What’s His Name wins Home Run Derby
Posted on July 15th, 2008 – 12:13 AMBy Joe Christensen
NEW YORK — Well, the State Farm guy finally had Justin Morneau’s name right after the on-field, trophy presentation. At least he didn’t keep calling him “Jason” in the interview room after Morneau won the All-Star Home Run Derby.
A young girl named Tiffany Alvarez, from a local Boys & Girls Club, was paired with Morneau for the contest, and he won her $50,000. She thanked Morneau at the press conference.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “I’m glad we can help you guys out. Maybe I made one Twins fans out of this night.”
Best part of the press conference though, was when Tom Haudricourt, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said, “Justin, do you feel like you’ve pushed the U.S. Olympic team over Russia to No. 2 on the all-time upsets in sports history?”
Morneau leaned his head back and laughed. “I don’t know. Maybe. No, not even close. I think [Hamilton] just got tired. He was the one who put on a show tonight. I think everyone will remember Josh Hamilton’s 28 home runs more than they’ll remember I won the thing. I’m just glad I was a part of it.”
Note: For more on Morneau’s victory, as well as our All-Star preview package, please check out these links. I ventured out to Monument Park yesterday after the ballpark had cleared out from the Futures Game. I had never seen it before up close and figured this was my last shot. I think Tuesday’s pregame festivities are going to be a real memory.
269 Responses to "What’s His Name wins Home Run Derby"
I cannot believe Morneau is giving more credit to Josh Hamilton. I think the east coast/Texas/ESPN conspiracy against Minnesota has spread to the man himself, Justin Morneau! I recommend no one goes to bed tonight and to write your congressman.
another take on the lack of respect shown to Morneau after the HRD.
http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2008/07/weird-things-to-say-during-home-run.html
Thanks for posting that link. That was hilkarious and so true. Apparently to be a story if you aren’t a Yankee or Red Sox player is if you were a former drug addict and you turned yourself around. Good story but what happend to him was self induced. You should not be made to be a hero and a humongous story that it has been made out to be. I guess not getting into trouble is too boring of a story.
That was a great link. I love FJM, they are pretty clever guys and very good writers. This one is good too
Morneau seemed to be well prepared for all three rounds of the derby. Hamilton did not produce in the second and third rounds and lost because of it. ‘Jason’ won because he didn’t get caught up in the moment and did what he had to do.
A few things stuck out to me.
1. Rick Reilly saying he really questioned Morneau’s invitation and asked why only white guys were competing. Apparently, Rick only likes stories that have a little melodrama in them. That guy is a joke. Steve Rushin was by far the better writer for SI but Reilly got all the love because he found the sappier stories.
2. ESPN totally dismissing Morny in an interview immediately after he won. You could see him standing next to Hamilton and then Erin Andrews dismissing him. (At least he got close to Erin Andrews.) No worries though because he got interviewed when all the fans had left and the janitorial crew was cleaning up all the wet tissues from people who were so inspired by Hamilton’s amazing story.
3. When Hamilton said, “I just want to thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ” I couldn’t help but cringe. I mean, give me a break. It’s great if you have faith and I’ll never criticize that, but you becoming a drug addict and then recovering has nothing to do with God.
And then, of course, that schmuck calling Justin, “Jason”. Did anyone else see Erin Andrews’ face? It was a classic look of disbelief.
All in all though, that was an incredible display from Hamilton. The most amazing thing was that he made it look effortless.
Those were some of the longest HRs I will ever see in any format of baseball. I think I can consider Hamilton the favorite next year for sure. ESPN probably wouldn’t even invite Justin to next years HR derby if they had a say in it.
I can’t believe that nobody is also bringing up the fact that some espn writer with the broadcast openly questioned Morneau as even a choice for the event (even though he was clearly asked after sluggers like A-Rod turned them down), not for somewhat low HR numbers, but because he wasn’t black or hispanic. So not only does Justin have to apologize for beating Josh Hamilton but for also being a white Canadian with blonde hair and blue eyes!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3487832
This guy is a total A-hole to Justin and gives a bad name to sports journalism.
I’d say the most insulting part is everybody in the press mistaking Morneau’s humble attitude as that of apologizing or feeling like he shouldn’t have won. You know what? Morneau exemplifies the Minnesota Twins. He quietly goes about his business and doesn’t yell; “look at me, look at me” like most players. I will take the quiet, humble Morneau over anybody else. Meanwhile, Morneau will take the HR Derby Trophy and “quietly” put it next to his MVP Trophy. Then he’ll get back to work playing baseball.
Patrick,
Rick Reilly got his political correctness wish fulfilled come when Milton Bradley was named as the American League’s starting DH…what a !@#$%’ing joke! The guy tries to kill Ryan Lefebvre and makes a complete assclown out of himself trying to steal some spotlight during Hamilton’s HR Derby at-bats, and he’s rewarded for his unstable conduct just because of his race.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8341540
This guy actually did a great job when writing about the HR Derby. Great Article.
Just posted this on the previous blog:
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.
And the other big story is ESPN’s total amateur journalism by failing to transition to the real story (what’s his names’s victory) from the erstwhile story (Hamilton hitting tons of HR’s on his way to becoming the loser.)
And yet another big story is people, like Jason, gobbling it all up like kids watching the Disney channel.
C’mon guys, this HR derby thing is a total mock up for ESPN to get their ratings. Is anyone really suprised that Morneau got no love after winning? Did he get love when he EARNED the MVP? Helped the Twins to multiple playoff appearances? Single-handedly put the team on his back the last three weeks? Even in the era of 24 hour sports, it’s amazing the ignorance of these so-called “national media experts” (read: Morgan, Olney, Reilly, etc.)
On the other hand, Morneau made me proud to be a Twins fan for a two reasons:
1. He hit the freaking crap out of the ball. I knew the man had power, but WOW!
2. He knew the moment wasn’t for him, but for Josh Hamilton in a media-created frenzy. Being gracious even in victor is not only the Minnesota way, but the way of a true sportsman.
I’ll be wearing my Morneau shirt again today–great job Justin!
That’s why I can barely watch ESPN…plus the mute button does wonders!
Typical Twins: Out hit, homered, … and still walking away with the win.
Thanks Justin. That’s all; just wanted to pass on a thank you.
Why in the world at the end of the competition did Erin Andrews interview Josh Hamilton BEFORE Morneau? What a flat out insult that was to Morneau! I realize that Hamilton put on a hitting clinic in the 1st round, but that was in the 1st round, that was over with. He lost the competition, yet they choose to interview him before the winner. What a disgrace that the former heroin addict who loses the competition gets to be interviewed first…and then to make it worse he pulls out the old religion card which is even more of a joke. Leave it to Morneau to show a lot of class…..more class than was warranted towards Hamilton that’s for sure.
yep, the HR derby is a sham the rules need to be tweaked so total HRs wins it. Hamilton hit more HRs in the 1st round then Morneau did the entire night!!! 28 - 22 come people get off the MN sports inferiority complex!! I didn’t think Jayson Starks column was such a slap at Morneau he was just telling it like it is.. next year at this time will anyone remember that Morneau won in 2008??
“I’m glad we can help you guys out. Maybe I made one Twins fans out of this night.”
I love this comment…it’s so unlike a pro athlete.
Take that! Guy who said “Justin doesn’t deserve to be there at the derby.” Talk about irony then he goes on to win the thing.
If anyone has TIVO, they should definitely go back and look at Erin Andrews’ reaction when the State Farm guy says “Jason”. It really was priceless. I agree with comments regarding ESPN’s classless reporting. However, at least Chris Berman attempted to give some credit to Morneau saying something like, “In typical Justin Morneau fashion, he shows up, takes care of business, and humble wins”. I think Berman is the only one who could feel the lack of Morneau respect.
congrats Justin Morneau, but…Erin Andrews, lookin good
Justin Morneau is all class.
@ Macleod
That’s one of the most intelligent comments I’ve read on a Strib board. Well said.
first he was told he didn’t belong there by one of the commentators, then they barely anounced any of his HRs until it was apparent he was in the second round, then he gets snubbed at the post derby interview and then no one can pronounce his name at the check and trophy presentation. I don’t think we have any inferiority, we are just calling it like we see it. The east coasters can’t seem to understand how a hard working, consistent player can be good at anything. That seems like a strecth for me too.
Morneau not only showed off his hitting skills, he also showed he has more class than anybody else that was covering the event.
