HR’s back to MN for the rest of the season and the Twins will be sipping champagne
They push Morneau off camera to interview Hamilton.
I can’t believe it.
AMEN JOSH!
3 clutch failures for Hamilton.
The man needs to be in a pennant race, not the Campus Crusade For Christ.
WOW!!! My invetment of tomorrows 7-11 coffee money made me 10 bucks
Wow. Could the announcers be any more disappointed that Morneau won? They hardly acknowledged his name. They haven’t even talked to the winner and are going to commercial first.
invetment=investment
WILLIE:
Dudly did right! ! !
yeah shoulda kept whitey out of it and put ichiro in instead what joke that shiat is!!
lefty, of the 8 guys that were in this…they only ever interviewed Hamilton.
I LOVE IT! Moreso that it was Morneau. I LOVE it when the ESPuNditS are forced to acknowledge something other than their script playing out.
They need the break here so they can look up who this Morneau guy is.
Oh snot, it was the Giants who won the pennant.
I tried….
That was rigged. Vavra was throwing him meat.
jason lol
the state farm guy called justin, jason!
Oh my god…the guy just called him ‘Jason’.
Justy should have put that 50 large on himself for winning the Derby. 5 to 1 odds.
lol what a joke
they waited so long for the trophy presentation that the stands were empty.
Jason Morneau beat Jess Hamilton.
god suck joshs diack already
Ha-ha-ha, ESPN.
Mornee-ee wins, Mornee-ee wins, Mornee-ee wins.
Sweet music.
First question: “Boy, how about Hamilton?”
C’mon Justin, smack her with the trophy. Stop being so dang modest.
…This is the most pathetic post game ever. Phil Kruk can actually say nobody will remember Justin Morneau years from now?
ESPN’s coverage has been horrendous.
Mudcat,
I got 7-1, and the final odds on Justin were 8-1
It will be fun when this scene is repeated in Octob…er, November when the under the radar Twins win the whole thing against the Chicago Goats. Series MVP? Adrian Beltre.
Fox will love that.
Here’s the worst thing. I can sit here and make these observations all night, and those outside Minnesota will just say “Well your sore because it was Morneau who won”
Which is entirely untrue. I was pissed about it before Morneau even took to the plate. It got WORSE once Hamilton started hitting, and it got WORSE after the contest.
Even the friggin’ post game clip show was all Hamilton. It’s like there wasn’t anybody else involved.
And then Kruk to have the audacity to say “Nobody will remember who won this in a few years…”
Yeah, because nobody knows who Morneau is.
i agree t its not about being homerish they just love the big market teams lol broaden your horizons lol
Tonight….ESPN sucked!
Wow, I knew it for a LONG time but tonight just proved it. ESPN has THE WORST commentators in sports. No love for Morneau what so ever. Ridiculous.
I am pretty outraged here. What the heck?! Not one single word of praise for Morneau THE ENTIRE TIME.
I hope Mauer gets a homer tomorrow just to further confuse and befuddle the ESPN announcers.
Is Texas even “big market”?
I have NOTHING against what Hamilton overcame (albeit self-imposed) to get here. And his homer show was INCREDIBLE.
But I tuned in to watch 8 guys play. What I got was the Josh Hamilton Show feat the 7 Dwarves.
I didn’t learn ANYTHING about the other 7 hitters (6 since I know who Morneau is), but I was learned that Hamilton was a fan of the heroin, and that atheists had a BAAAAD night.
Even Evan Longoria, who plays for the Tampa Ba(ndwagon)y Rays didn’t even draw a yawn from the annoucer crew.
The show started, they talked about everything but the hitters. Hamilton put on a show and then that was the theme for the night.
Capped off with the State Farm guy not even havnig the decency to learn the winners name (Jason…seriously?)
mlb and espn can take it in the tailpipe not asking morneau until after ichiro what a shame that is oh wait rick the dick thought all the whitey’s should sit on the bench, who cares about skin color sir top 8 most deserving should participate not more publicity ones.
