MLB 2008 Home Run Derby Notes

Posted on July 14th, 2008 by The Truth

The Home Run Derby is tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN at Yankee Stadium and eight All-Stars are in this year’s competition.

A few things to note:

Of the eight competitors, only Lance Berkman and Justin Morneau have participated in a past Home Run Derby. Morneau did it last year in San Francisco (won by Vladimir Guerrero). He lost in a five-pitch playoff to Albert Pujols in the first round. Berkman is competing in his fourth career Derby. He’s never won, but he came close in 2004 when Miguel Tejada (then with Baltimore) won with a late charge.

Besides Josh Hamilton, the other competitors include: Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria and Cleveland outfielder Grady Sizemore.

Longoria is the sixth rookie to ever compete in the Derby and comes in with 16 career homers. Hamilton has the next fewest career homers of any participant at 40.

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