I agree with Andy, Berman is the only person who really put it in perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zEuCAXLJ_U
Here’s Erin Andrews’ reaction to Justin being called Jason. Pretty funny.
Does anybody else find the whole “prophetic dream” thing a bit hard to swallow?
Especially when the first time we hear about it is while he’s sitting at the Press Box after being asked to participate?
This just in, I totally had a dream about the Twins trading for Delmon Young. This was WAY back before he even entered the league. Or before anybody knew he existed.
Yeah, I’m only saying it now…but that’s because I didn’t think anything of it. Not because I’m just making it up because I’m a media hog.
Hey, Fire V&G, it’s not like Hamilton didn’t know the rules going in. Maybe you’d like it if teams that won more games in the regular season had those carry over to the playoffs. Or teams that win the Division Series and LCS in fewer games get head start in the World Series. As long as everyone knows what they’re getting into ahead of time, the format works just fine. This was just one of those year’s where consistency won out over the big show.
I don’t think we have any inferiority.
You’re right. We don’t. People will say we do because it’s Morneau that got snubbed, but I was reading comments last night…and before Hamilton even got to the plate in the first round people were noticing the horrible annoucing crew, and the overall lack of interest.
Which is incredibly ironic, since one of the stories going in was “Gee whiz, do you think any of the fans will care?”
Well we got our answer. The fans cared, but the annoucers sure as hell seemed like there were places they’d rather be.
congrats Justin Morneau, but…Erin Andrews, lookin good
Rachel Nicholes > Erin Andrews.
Also, in typical ESPN fashion…we’ll likely have a format change next year. Just like ESPN was able to force the new “It Counts” policy by overhyping the tie. And how they were able to force the instant replay policy by overhyping a series of missed calls *coughinNewYorkcough*
Total lack of respect for Justin Morneau. I expect it from most of the ESPN announcers, but Jayson Stark, come on? If this had happened where a Red Sox or Yankee had won, Josh Hamiliton would be a rumor today.
true is Morneau didn’t deserve to be there. MLB tried to get alot more worthy players but they all turned the HR derby down.. are you telling me Morneau is a better HR hitter then A-rod or Vlad? Justin took advantage of the opportunity and made the most of it, but even he admitted he didn’t deserve to be there and that really Josh Hamilton was the story… he is not bitter or holding any grudges so let’s move on…yeesh
tortoise and the hare!
162 game season, one game at a time all those happy cliches.
did anyone think erin andrews looked (albiet hot) really out of place walking around the field in high heels?
the real hero was joe vavra for his great pitching, gardy could maybe use him in the 8th instead of bass sometimes!
I thought Erin Andrews looked nice in her “Swiss Miss” outfit.
Agreed. Why is it always the people who screwed up their lives who find Jesus? Then try to impose Jesus on those of us who didnt screw up? I am Christian and those values helped me shun bad behavior, so dont tell me anything. Let me tell you something!
ESPN is horrible. Its the TMZ of sports. They interviewed someone throughout Morneau’s first at bat, then dismiss him after he wins to interview a guy who nearly threw away a chance to play a game for a living by shooting heroin.
I hate ESPN.
Everyone knows the Derby was fixed. Vavra was afraid to pitch Justin I mean Jason inside.
I would have walked him like Leyland does.
First the guy said Morneau shouldn’t have been included and that it was some kind of conspiracy agains African Americans, then (I think it was the same guy) after talking about Hamilton’s finding Jesus said this dinger: “It’s a bad night for atheists.” Was I dreaming or did anyone else hear that?
what does everyone think of PUNTO??
Justin did have class. And your right Andy, I think Berman was the only one that wanted to give him any credit. Erin Andrews is a dizz. She may look nice in front of the camera, but if she didn’t have her cheet sheet in front of her I don’t think she would have even remember Justin’s name. Even if she did say it wrong.
I was upset from Justin’s first round. All the guys were white And Rick Reilly waits until Justin gets up and starts saying where are all the other guys. I don’t like this choice. We have some great hitters, why is Justin batting. Kiss my ass Rick. You were quiet the rest of the night. Even during Justin’s first round they are talking about race. Then his second round Reggie is talking about one of his homeruns the whole time, quietly Justin is smacking the crap out of the ball and moving on. ESPN writers are just pissed because they guys they picked to move on didn’t. They could take a lesson from Justin on class.
If ESPN had its way, there would only be Yankees and Red Sox in the derby.
What is with all of the Josh Hamilton hate, guys? Did you even watch the Derby? He was truly amazing, and his blasts were monumental. Morneau was right when he said that Hamilton stole the night, because he put on an amazing performance.
Either you’re all blinded by your Twins fandom, or blinded by your aversion to “Christians”. Either way, get over it. Hamilton was pretty amazing last night.
And I’m also happy for Morneau. His not being invited until the last minute, MLB disparaged for asking him, and then he wins, like George Mason U.
the amazing thing is espn didn’t run red sox-yankee highlights while jason was hitting. the guy made a honest mistake he assumed that it was jason tyner and not whats his name.
so the truth comes out we have some Christian bigots… Josh was not telling you all to go repent during the commercial breaks.. he was simply telling his story, which none of you can dismiss or deny.. the power of God’s grace literally saved him.. it brings hope for all who are enslaved to addictions(and they do need hope)
Just to let you know I don’t think anyone is bashing Josh. I think they want respect for Justin. And if you would like to send a friendly “white” comment to this ass who was wondering why Justin was in the thing in the first place. Here is the link.
http://sports.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=Rick+Reilly+&page=espn
If any place is lacking Christian charity it is this blog, with its relentless attacks on Carl Pohlad, Ron Gardenhire, Joe Vavra, and Nick Punto.
Can you “dismiss or deny” that?
the only attack targets I have seen today are Christians, Josh Hamilton, ESPN
I love these Twins!!! Morneau- man, you are my hero!! Thanks for a great night! Good luck in the game tonight! Same to Mauer and Nathan.
fire you always exemplify the christian way, never heard a bad word come from you! well done.
Justin Morneau’s win last night is no different than a 162 game schedule in baseball. You don’t go to the play-offs because you had a great first half of the season. It’s about pacing yourself and being consistent over whole season. Should it be total homeruns that decides the winner…Maybe…but that’s not how last nights contest was set up, so Justin won by the rules of the homerun derby. I have a question. Can only white men join the Kiwanis? And why was that statement not considered racial if they can? ESPN sucks!!!
Yes, he is a great example. His name alone provides us with a hope of togetherness and makes me want to understand him more, I love the fact that he believes there is so much bashing going on and all he wants to do IS FIRE GARDY AND VAVRA. Please.
Looks to me like two winners last night… Josh Hamilton seems like a great guy. His teamates love him and getting his life together and finding God — good for him.
Justin, though… All he did is play by the rules, do his best and win. You can’t fault him for that. Even in victory (that almost seemed like defeat), he was nothing but pure class; deferring to Josh and “what a great year he’s having”. This from a former MVP and the guy kickin’ a$$ in BA and RBIs again this year.
I’ve always liked Justin, but not a huge fan. Well, watching him mature in his role and become the player and leader he has become. Count me as a HUGE fan now!!!
FIRE:
“what does everyone think of PUNTO??”
Don’t try to change the subject!
What do you think of Vavra NOW!
that’s what i thought!
ggg - big difference between commenting on a players/managers/GM/Owners performance in the silly eternally irrelevant realm of sports and litterally hating someone because they dared mention God’s power impacted their life..
I am a sinner and most definitely do not reflect God’s light like I should you are right on the money there.. but let’s remember none of us can perfectly do that I comment on this blog as we all do because we love sports and specifically the Twins.. will any of it matter when we die? nope.. but when a young man like Hamilton honestly tells his story why tear him down for it? it’s what happened to him whether you agree with his religion or life choices or not.. but don’t deny the hope that is there..
No one is bashing god, or Josh. So its ok to bash players /managers/GM’s and owners, I could be wrong but I thought Josh was a player. I am bashing the guy on ESPN that pointed out we only had white players. No one else. Josh did well, no one is denying that. You are trying to make something out of nothing. I have peace with my god. Good luck with yours.
Milton Bradley made an effort to get a better image in the public eye last night. Good job of fleecing the public MB.
JIMMY BEE:
I missed that. What did Bradley say or do?
The reality is that the news media, sportcasters included, make the news what it is. Hamilton did a fantastic thing - a great accomplishment and we do not need to minimize that. But the media had an opportunity to celebrate two guys here. One who is humble enough to say he was there because of the grace of God which allowed him to overcome self impose adversity and the other to who was humble enough to share the credit for the night, but who in any case won because of steadfast determination to do his best even when the odds were against him. Go Justin and congrats Josh. You are both winners in my books and both of your accomplishments should be noted and celebrated.