Oh, and let’s not forget the absolutely GENIUS that was Riley tonight.
1) The “all white players” comment.
2) The heroin comment.
3) The atheist comment.
I don’t normally cringe when somebody says something stupid…but even MY brain hurt there.
t are questioning if texas is a big market?????
pretty sure it is man.
Justy was quoted last week about getting asked for the Derby. He said “maybe they’re asking the good players first.”
Maybe a little motivation there?
Right Drunk. The Cowboys don’t seem to be hurting too much.
I was thinking more on the national coverage scale. Texas usually flys under the radar (baseball wise)
The Cowboys and Packers are the Yankees of the NFL, but the Rangers?
well allow me to offer some sanity….
First, the story of the night was Hamilton…the only reason we have this silly exhibition is to watch bomb after bomb fly out of the park and Hamilton provided that in unprecedented fashion. So let’s not fault ESPN for covering the story. Heck, even Morneau knew that he was only awarded the trophy on a technicality.
Having said that, I feel awesome for Justin (who proved once again he is THE star of our club), who handled everything with class.
The same can’t be said for Rick Reilly and his asinine comments at the top of the telecast re: why is this guy even in the competition when there’s no black or hispanic contestant. What a jerk to make that statement…didn’t even cop to the egg on his face when it was all said and done, either.
Finally, Morneau may have done even better were it not for Joe Vavra’s 5:1 ball to strike ratio…
but hey, at least we get this trophy, if not the one that matters in October…
So let’s not fault ESPN for covering the story.
Cover the story when the event is over. Cover the event while the event is happening.
Ignoring the fact that Morneau was the one who eventually beat Hamilton (no technicality, the rules have been that way before either were involved in the league), the overall annoucing job was terrible.
They were talking up Hamilton all night. And barely paid attention to the other 7 hitters. So its not like everything suddenly changed when he put his 28 on the board.
We got Hamilton’s life story tonight. Morneau got called “Jason” for his troubles.
The other 6? Were there another 6?
ESPN rightfully ignored the other hitters after Hamilton hit 28 bombs–20 more than second place finishers–in Rd One…there was nothing unfair about that.
That dude calling him Jason was unacceptably embarrassing but he wasn’t from ESPN…shows why this thing is way too corporate and awkward…that dude should lose his CEO status for that screw up…as a guy who often gets called “Justin” throughout my life, I can tell you that’s insulting.
ESPN rightfully ignored the other hitters after Hamilton hit 28 bombs
Dude, they were ignoring the hitters before Hamilton. I was watching, I know. I commented on their “attitude” prior to Hamilton coming up even. See 7:43.
They were talking about the stadium, about Reggie, they were interviewing random players.
They didn’t talk about the other 7 guys BEFORE Hamilton came up. The only thing that changed was what they were talking about instead (Yankees/Yankee Stadium vs. Hamilton)
Overall it was a very poorly called contest. Especially with Berman and his ONE homerun call.
So much for the un-named odds maker.
PS: I’m pointing at my 7:43 comment because I want people to know that I was hating the ESPN annoucers before Morneau even took to the plate.
So much for the un-named odds maker!
I agree, the coverage was absolutely horrible…if it was hamilton that was up against morneau coming off 28 homers in round 1, they probly would have praised him for overcoming the odds of winning just like he overcame addiction, all they care about is making it into some amazing story, rather then giving someone credit for doing what it takes to win the contest…I wish they woulda had Dick Bremer in that booth
the announcers aren’t the best…agreed…but whether you like it or not, Hamilton was the story prior to, during, and subsequent to ‘the event’.
No one came into that competition with anywhere near the same compelling story as Josh Hamilton.
That said, I’m soooooo glad Morneau won!
Going into the event tonight, the storyline was the absence of A-Rod and Giambi. You can check the stories around the ‘Net ver verification on that one.
