July 14, 2008 marked the beginning of the summer break baseball most Major League Baseball players while the All Star Week began its run on July 11. The Home Run Derby was shown on ESPN in high-definition or standard def on satellite TV.
The 2008 All Star Games are being played for the last time in New York's Yankee Stadium. A new stadium is being constructed that will hold 51,000 seats. The new Yankee stadium is expected to be ready in time for the 2009 season. At a cost of $1.3 billion dollars the New York public is expecting the stadium to be outstanding.
Athletes in the Home Run Derby had a very close race in round one until Texas Ranger star and North Carolina native, Josh Hamilton, came to the plate. Josh's pitcher of choice was 71 year old Clay Counsil. Clay Counsil threw balls for Hamilton and his older brother during their high school years.
Josh Hamilton went on in the first round to hit a total of 28 home runs beating the 2005 record baseball Bobby Abreu who had a record 24. Prior to Hamilton to most runs in the first round were 8. With each hit the crowd became louder and louder cheering on Hamilton. The stadium was filled with emotion and awe of the 24 year old batter from the Carolinas. Fans cheered and shouted hoping for more up until the final out of the round. This amazing high-definition experience combined with the intensity of the crowd created an atmosphere unlike any other program on television at the time.
The second round featured Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins, Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros and Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers. Justin Morneau came out the victor and progressed to round three against Hamilton. To keep himself limber Hamilton hit a couple of runs after the second round.
In the final round, Justin Morneau hit five home runs to a subdued crowd. As Hamilton came to the plate the crowd jumped to their feet many bowing down this home run master. The stadium cheered on their home run hero but fatigue won out after the impressive first round run. Hamilton hit three home runs giving the win to Morneau.
Justin Morneau was gracious about his win after the incredible show that Hamilton gave to the crowd in this HD Home Run Derby. He credited the amazing home run display that Hamilton had and said that he just got lucky with his win in the final round.
The amazing story of Josh Hamilton's comeback to Major League Baseball after three years off made his 32 run total game an outstanding feat. Hamilton had a drug and alcohol problem which took him out of baseball for those three years. During his time off of drugs he became born again and completely free from drugs and alcohol. In his final words before walking off the field he said "I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" and gave the credit to Him for the performance of the evening.
Fans that walked away with a Hamilton home run ball or foul ball will cherish the memory. Morneau's victory will be remembered but Hamilton's performance will be in the record books and stories past down to generations to come.
The Home Run Derby was just one of the All Star offerings on ESPN HD. Immediately following the Home Run Derby the station broadcast the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game that played on July 13. FOX will air the All Star Game on July 15, 2008, at 8 p.m.
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