Most of you rubes who get upset when you hear atheletes give credit to God or Jesus have it all wrong. They don’t give credit to God for winning or beating anyone else, they give credit for the opportunity to play, participate in a game that they love, the strength to overcome additctions, etc. Get it straight.
Stacy you must be new to the blog I have kept my moniker since I started posting regardless of whether Gardy and Vavra are doing a good job or not to be consistent and for identification purposes.. I have continued to give credit when due to both of them and honestly the jury is out on whether getting rid of VAVRA would significantly help change the entire Twin’s org hitting philosphy right done to the players they draft…
Oops, don’t mean to laugh. Again.
I am glad that Justin won the thing, but way too much discussion & about an event that is as much of a competition as is the celebrity softball game; arguing whether or not Hamilton deserved to win or whether or not Morneau was shun by the press is like arguing whether or not Billy Crystal’s throw beat Dave Winfield on first base…
just an exhibition that is based on unfair parameters (i.e. every hitter has a different pitcher) that is way over exaggerated…
Gosh, people don’t hide your personal feelings on national TV —-
Not only did Justin win the Derby Trophy, he won the “Winner With the Most Class Trophy”.
I could not believe the bimbo from ESPN totally ignoring him. However, she was no worse than the ignoramouos who called him Jason, or the racist who lamented the ‘all white” competition, or the nitwit announcer who said, “Mr. Hamilton is a real role model”. For whom??
ESPN you did a real diservice to yourselves, the sport, but most of all to the fans.
Jaycee
On a different note……….. Vai Sikahema played Home Run Derby on Jose Canseco’s head:
Stacy - I never mentioned you by name nor implied that you specifically were bashing Josh or God. My comments suggest others have if you scroll up and read the comments you will see.
Jaycee:
You got it right there. Bimbo was the first name that came to my mind when I saw her running around aimlessly trying to interview guys. She totally blew it. I know TMZ err, I mean ESPN isn’t into admitting it’s wrong, but they should come out and admit they screwed a big moment up big time.
You are right on, Jaycee. I’m glad he got over his “troubles” and everything, but I don’t have a lot of tolerance for Sports celebrities and Rock Stars who “changed.”
Number one priority is get straight even if it means giving up the high stress occupation FOREVER. There will always be another All-Star/All-Pro to take your place.
Yes, it was a joke. But the important thing here, is that it was a fun time for the fans and I think for the players too. I was glad that Josh and Jason, I mean Justin did a great job. It will be fun to see if either of them get a homerun tonight. I would really like to see Joe doe well and Jeter to strike out a couple of times.
Mudcat Milton Bradley was just basically trying to be a comical towel boy to Hamilton. He totally fleeced the crowd with his comedy act. The guy is 100 percent certifiably nutz.
Mudcat, you contradicted yourself. You say you are ‘glad he got over his troubles’ and then you say you don’t have any tolerance for it? It’s one or the other.
Mudcat are you jealous of Sports Celebrites and “rock stars” life styles? or just feel that the changes these people make are phony because they continue in their careers even after the changes?
Fire V&G,
Just like a typical idiot who goes on a website just to try and make people mad - when someone totally makes a disgrace of your argument that Hamilton should have won because he hit more in the first round, you can’t come back and try to argue that you just write some senseless garbage to try and make people mad instead of admitting that the rules are the rules and that your argument was totally off-base. But, hey, I wouldn’t expect much more from you.
Wow lots of tension on the board this morning, looks like I logged on at the wrong time…
It’s a good thing that Hamilton switched from injecting heroin to injecting performance enhancing drugs or we wouldn’t have been able to watch him break the record for most H$R’s in a single round.
The real story that should be getting written is david beating goliath. Justin morneau showed, took care of business, slow and steady wins the race, and all other analogies that are used by sportscasters when convenient. Hamilton is a remarkable story, and that first round will be remembered a long, long time, but come on. Morneau still beat him in the round taht counts.
If the Yankees were to sweep the Twins in the regular season and then we sweep them in the ALCS would reporters be saying yeah but the yankees are the “real” winners because they beat them more times overall? Actually with the idiots running espn we probably would.
thrylos98 says:
July 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I am glad that Justin won the thing, but way too much discussion & about an event that is as much of a competition as is the celebrity softball game;
Thank you. Finally someone with a sense of perspective. This is glorified batting practice, with a 71 year old man lobbing 62-mph gopher balls (Why don’t they just set up a tee? That would make it more equal). Calling Hamilton’s Vulgar Display of Power one of the greatest sports events ever is a reach of epic proportions. Why don’t they set up a camera crew and have these goofs go hem and haw over Tiger on the driving range. That would be only slightly less insulting to the intelligence of those of us who appreciate a true sports competition.
Everyone’s jumping down the State Farm guys throat…yeah he called him Jason, not Justin. Give the guy a break, though, he’s not a “professional” like Erin Andrews, he was probably trying not to soil himself on live TV.
Number one priority is to get your life straight. I meant nothing else.
Jeff - no need to get personal -
1)I was not saying that Hamilton should have won based on the current rules
2)I was saying the rules should be tweaked so that total HRs wins it
3)if anyone gets mad about my senseless garbage it is their choice to get mad I cannot make anyone get mad, everyone choose how to react
4)this blog is for us to make opinion comments - no one is going to get 100% agreement on what they say or think nor should we expect that
5)Jeff I expect you to not agree with any of what I said
Mudcat I think Josh did get his life straight so what’s the problem??
Did anyone think the old man was going to have a stroke at any point during Hamilton’s at bat
MIXMASTER:
You are right on all points. But at least ESPN admits this isn’t Habitat for Humanity, they give the most publicity to areas that make them the most money.
mixmasterb,
I was thinking similar to the hypothetical situation you described. Last night on ESPN.com plenty of idiots were demanding the Justin give up his trophy that he “didn’t win,” that he should be ashamed for taking it. Just stupid.
Like your scenario, everything in sports comes down to who gets the big “W” and who goes away with the big “L.”
I personally think this whole thing was just botched by ESPN and moronic fans. I’m glad Justin won, but with the exposure the Twins get I’d have been happy to have him even get 2nd. It was a great show and ESPN totally blew it and made it pretty obvious they don’t give a damn about Minnesota. They seemed to know what size jock strap Hamilton wore in high school but couldn’t get our slugger’s name right.
Dumb New Yorkers are probably still mad at Morneau for the year that he beat out Jeter for the MVP award
Justin “Jason” Morneau is all class. Fu** ESPN and all other media for not givin credit where it’s due. As if it’s Justin’s fault that he was not a crack whore drug addict who fu**ed up real bad and then had his ’savior and lord jesus christ to thank’. So people, if you quietly do your job and win things, you are doing it wrong. Make sure you are real fuc*** up and people will start rooting for you…fuc* the other guy who does it right at the end of the day, right? That apparently is the lesson being learned from all the hamilton coverage here. Oh and also, we’ll see what these same group of people have to say when it comes out that Hamilton’s been juicing…..will that be a bad day to be an atheiest too, you goda*n media morons?
The whole thing goes to show the Twins are the Rodney Dangerfields of baseball. No matter what they do, they will get ‘no respect’. I’m glad our guys have the class to remain humble and focused when bypassed so often.
BTW - where are Hunter and Santana tonight?
Fire V&G,
You are right I shouldn’t have gotten personal. I just felt like you were purposely writing comments to get under people’s skin, i.e., PUNTO?? As for the rules - Hamilton knew the rules before hand and wasn’t able to sustain the homeruns. I will be the first to admit the first round was incredible, but the last two were far from incredible. Almost every sporting event “starts over” for the finals and I don’t see why that is a bad thing. It makes you concentrate on all rounds, not just get by on one hot streak - but that’s just my opinion.
Makif, learn some proper grammar and vocabulary, go back to your 6th grade friends and grow up. There is no room for language like that on this blog. ..and don’t give me that ‘freedom of speech’ crap, either.
Funny thing is Morneau came out saying he really would rather not be in the HR derby but if he’s asked he’d do it. So it’s not like he was begging to get in.
EVERYONE knew the rules before getting in so to “Blow your load” in the 1st round is pretty stupid if you’re looking to win. Let’s not forget Justin beat out all the other guys who “Deserved to be there” and Hamilton in the round that mattered if you want to win it.