The story after the event will likely be Riley’s suspension (or at least fine) for comments made during the Derby.
I would love to subject the world to the utter nonsense which is the banter out of crazy Berts mouth and the inevitable awkward moment that follows as Dick tries to make sense of what was just said.
So, let’s say Hamilton goes into a slump coming out of the ASB.
Does ESPN suddenly declare the Derby to be a swing-breaker?
Okay, the Sportscenter coverage has started.
10 minutes into Derby coverage, no mention of who won. Heck, you’d think it was HAMILTON the way they’re discussing it.
It’d be funny if they covered an actual game this way too. Oh wait…they do. It’s called Yankees/Red Sox coverage.
Mr. Dragon, Congratulation!! Not bad for an old timer who knows nothing about baseball. J. S. Mosby would have been proud tonight, what with your “Grey Ghost” Victory. From one grey beard to another, thanks for the day/night brightener! A true doubleheader.
The only thing that bugs me about Josh Hamilton is that Matt Garza would have been enough…
That was an embarrassing display of “journalism” by ESPN. Hamilton is an amazing story and wow, what a 1st round, but he didn’t win!! Gotta love this country - you’re better off (as far as media is concerned) becoming a complete f**k up, cleaning up and redeeming yourself than to just live a good clean life and quietly going about your business from the get go.
Oh - and Rick Reilly has always been, and will always be, a grade A d-bag.
She shooed Morneau out of the way after he won the derby! Poor guy almost had to apologize for winning the thing. I’m surprised the crowd didn’t boo the little girl from the Boys and Girls Club.
How about some coverage of the other players who, you know, didn’t snort $5MM away? It’s a great story, but dude snorted $5MM away!!
I was hoping Jason -er- Joseph(?) would say something like “I’d like to thank my lord and savior SATAN for helping me win. Take that.” No one liked him anyhow, and no one was listening. They were too busy shutting down the lights and sweeping up.
During the awards ceremony they coulda at least piped in applause, you know, like they piped in “Rocky” when Jesus Hamilton was batting? What was that?!
Furthermore, thanks to throwing 90 pitches that 71-year-old pitcher is now out for the season…
Jason, you’re mixing up baseballs games with this Homer Derby.
When a Nolan Ryan strikes out 17 and loses 1-0, then the Nolan Ryan is the story….because we follow individual player efforts throughout a season because they enter into game strategies, etc.
But tonight’s event was the whole season for the Derby.
And Morneau was professionally prepared, he professionally performed, and he wasn’t the LOSER. He showed the big guy putting on a big show how to win.
And the big guy’s show fell flat. Not much of a show when it ends in a whimper.
Yes the Hamilton-Loser show was the big story. But it’second to the other big story — the steady, productive trophy-winning victory by what’s-his-name who won the whole season of the Derby tonight.
T, I’m glad I wasn’t the only person here disturbed by the atheist comment. I can’t comprehend the logic behind it at all. If god is swinging Josh Hamilton’s bat for him this year, isn’t that worse than the steroid cheats? (I won’t go into how his god probably has more pressing matters than a home run derby.) Josh’s is a great story; it shouldn’t be cheapened by diverting the credit from his hard work. I can only imagine how hard the addictions are to kick–nicotine is bad enough from my personal experience. Nevertheless, the coverage overall was pretty atrocious. Why did they do a Josh Hamilton interview while Justin batted the first round before Hamilton’s 28? I could almost see it afterwards in the second round because, as much as I was pulling for Justin, Hamilton’s 1st round was amazing. (Have they changed the rules for next year yet?)
Why on earth is Mauer in the 8 spot?
Jeter number 2 and Mauer 8! Are you kidding me!
So thanks to ESPN, here’s what I’ve learned.
In order to be a success in life, I shouldn’t keep clean or stay on the right path all the way through.
I need to get my hands dirty, do drugs, gamble, cheat, and steal…THEN come clean and find God (is he behind that tree?)
