A year ago following the ridiculousness of Justin Morneau winning the Home Run Derby when the only person anyone remembers is Josh Hamilton's amazing effort, Small White Ball had enough and decided to present our ways to fix the Home Run Derby. Sadly, none of our changes have made the cut but we'll press on every year until something changes. Yes, we realize we're complaining about a exhibition, but there's a reason people watch, a reason there are major sponsors attached and a reason why ESPN airs the show in primetime. So take a few minutes out of your day and click here for our July 2008 post, "The SWB Proposal For Fixing The Home Run Derby."Josh Nason is the main writer and publisher of Small White Ball, a New England-based sports and media blog on the MVN Network. He can be reached at josh [at] smallwhiteball [dot-com].
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Via Twinkie Talk
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July 15, 2009
Big shock, Morneau started the AB 0-2:
Via FanHouse
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July 13, 2009
by Jeff FletcherFiled under: Rangers, MLB All-Star GameST. LOUIS -- When the Home Run Derby begins on Monday night, there is certain to be a lot of talk about the guy who isn't in it, a guy who, by the way, has never even won it.A year after Josh Hamilton put on a display that has become the defining moment of his career, whalloping 35 homers in the Derby at Yankee Stadium, he...
Via Sign on San Diego
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July 14, 2009
Justin Morneau's advice to Home Run Derby contestants is to take your sweet time. The Padres' Adrian Gonzalez competed, however, as if he were late for a bus.
Via Warming Glow
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July 13, 2009
WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:
MLB Home Run Derby (ESPN) — Last year’s exhibibition became the highlight of the All-Star break when human-interest story Josh Hamilton hit a record gazillion home runs in a single turn at bat. No such excitement will happen tonight, but you can hope.
Dance Your Ass Off (Oxygen) — The ten remaining contestants take [...]
Via dallasnews.com
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July 13, 2009
Today makes me think about Josh Hamilton's memorable Home Run Derby last year. I think there's little chance anything tonight could top that. Simply amazing stuff at Yankee Stadium.
Click here for the highlights of all 28 homers. It's 8 minutes, but it's worth it. Enjoy!
Do you remember where you were for Hamilton's homers? That has to be one of the top memorable...
Via Walkoff Walk
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July 15, 2009
For whatever reason, Canada's national anthem was not performed live before the All Star Game last night. Major League Baseball decided that a perfect counterpoint to bland Sheryl Crow's rendition of "Let's Go Kick Some Ass, U-S-A" would be a canned, military band recording of "O, Canada, Keep Sending Us Your Comedians and Hockey Players" blared out...
Via Star Tribune
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July 13, 2009
Twins standouts Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan have a combined 10 appearances in the All-Star Game.
Via Baseball Musings
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July 14, 2009
Jayson Werth makes a great catch in centerfield off the bat of Justin Morneau as Francisco Rodriguez retires the side in order. Mariano Rivera comes on to try to preserve the 4-3 AL lead.
Update: Justin Upton grounds out to shortstop, Bartlett making a strong throw for the out. One down.
Via Midwest Sports Fans
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July 13, 2009
Last year's Home Run Derby was incredible, thanks to the magical performance put on by Josh Hamilton. Can Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder or one of the other 2009 participants do anything similar? Probably not.
Still, the NL field of Home Run Derby participants -- especially Pujols in front of his home fans -- has the potential to make tonight's festivities worth watching.
Via dallasnews.com
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July 13, 2009
He'll have a chance tonight in the Home Run Derby. I, for one, can't wait to see this. Everyone talks about Josh Hamilton's batting practice. And it is cool to watch. But Nelson Cruz can also put on a show in BP. I predict he'll surprise a few folks tonight.
If he does, it will be as a long shot. Several sites, including this one, list Cruz with the next to longest...
Via MSNBC
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July 14, 2009
July 14: American League All Stars like Derek Jeter and Josh Hamilton like the chance to interact with fans and play with other stars. (NBC Sports)
Via dallasnews.com
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July 13, 2009
The lineups have been announced by Major League Baseball. Here they are:
American League
Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Seattle
Derek Jeter, SS, New York
Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota
Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York
Jason Bay, LF, Boston
Josh Hamilton, CF, Texas
Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay
Aaron Hill, 2B, Toronto
Roy Halladay, P, Toronto
National League
Hanley Ramirez, Florida, SS
Chase Utley, 2B...
Via Bleacher Report
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July 14, 2009
The Texas Rangers knew they could be here. But did they know they would be here?
After 89 games, the Rangers rest with a record of 48-39, 1.5 games back of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
To add to this feat, the Rangers have accomplished this while having 2008 wonder-boy Josh Hamilton miss 47 of those games due to injury. The pitching staff, which has a 4.34 ERA, more than a...
Original Story:
http://smallwhiteball.com/2009/07/swb...