Josh had a crazy 1st round and it was real fun to watch. I thought he hit one out of Yankee Stadium over that white Fence but it was hard to tell because of the color of the fence
Oh and FIRE VAVRA & GARDY do you really think Vavra is the one preaching the hitting philosophy? It’s been like this for years!! He’s paid to enforce it
true Jeff from an endurance standpoint Hamilton fizzed out he didn’t play it smart.. in reality it is just a fun “contest” not life and death
SF SD T F,
Very true, Twins get no respect. They’re not the “sexy” teams that ESPN wants to cover. And now that they lost Santana, ESPN has no reason to even acknowledge us once a week. I just wish we’d get another big punch in our lineup so we could slap around the AL EAST teams for good and knock them out of the playoffs for once.
When you think about it, and I know I’m not the first to say this, but nobody outside the East gets covered much at all. As good as the Twins are doing, I’m even more surprised at the lack of White Sox coverage. They won the whole thing back in ‘05 and have a solid team this year but can’t crack ESPN’s bias. On the surface, it looks like the Rays are an underdog team getting lots of press, but ESPN only does it because it makes their Red Sox and Yankees look better when they surpass the Rays.
scroll up “call me stupid” I wrote canning VAVRA would probably not change much since it is a Twin’s org. approach all the way down to drafting the hitters
It just isn’t fair how all the media is totally ignoring the fact that Justin won it all at the end of the day!! Hamilton this, Hamilton that…well, what happened to him in the last 2 rounds? In sports, a hot streak means nothing…the end result is what matters, and Jason…I mean, Justin…just had a steady thing going on, nothing too exciting, and wins it! Give him some credit, seriously!!!! I hate the media, and I hate those guys covering the game last night…what a bunch of biased morons…….if this was a Red Sox or a Yankee player, this would have been a totally different story.
It’s a home run derby, not a real event. This is like getting upset about the NBA slam dunk competition. Hamilton hit some huge bombs during the final year of the “House that Ruth Built and Steinbrenner Blew Up,” so of course everyone will remember that. He had the story background and produced during the first round. Morneau got paid for going, and even made an insurance guy look like an idiot in the process. I guess I would rather be worried about the Twins continuing to compete with the White Sox and finding away to keep the cheap ownership from trading Nathan if they fall out of the race.
Dude, if ESPN wanted to air one of their piece of crap “Sportcenter Specials” about Josh Hamilton last night, I could have changed over to ESPN2 and watched the home run derby.
This way, contestants who have never been crackheads and are still good at baseball (MVPs- Morneau 1, Hamilton 0.. Derby Crowns Morneau 1, Hamilton 0 etc) would maybe get their due.
I think its great what Hamilton is doing, truly. But we gotta settle down at least a little bit.
Yeah the media is in danger of ruining a good story in Josh Hamilton. The guy legitimately turned around a horrible lifestlye and is now a premier AL hitter, but if the media doesn’t stop relating EVERYTHING to that, it’s gonna get old.
The other media thing making me want to leave the game tonight on mute is all this crap about the last time in historic Yankee Stadium. I love baseball and I love history, yes that stadium has tons of history and contributions to the game, but shut up all ready!! So annoying how everything has to revolve around that!
It’s like if some guy in the 16th row of section 202 spills his beer and bag of peanuts, all the ESPN morons will proclaim “and how significant that this fan spills his beer in the last All-Star game played in Yankee Stadium. It is truly priceless.”
ESPN definately catered to the human interest angle. Nevertheless, the human interest story was about a guy who overcame a hurdle that he himself placed in front of him. Now, the Red Sox Pitcher and Lance Armstrong………THAT was a hurdle to overcome! ! !
Ironic that Rick Reilly would berate the race/complexion of the competitors while sitting on a panel of WHITE GUYS!
In other news, Morneau proves he is a class act and worthy of another MVP title. Great Job, Jas… er, Justin.
Give the guy a break, though, he’s not a “professional” like Erin Andrews
When your one job all night long is to congratulate the winner…it’s probably a good idea to make sure you know his name.
Oh well, at least he didn’t call him Josh.
And I don’t give any grief to Andrews for going to Hamilton and pushing Morneau out of the way. She’s got a bug in her ear that tells her who to talk to, she just points the mic and lets the person talk.
Justin/Jason was interviewed on ESPN. He said it seemed kind of unfair that John or Jess or Josh, whatever, aw who cares, didn’t win because he had more total homers, but that was the rules and he’ll take it!
Justin Hamilton.
There, I said it.
HAN GAN:
Rick Reilly=Jimmy the Greek? ? ?
Geez,
You guys need to lighten up. You sound like Rodney Dangerfield: “I can’t get no respect.”
Point 1: Ignore round 2. Hamilton only took 4 of his 10 allowed out since he had already secured a place in the finals.
Point 2: If Morneau had hit 28 HRs in the first round (and some real bombs at that) and lost, the story would have been the same with different names. There’s no anti-Minnesota conspiracy going on here… it’s just that Hamilton’s first round was one of the best displays of power hitting most people have ever seen. And, at the end of the day, the HR Derby is entertainment… it’s not the World Series which is all about winning.
The untold story: Joe Vavra pitched like crap last night. Justin had to take more pitches than anybody and he still swung at balls he had no chance to hit homers on. Maybe that’s how the Twins hitters are learning patience. Vavra can’t throw the ball where he wants in BP.
finally some sanity on this blog is emerging!!
CMATH:
Justy should have given Vavra the hook and brought in Brian Bass. Just IMHO.
Mudcat: I personally think Juan Rincon would have been a better choice….lol
I will say one, thing that old man sure could whiz them in there for a 71 year old
I had to work, so I did the old fashioned thing, and dusted off the VCR (can’t afford TIVO)… and I just got done watching it.
Reilly is so off line. I know I brought up how the Twins signed their WHITE players, and let Hunter, and Santana, Silva, and Castillo go the other day, and received a lot of flack, but with the Home Run derby… Arod was asked, Howard was asked, Pujols was asked… they all turned it down.
I would like to see Vladimir Guererro in a HR contest… you guys want to see bombs bursting in mid-air. When he was with Montreal I saw him hit a ball that bounced 445 ft to dead center field, and I watched him BO JACKSON a ball one handed over the leftfield fence. He is still the unsung enigma… even as a “star” most people don’t even know about him.
Justin Morneau was treated without class, and without respect by nESPN (New England Sports Network). ESPN has become a freaking joke. Boston winning a world Series, an NBA Title, and the Tom Brady Bunch… it’s like the 7th, 8th, and 9th sign of the apocolypse of sports. The only thing that could throw those pieces of filth would be for the Cubs to win the world series this year. That would be like a Tsunami hitting Boston Harbor, and I kind of think of that as a good thing… as long as it goes all the way down to Bristol…
Just sickening. Good for Josh Hamilton… I have a TON of his rookie cards that are in storage with common cards because of his drugs… I may have to dust them off, and see if Ebay is a friend… lol.
Check out the Twins Midseason Awards Show… good stuff!
http://media.myfoxtwincities.com/livestream/webcast/archive.htm
If anyone is interested in submitting there comments to Rick Reilly of ESPN (the commentator who suggested Justin Morneau should not have been included in the home run derby), you can send it to http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/mailbagESPN?event_id=20928
Did anyone notice that when Hamilton was interviewed he never acknowledged Morneau winning it? I thought that showed an exceptional lack of class.
Well at least Vavra is good for something.
I think it would be far better to ignore Reily - if rubes start commenting in droves ESPN will think this guy is generating interest and want to keep him.. better to leave him in the cold and silent
What I cant understand about athletes thanking god for their achievements is that there was no mystical being helping those homers go 500ft, it was all him, it was always in him. Hamilton shouldn’t be thanking jesus, he should be thanking himself for having the power and will to kick the drugs and bring himself to where he is.
And on a side note, if Rick Reilly really did say “it’s a bad night to be an atheist.” He should be fired, but considering that no ones seems to care when people take shots at atheists I doubt it will happen. If he had said “it’s a bad night to be Jewish.” He would have been escorted out by security two minutes later.
ES16: I noticed that too! And yes, while I understand that the derby really means nothing in relation to the actual season, it was kind of classless for him to not mention Morneau (or anybody else) at all. I mean c’mon, if you were that good (he is amazing), it would have been a walk in the park for you to seal the deal, right? Oh well, maybe I am just always looking for the Minnesota niceness in everybody….
Yeah good point. Hamilton seems like a good guy, but he should have realized that hey, they’re interviewing me and not the champ, and said “first off I want to congratulate Justin Morneau.”
He had his opportunity but didn’t. Justin sang Hamilton’s praises all night but Hamilton couldn’t even congratulate the guy that beat him.
The Twins were on FOX on Saturday against the Tigers. Fittingly, the faceless Morneau is apparently on a faceless team as well. Announcer Dick Stockton said that nobody is even talking about the Twins. That’s what happens when you’re in flyover land.
Hamilton probably thought that he’s got it for sure….well, i guess he learned that all that crack hasn’t helped his stamina…….
Rick Reilly is a moron. I am an atheist, and I don’t care if people have their own belief or not..whatever works for you, works for you. But I mean c’mon, why would you say something like that rick reilly? you are just so ignorant and dumb…how did this guy get where he is now? What is wrong with ESPN??
BigB: Mysticism lies within. Those who believe credit God for their lives, their being, their strength, their will to live and create and be the best they can be, indeed their very breath. Those who do not believe seem incapable of opening their minds to this.
BigB, scroll up and read my post from an hour or so ago. When atheletes give credit to God it isn’t for helping their HR’s go over 500 feet or for helping them win or beat anyone. It’s for the opportunity to play, to have the strength to do so, to overcome addictions, etc. If you would think a little about this - do people overcome additions by themselves? No way. In your defense, as an athiest, you won’t understand that.
You know, the need for people to believe in something, vs. not just blindly beliving in something but rather look at actual facts…this should be a whole different topic on a different blog 
I like the fact that no one is talking about the Twins. How ironic they play Texas next. That is a good point though. Josh didn’t say a nice thing about Justin winning it. He could have at least said congrats. But I blame the blond bimbo on that because he pushed Justin out of the way and she should have had them both in on that interview. By the time they got to Justin, even the announcers were packing their things up.
makif - you helped open this can of worms with your disgusting language and hateful attacks on Christians - you suddenly find out your are in the minority and you want to make it all go away - consider this: when you die you will either be right or be in the worst place imaginable forever
Oh I see how it is cmathewson and Plunkton, more atheist bashing. You a** holes dont seem to think that an atheist can achieve anything because they don’t have god. Well you know what I am an atheist and I overcame addiction, and I have made something of my life and I did it without begging jebus’s forgiveness. I may not be able to hit a ball 500ft, but the three diplomas on my wall are just as impressive.
Oh no here we go again.
The big market bias of baseball makes me sick. Morneau starting behind Youkilis in the All Star game is a joke. Morneau is statistically better in every way offensively and only marginally less defensively. Morneau won the Derby because he wasn’t totally spent in the 3rd round. He is a former MVP. And why the hell is Hamilton a better person somehow because he used to be a complete loser drug addict a-hole. Morneau has been a good person his whole life. I’d rather my kids took after that than a dude with issues and ridiculous tatoos on his forearms.
Jason Hamilton=Chicago White Sox
Justin Morneau=Minnesota Twins
Sox leading, for NOW!
Twins take home the hardware!
(knock on wood)
(knock on keyboard!)
God doesn’t believe in atheists
BigB…congratulations on your diplomas.
While I was in Houston in 1998, I remember watching Mark McGuire slam some balls over 500 feet a dozen times… steriods do wonders and kill you. BTW, the Astrodome was one difficult place to hit long balls and Mark sure clobbered them out of total site and to the far reaches of the Astrodome - simply unbelieveable to experience!!
STACY:
I’m in total agreement. The first time Jason Hamilton comes to bat next Friday, he should get beaned!
Ooooo, that’s a little cruel! Do like Jim Leyland would do and intentionally walk him!
Ok this is getting off baseball and what Justin did. Too much for me. Bye!
Mudcat I agree! Ha Ha Ha
BigB…you completely missed my point. My point was that an athiest does not understand the things of God because an athiest has no belief in God. No need for hostility on here.
FIRE VAVRA & GARDY—I did not start any bashing, actually it was you who started it. I merely stated the fact that this blog is not for religious discussions, and I believe I also mentioned that I don’t care who is religious and who is atheist..it does not matter.
Yes, discussing the actual facts and logic is a totally different story…but once again, this is not the blog for it.
okay seriously though…I wouldn’t be surprised if down the road we find out that hamilton’s juicing….
BTW - The Houston slams were during pre-game BP. But nontheless he send them into “orbit!” What a site to see!
makif here are your disgusting statements you are not dodging this BOX - “As if it’s Justin’s fault that he was not a crack whore drug addict who —- up real bad and then had his ’savior and lord jesus christ to thank’…..Oh and also, we’ll see what these same group of people have to say when it comes out that Hamilton’s been juicing…..will that be a bad day to be an atheiest too”
Yeah the Morneau vs. Youkilis argument comes down to the East coast bias of ESPN showing the Red Sox and Yankees all the time, and Red Sox Bandwagon Nation voting for their team, not the best players.
Joe Mauer had a narrow victory over Jason Varitek because of the Bandwagon Nation. I think Mike Redmond would deserve to start over Varitek at this point in the season. Now Red Sox fans are pointing out on ESPN.com message boards that the players voted Varitek in, not the fans, but their biased voting almost put him in the starter’s spot.
Did you read the whole thing, you moron? First off, I was quoting Hamilton. And the second one, I was talking about the jackoff rick reilly. Why are you getting so worked up? jeez…go get something better to do than looking for people to bash on.
Speaking of McGwire and juicing, are Steroids addictive?
DAN:
Isn’t Redmon batting about .300?
Varitek is, I dunno, about .200?
Oh, if forgot! He handles pitchers well.
“you moron? First off, I was quoting Hamilton. And the second one, I was talking about the jackoff rick reilly. Why are you getting so worked up?”
Who is getting worked up?
Not me!
Mudcat, forgive me for being confused, but I can’t read the emotion in the text, are you arguing with me or agreeing with me?
BigB. A touch sensitive aren’t we? I just said that you seem incapable of grasping the concept of faith. I didn’t say you seemed incapable of anything. I personally believe faith is a gift and it is against my religion to lord it over anyone. I’m thankful I have it, but please forgive me if my words in any way made it seem like I’m superior to you in any way. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The main featured article on ESPN.com is still the article making a huge deal of Josh Hamilton and how he lost to the lowly Justin Morneau. Do they have to continue to keep burying Morneau’s achievement? This is one time I wish they’d go back to Brett Favre coverage just to take some heat off Morneau.
Are we really talking about religion on here? Sheesh.
Let’s all relax.
Who wants to talk about the second half?!?!
Hamilton juicing? Wow. You do know that because of his past with drugs, his urine is tested three times a week?
As far as Youkilis vs. Morneau, here’s their lines at the ASB. Do you know who is who? .323/.391/14HR/55R/68RBI vs. .314/.381/14HR/56R/63RBI. Other considerations: Youkilis started out hot; Morneau is just getting hot and the All Star voting is done over a period of time, not just the day before the break. Youkilis is also a Gold Glover who last year set a major-league record for most consecutive games by a first baseman without an error; Morneau is a … umm… work in progress. Or do Twins fans not care about defense?
Twins Fan in SoCal,
There was an incident recently, I don’t remember who, where a player had a broken bat in a game and it was found to be corked. He talked it off as an honest mistake, he grabbed one of his batting practice bats in error, sorry. I have less respect for the BP balls.
Sorry: the second player actually has 15HRs, not 14.
DAN:
I don’t remember. The devil made me do it.
M: the first one’s Morneau, isn’t it?
M:
There is a 41 year old Olynpian who made the Olympics several times that people are questioning. She said “Give me any test you want, I’ll take it.”
Now they are saying the detection methods lag behind the New and Improved Drugs (sorry craig). Maybe they both have Whizzinators.
M says- “Morneau is a … umm… work in progress. Or do Twins fans not care about defense?”
Apparently you don’t watch any Twins games. I’m not saying Youkillis isn’t good and I have no problem with him starting the AS game, but Morneau is a stellar defender. He’s not quite as good Youk, but he’s no slouch.
I am now hoping for a Twins/Brewers World Series. Imagine that. Would ESPN even send anyone to cover it?
Where else can a contrived ESPN circus cause heated arguments about religion and potitics?
What a country!!
Morneau has what - 2 errors on the year - one due to a broken glove and the other one Casilla should have made the play on?
Maybe if he was having an affair with Madonna people would at least get his name right!
Morneaus has made some radical improvements from a couple years ago…
Hamilton juicing? It’s one explanation for how a guy could be a couch potato injecting heroine into his veins every day for two and a half years without even working out and then, after 18 months of the straight and narrow, he’s The Natural.
I prefer the other possible explanation: He’s just extraordinarily gifted, so when he finally got on the straight and narrow, he fulfilled his enormous potential.
Makif: Yes, the first one is Morneau. They’re both obviously having great first halves; personally I think Morneau’s first half is better… the only stat that Youkilis is leading is HRs (and a small edge in steals) but my point is that the two are closer than Twins fans probably think they are. And if everyone voted today, Morneau could well be the starter… but people vote over the course of a month or more.
Mudcat: Yah, I remember Marion Jones. But I see no reason to think that Josh Hamilton is on steroids.
weclome sane to the “the world screwed MN again” whine and cry circus show.. along with a touch of heavenly realm debate
“Maybe if he was having an affair with Madonna people would at least get his name right!”
Certainly!
It would be Mr. Madonna.
only really dumb people use steriods any more because they test for it now. anyone wanting to juice is using something they don’t test for and as soon as they have a test for that they switch to something else.
anybody that wants to enhance their performance will find a way around the test and if somebody gets caught it’s because they aren’t real bright.
did barry bonds ever fail a test? the mlb testing is far behind the backroom science, but it looks good and they can say they’re trying.
We can argue that Minnesota and our players, teams never get the respect they deserve, which is generally true. We are hard working, humble, honest people who know what life is about and that is enough for us. Let’s be proud of guys like Morneau, Mauer, Nathan who have things in perspective and enjoy life and all it’s opportunities.
sane what ever happened to the days of Wally Joyner and Brian Downing. One other thing is who would win in a fight Albert Belle or Milton Bradley, and how?
Okay- I can put up with the Josh Hamilton hype for a short time. Great- the guy kicked drugs, and made something decent of himself. But like so many commenters before me, ESPN needs to GET OVER IT! The guy had a dismal final round, and lost. Go to the ESPN.com website. Only once on the front page is Morneau’s name mentioned- and I challenge you to find it! Josh Hamilton’s name and pictures are EVERYWHERE. The caption to the main picture doesn’t even mention that he LOST. Maybe ESPN should cover Morneau because he’s worked really hard to get where he’s at, without abusing drugs. Shame on you, ESPN. But congratulations, Justin- you’re a great (and very classy) ball player- all Twins fans are proud!
Sorry- I should have said: But like so many commenters before me have said, ESPN…
I remember growing up watching Bob Boone and callling him Baboon
Anyone remember Bobby Grich
JAY:
You’re not gonna like this. Jason Hamilton was Juicin’! Some little kid was bringing him juice during his at bats. Manny Ramirez’ kid or somebody.
He had the kid give Jason Hamilton the Juice during his at bats! Maybe Juicy Juice, who knows!
JIMMY BEE:
Did you think Jose Canseco would only last 1:37 in his fight?
hahahaha…juicy juice…hahahaha
I suppose that could explain his 28 HR round… (Which does deserve merit)
Juicy Juice…
Seems to me that Circle Me Bert signs should be replaced with Circle the HRD Winner signs during the Texas series.
I admire Hamilton’s comeback and I do think his performance was THE story of the night - but the disrespect heaped on Justin was uncalled for and unprofessional.
Well put Reezee
There’s no anti-Minnesota conspiracy going on here…
Your ignoring the basis of most people’s complaints. The annoucers were terrible BEFORE Hamilton’s display.
The “all white” comment was made before Hamilton, the discussion that Morneau shouldn’t be there was before Hamilton.
During Uggla’s AB, the annoucers were genuinely into it…but in subsequent ABs (before Hamilton) they showed a general disinterest (including Evan Longoria, who also has a pretty interesting story)
They talked about Reggie Jackson, they talked about Yankee Stadium, they talked about the Captain’s Room….then Hamilton got up, did his thing, and they shifted gears to him the rest of the night.
Their job that night was to call the Home Run Derby. They did everything BUT that before and after Hamilton’s display. The only difference before and after was what they were talking about instead of the 8 guys on the field.
Remember the pounding Ali took from Foreman in the early rounds of their famous “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire? Nobody credits surley George with kicking the crap out of Ali, only the great “Rope A Dope” strategy that won out in the end. Here’s to Justin for being smart.
“but the disrespect heaped on Justin was uncalled for and unprofessional.”
The alternate name for ESPN is “Unprofessional r’ Us”.
T,
Sure, but I watched (but didn’t really listen to) the whole broadcast of the HR Derby and it was pretty yawn before Hamilton. There’s a spike of excitement in the beginning, but then after every guy hits about 5-8 out, it wasn’t that interesting. So my guess is the ESPN guys were trying to get in their Yankee Stadium tidbits (the whole ASG build-up, not just the HRB, has centered around this being the last season of Yankee Stadium). So when Hamilton came up and crushed shot after shot, it was the first genuinely interesting thing in the Derby. He really did murder them… he averaged 445 feet a HR in that first round. And after that, the coverage was going to be all about Hamilton unless someone else came up and cranked over 20.
But that’s not an anti-Minnesota conspiracy. That’s ESPN continuing the sell job of ASG/Yankee Stadium that they’ve been doing for the past couple of months followed by a great story that developed during the competition. That has nothing to do with Minnesota or the Twins specifically. As I said earlier, if Morneau had hit 28 in the first round, only to lose in the finals, the story would have been about Morneau. The press follows the story… not the other way around.
M.
“…if Morneau had hit 28 in the first round, only to lose in the finals, the story would have been about Morneau.”
I tend to disagree- you may be right, but I think that the press has a tendancy to side toward the dramatic, and a story about a recovering drug addict is more dramatic than one about a quiet Canadian boy…
I guess what I think is that Hamilton’s performance was legendary- but Morneau won. The story should be the performance, not the past lives of the players. Sure, his story could be a sidebar, but not the focus of the whole night.
well said M. though I doubt that will stem the “MN sports inferiority complex” here
So if you do heroin, which is a completely illegal drug, then disregard your God-given talent to pursue a life of drugs, but then you stop taking heroin, and you come back to hit towering homeruns, you are a hero and an inspiration. But if you do HGH, which is a legal drug, trying to maximize your talent to help your team and city win championships, but you stop taking HGH, and you have the most home runs of all time, you are a villian and can’t even land on a baseball team. Yeah, go America.
Well put, AJ Pesh.
REEZEE:
I think we should just keep the Derby results quiet ’till after Friday when the Rangers leave town. We got a pennant to win, we don’t need to give them any extra motivation. Just IMHO.
There’s a crucial difference you’re ignoring AJ Pesh: the HGH helped you on your way to maximizing your talent; the heroin hinders you.
For a straight-forward metaphor, think of it this way: two racers compete in the 100-yard dash in different years and both win golds. It turns out one was shading the start line by starting out 99 yards away from the finish, the other was shading the start line by starting out 101 yards away. Who makes the better “hero”?
Underpinning all of this, of course, is that America loves the story of a person who admits their mistakes and undergoes a redemption: it’s a very Christian, New Testament kind of thing. But the person who refuses to admit that they ever made a mistake has never sought absolution and so America continues to regard them with distaste.
AJ Pesh But if you do HGH, which is a legal drug, trying to maximize your talent to help your team and city win championships, but you stop taking HGH, and you have the most home runs of all time, you are a villian and can’t even land on a baseball team. Yeah, go America.
Stop it you are making me want to throw up at work. I think if you feel that way you should contact Frank Robinson. I can’t take this much BS. Barry only cared about Barry or Jeff Kent would have stayed there and they would have had a chance. Barry only cares about Barry.
Or if you want to get really Biblical, you can read the story of the Prodigal Son. His brother felt that he didn’t get enough praise, either.
I am a huge Twins fan and a huge Morneau fan and I went into watching this hoping that he would win it. But as the first round unfolded I was AMAZED by Hamilton’s performance. It was one of the fun amazing shows I’ve seen in a long time and I have no problem with them giving him the press, the interviews and all of the glory. Yeah Justin won, but the HRD is about giving a show to the fans, not about winning a championship…and that’s what Hamilton did. If you take Hamilton out of the Derby and replaced him with another guy who hits 8 in the first round…the whole derby would have been kind of boring. But Josh Hamilton’s performance made this something I will remember for years. So, I have no problem what so ever about how the media handled it.
Maybe heroin enhances your baseball talent also? I’ll wait for studies to show it doesn’t.
Good point, AJ
Does anyone know if Kevin Mitchell and Barry Bonds played in Frisco at the same time. All of a sudden Kevin Mitchell could have broken Maris’ record one year but the strike got in the way. Hmmm….
“if Morneau had hit 28 in the first round, only to lose in the finals, the story would have been about Morneau.”
If it was a Yankee or BSox player that won the HRD over Hamilton, my guess is that the player would not have been ignored (and then some) like Justin was.
I meant your first point about being a hero, not about heroin enhancing your baseball talent.
Len Bias’ coach said, if used right, it can make you a better player. I heard him say it.
Len died.
The derby is kind of meaningless but good for Justin. I thought he handled everything with class.
using heroin is an addiction
using steroids is cheating
In no way shape or form are they similiar
“I think everybody here will remember Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs more than they’ll remember I won the thing.”
Obviously, Morneau has been incorporated into the anti-Minnesota sports conspiracy. He should spend more time talking about his victory.
Timothy Leary said “the ingestion of psychedelic drugs helps you to reach new realms of consciousness” but i doubt it would help you hit a curve ball.
But I think the point is that he is being treated like a hero because he “beat” the addiction, whereas we have someone like Morneau who never fell to the temptations, but is just being ignored. I understand it’s a better story, blah blah blah, but why can’t we look up to someone like Morneau just once - someone who handles himself the right way, with class and dignity.
I don’t mean to minimize what Hamilton went through and his homeruns were amazing, but just give Morneau is due.
Most of these posts have been just like Morneau, all class. There is nothing wrong with asking, even demanding, respect for our guy. Most of the posts have not insulted Hamilton, but we also want “our” just do. I loved the entire derby. I loved Hamilton’s show in the first round. I loved the fact that Morneau won, because he was winning it via the Twins way. Steady and down to business. Morneau has the respect of his teammates, and clearly, the respect of Twins fans. I would take that everytime over one night of the “awe” of ESPN chuckle heads and Yankee fans.
Here’s an interesting idea. Sport’s Science did a test on a Boxer to see if abstaining make him a better boxer. Precise results were obtained while abstaining. Then they told him to do the hotchy botchy with the wife all night and took more tests.
The resluts were the same. Oops, “results”. Musta been getting a little excited.
I don’t buy that ESPN doesn’t give the Twins any love.A couple of years ago they did a whole Web Gem segment on the entire Twins starting line up.Gammons and others are constantly praising the Twins for doing things “the right way”. And this year I think Kruk has developed a man crush On of all people,Nick Punto (must be his Philly roots),that’s got to be killing about 90% of the bloggers here.And the Twins in the past four or five years have had as many if not more National games as any other medium Market team.
The Fact of the matter is Josh Hamilton WAS the story last night,even in defeat.And Justin Morneau was gracious and classy enough to say so.I agree with one of the comments above,both Hamilton and Morneau were winners last night,in what is essentially a made for TV event.
Having said that Rick Rielly truely disgraced himself last night and some- one from ESPN should have the balls to take him to the carpet on his “racial” comment.The only reason Morneau agreed to participate was because most of the other big name players,including African Americans and Latinos,declined to do so.If Rielly had done even a modicum of prep work before opening his pie hole, he would have known that.
Mudcat hotchy botchy is a truly funny word
“In no way shape or form are they similiar”
Well… they’re both drugs so they are similar in shape AND form. They both require a conscious decision by the user to engage them. They’re both incredibly bad for you physically.
One is illegal and one is not. One makes you better at baseball and one greatly increases your risk of dying. One is a HUGE problem that our government does nothing about and one is a less urgent problem which the government forms committees over and interferes with a private business because of.
You make Bonds out to be the villain but really, I’d rather have my kid taking HGH than heroin.
Yeah, Bonds is a jerk and he should have come clean a long time ago, but his transgressions pale in comparison to Hamilton’s. If you don’t see the racism here you’re not looking hard enough.
Doug Munson says: “A couple of years ago they did a whole Web Gem segment on the entire Twins starting line up.”
Er… they did that for every team in baseball.
I don’t think Morneau really cared if he didn’t get more recognition he knew Hamilton stole the show and even admitted it.
You’re right BC. I just heard the interview with Morneau on ESPN and he said it was the Jason Hamilton Show.
(i call him jason, justy doesn’t)
Patrick you ever heard of Lyle Alzado. Also Bonds is not the only player that is having actions taken against him. Baseball must be prejudice towards Roger Clemens.
Patrick- ESPN did it first in 2001 for the Twins, when they got of to that hot start.ESPN followed up a couple of years later by doing one on every team.The point is the Twins get plenty of respect from ESPN.The Minnesota inferiority complex/conspiracy theory doesn’t work for last nights coverage IMO.
If you think the treatment of Barry Bonds is racism, then let me direct you to the treatment of Daryl Strawberry.
“Yeah, Bonds is a jerk and he should have come clean a long time ago, but his transgressions pale in comparison to Hamilton’s. If you don’t see the racism here you’re not looking hard enough.” so we should look hard enough to make up racial divides that are not there like Rick Reily did?
Big Helmet was/is never a race issue it is a ego/jerk issue
Has Ric reilly received his suspension notice yet?
Patrick I’d rather have my kid taking HGH than heroin.
I will not talk about this subject any longer. You must not have ever seen when Lyle Alzado lost one hundred and fourty pounds and basically died in front of everyone and national media from using steroids.
it is a race issue justin is canadian and no red, white and blue true american likes the whimpy canadians. on top of that he played hockey and espn hates hockey. minnesotans tolerate canadians because we are as close to being canadian as possible and we like hockey (most of us).
espn and the east coast media are biased against canucks and really biased against the french speaking canucks a double whammy, case closed.
worst possible comb is a french speaking canadian hockey player eating french fries and drinking a molson. boy how un-american is that!!
“ I started taking anabolic steroids in 1969 and never stopped. It was addicting, mentally addicting. Now I’m sick, and I’m scared. Ninety percent of the athletes I know are on the stuff. We’re not born to be 300 lbs or jump 30ft. But all the time I was taking steroids, I knew they were making me play better. I became very violent on the field and off it. I did things only crazy people do. Once a guy sideswiped my car and I beat the hell out of him. Now look at me. My hair’s gone, I wobble when I walk and have to hold on to someone for support, and I have trouble remembering things. My last wish? That no one else ever dies this way.”[2] ”
Alzado is buried at River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon[3]
jimmy bee it’s just hate for a player covered up by this bogus “HGH is o.k. nonsense”..
Hey mudcat i can just imagine how upset Justin was. When he got back to his hotel he changed clothes went out to a party and ran into some hot chick who mentioned how great he was in the derby he takes her back to his hotel where lots of hotchy potchy insues. He comes back home puts the trophy n his mantle and says to himslef ya that was a good night. God i hate baseball players.
BC did you hear they are making a brand new Hunter S Thompson movie staring Johnny Depp coming soon.
should I just start posting as Lyle Alzado BC
Jimmy - Not that I think either are OK or right - but you need to get a better understanding of HGH and steroids. They are not the same thing. Again, I don’t condone either, but HGH is much less harmful than steroids.
Jeff
Alzado was using natural growth hormone, harvested from human corpses, as opposed to synthetic growth hormones. However, shortly before his death, Alzado recounted his steroid abuse in an article in Sports Illustrated. He said:
Jeff you forget Morneau had plenty of stories written about him during his MVP season.. this time and place Hamilton is the story.. tomorrow it will be someone else.. Morneau has had his due and media hype
I’m not a big believer in the Minnesota conspiracy, believe me, but most of the stories I remember reading during the MVP season had to do with how Jeter had the MVP stolen from him and how much Jeter deserved it. But really it doesn’t bother me. ESPN is on the east coast, they have way more people, etc, etc - so I would expect them to cover the east coast more. Just don’t pretend that Morneau gets as much coverage as he would if he played for the Yankees.
jimmy i did hear about that i can’t wait.
Jeff there is no conspiracy but there’s definetly an east coast bias and we all know that will never change.
BC time to give Dr Lazlo a call.
The funny thing about last night is you can tell there’s a big differance between guys like Hamilton,Uggla and Utley even Braun compared to Justin. Those guys are all from down south were they can play baseball all year round and have obviously spent a lot more time in the batting cages then Justin.
“The Minnesota inferiority complex/conspiracy theory doesn’t work for last nights coverage IMO.”
It doesn’t in my opinion either. I just think it was shoddy coverage in general, not with a particular disregard for all things Minnesota.
And I didn’t realize the Twins had their own web gem section back in ‘01.
BC of ND -
What in the heck are you talking about? You’ve got to come in from the heat. Turn on the air conditioning. Drink some water. I think you’re having heat stroke.
“it is a race issue justin is canadian and no red, white and blue true american likes the whimpy canadians. on top of that he played hockey and espn hates hockey. minnesotans tolerate canadians because we are as close to being canadian as possible and we like hockey (most of us).
espn and the east coast media are biased against canucks and really biased against the french speaking canucks a double whammy, case closed.
worst possible comb is a french speaking canadian hockey player eating french fries and drinking a molson. boy how un-american is that!!”
Haha, perfect.
Canada, America’s hat.
ES16 maybe I am having heat stroke but didn’t you notice how effortless all there HR’s were compared to Justins? I think Justin is easly as strong as Hamilton and has just as good an eye but his stroke is way more polished IMO.
Fire-You give credit when credit is due in regards to Gardy and Vavra.Aren’t we taking ourselves a tad to seriously,buster?You are only mad that Vavra was pitching to Justin.You are definately a “legion in your own mind”.
As we learned, the broadcasters last night didn’t know much, but I believe it was Berman and possibly someone else, but they made the exact opposite argument as you, BC. They commented on how effortless and steady his swing was and that is the only reason they gave him a chance. At lease I think I remember a comment like that.
Fire Vavra and Gardy-”jimmy bee it’s just hate for a player covered up by this bogus “HGH is o.k. nonsense”..
Come on, no need to exaggerate. I never said that and I don’t think any PEDS are ok. All I’m saying is there’s a double standard.
I’m glad Hamilton is clean and I’m glad he’s successful. I take issue with parading that success around as the work of God and the fact that, because he’s a recovering addict and his prodigious talent, he’s considered a hero. It’s a joke. His talent and oppurtunity should have been enough to keep him clean from the beginning but he felt sorry for himself after a car accident, fell in with the wrong crowd, and gave into peer pressure to do drugs.
In no way am I saying that addiction is always avoidable or that the addicts themselves are to blame, only that someone with his life and his gifts practically throwing them away is the worst kind of arrogance.
BC of ND,
Nobody makes it to the big league level without years of practice. Sometimes you have to connect your brain to your fingers when you type.
From a bio on Justin Morneau:
A spirited coach, [Justin’s father] was also a devout baseball player and fan. Audra had a baseball pedigree, too. Her maternal grandfather, Nelson Turner, played minor league ball in the U.S. By her own right, she was a nasty right-handed softball pitcher and a strong hitter.
Justin’s parents introduced him to baseball early in his development. At the age of two, he had a Wiffle Ball bat in his hands and was taking batting practice. From the start, the youngster threw right-handed and hit left-handed. He learned baseball where most children learn, spending countless hours in the backyard with his brother and his father.
When Geordie started kindergarten, Justin lost his best buddy. He got a wonderful gift a short time later when his father bought a sporting goods store—and not just any sporting goods store, but one with a batting cage. Because they didn’t have to pony up the $5 for a bucket of balls, the Morneau boys were in heaven. Free equipment came in the deal, too.
Also, you maybe didn’t mean batting cages, but batting cages can be put indoors as they are normally just a 100′ (or around there) by about 15′ area covered by a net. We used to have a batting cage set up in our gym and we would hit in there during the winters, so it is possible to use that year round in the North, but if you were meaning actual batting practice, then yes he would have to go down south to do that.
BC of ND -
What does the smoothness of a player’s swing have to do with growing up in the south or in Canada? I think you pulled that one out of your Brian Bass.
Someone the other day called Gardy fat. The Spanish word for fat is Gordo Sounds very similiar. Could bve called Gordy but I don’t think he is really to fat in my opinion
“I think you pulled that one out of your Brian Bass.”
I like that.
New Blog for Joe C
“Nobody makes it to the big league level without years of practice. Sometimes you have to connect your brain to your fingers when you type.”
Ok i guess my eyes must have decieved me then because little Dan Uggla looked like he had a much better swing then Justin.
Why was Adam Dunn not in the HRD?
“What does the smoothness of a player’s swing have to do with growing up in the south or in Canada? ”
Your right ES a kid from SoCal has no advantage over a kid from Canada that’s why the next Wayne Gretzky will be coming from Compton.
Patrick-
Agreed on ESPNs overall coverage of last night.But what could we expect with Boomer,Joe Morgan, and Rick Rielly?!!
BC of ND –
You still aren’t making sense. Kids play baseball in Canada. Whereas, kids don’t play much hockey in southern California, so what does the next Wayne Gretzky have to do with it? You make it sound like Morneau spend 10 months of the year in a log cabin, buried in snow, and never had a chance to swing a bat.
BC:
(i have heard that about him, i don’t believe it)
Fire V&G, you must not have a job or a hobby (aside from christian fundamentalism and just being combative and argumentative in every form).
A lot of people are sensitive to comments like those Reilly made (I’m not defending his Athiest comment nor his “what’s with all the white guys”). Some can’t see the satire that I’m sure was intended. He came off sounding like an a$$. He reminded me of Don Imus. Rick Reilly should face on the larger scale some kind of uproar. Cripe, even Bert Blylen had to pay a fine for slipping the Fword.
Justin Morneau, to all those that are important, (his fans and family) showed what a winner is. Humble, capable, and classy.
ES what im saying is kids who grow up down south have the opportunity to play baseball year round where as kids from northern climates do not. Obviously the more you play something the better you get thats all i’m saying.
BC I played all year long growing up in Cali
thanks jimmy and am i being an idiot here or did it not look like Josh was playing ping pong compared to Justin?
BC it is a huge advantage to grow up in So-Cal or a southern climate (especially So-Cal) and play all year long. HUGE ADVANTAGE. Morneau seemed to hit line drive HR’s and Hamilton hit more of towering shots.
Awful announcers.
Incredible spectacle by Hamilton, even Morneau had to acknowledge it. Kudos to Yankees fans for chanting Hamilton’s name. It was a great sports moment. If you can’t see that or recognize then nothing else to say.
100% class by Morneau. I’m so proud to be a Twins fan and have him and players like Nathan and Mauer represent our team. Thats what I’m going to focus on from last night. Anything else is a waste of energy and diminishes the moment. Best HR derby I’ve ever seen.
JP-spot on about the class of Justin,Joe and Joe and how proud we are to have these class guys representing us.I’m not sure how much class we have represented on this board!
I’m suprised no one has mentioned yet that they actually had Reggie Jackson AND Joe Morgan on the same set! I actually felt the earth tilt from all the ego shifting to one exact locale.
Geno, All I know is as fans you can’t be worse then the Yankees fans. They showed why last night when Morneau won.
Their are few real heroes in the world today.For overcoming his deamons,Josh Hamilton is a true hero!
That doesn’t qualify as a hero to me. Firefighters etc. are the real heros.
Another snub for Morneau on FOX. No mention of the homerun title last night during introductions for the All Star Game. Hamilton gets a big entrance. Geez…………..
Interesting… Morneau wins HR Derby… Hamilton is introduced as the hero — Morneau’s feat doesn’t even merit mention
Nora-anyone who can set an example for kids that if he can beat drugs,so can they.Since drugs can be the downfall of us as a society,any highly visable a guy as Hamilton showing that drugs can be beat is more important than hitting a baseball!
Yeah, I was wondering if I just missed it, but I don’t believe I’ve heard ANY mention of Morneau winning the derby. It’s like the announcers are all a bunch of sulking 8 year olds.
What does everyone think about TEN … TEN …little “African American” punks beating up ONE 41 year old man at ValleyFair in front of his wife and two young children????
You cannot comment on it anywhere else in this piece of crap organization.
Nancy Barnes and her staff are human flotsam. They deserve their … 75% loss from McClatchey to Avista and the total loss of the shitrag Strib.
That’s my opinion.
10 “African Americans youths beat up one white father.
Is that a hate crime?
TURN THAT AROUND!
Nancy Barnes is a piece of shit to rule that we cannot comment on news stories. Typical. Gutless. Leftist. Swill.
She’s obviously sucking Harte’s minute cock.
If eight or nine white guys beat up a BLACK father of two children leaving Valleyfair … Nancy Barnes would be OVULATING.
Why is the Star Trib not modding comments? I really don’t want to come on here and read profane, racist, and off-topic comments from ArneFufkin. Ban his IP address.
