There's your All-Star Week Most Valuable Player if they only gave out such an award. Justin Morneau not only won the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday night, but then he slid before the tag to score the walk-off winning run in the 15th inning of one of the greatest All-Star Games ever played. Congrats to Justin.

Joe Mauer started an All-Star Game behind the plate for the first time thanks to all those Twins Territory supporters who pushed him past Jason Varitek in the final weeks of the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Ballot. He walked his first time up and then reached first on an infield single before giving way to pinch-runner Ian Kinsler. Congrats to Joe.

Joe Nathan was one of those relievers who Terry Francona almost wished he could have kept on the mound a lot longer. He was the sixth of all 12 American League pitchers used, replacing Justin Duchscherer from the A's for the seventh inning. Ryan Braun went down swinging, and then Nate McLouth and Russell Martin each flied out to Grady Sizemore in center. Perfect inning. Sound familiar, Twins fans? Congrats to Joe.

It was an unforgettable week, seeing Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and St. Paul native Paul Molitor in their Red Carpet Parade trucks flowing up Sixth Avenue for more than a million spectators, seeing Morneau beat Josh Hamilton and then graciously praise the Rangers' slugger for that record performance, seeing the Hall of Fame Celebration during All-Star introductions, and then seeing the three Twins representatives play such big roles in another Midsummer Classic that will not only be remembered but might have just given your Twins HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE at the Metrodome this October!

During the introduction of the reserves.

 

Sheryl Crow and photos of Joe Nathan and Joe Mauer before the pregame started.

Here is a photo of Twins legend and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew talking with two of today's All-Stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

Harmon told Mauer, "Do us proud tonight."

A look down 6th Avenue...

 

Justin Morneau and his fiance...

 

Joe Nathan and his family...

Joe Mauer...

    Not a great picture, but here's Hall of Famer Rod Carew...

 

Hall of Famer and St. Paul native Paul Molitor

The next big All-Star event is the MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet. The event starts in about 15 minutes (1 p.m. ET) and lasts until approximately 3 p.m.

Here is a picture of the Red Carpet...

The Minnesota Twins are only a "small ball" team?  I think not.   The Twins demonstrated they have two of the greatest power hitters in the big leagues yesterday in competitions held as part of the All-Star Game festivities.  First, Twins mascot T.C. became for four-time mascot home run hitting champion by launching massive blasts into unsuspecting fans wandering about at FanFest.   Thusly inspired by his furry teammate, Justin Morneau then became the Home Run Derby champion before a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium and millions watching on television.  

It was a glorious evening in the Bronx for the Home Run Derby.    The event is a very popular part of the All-Star Game festivities - perhaps even more so than the game itself.   And the show put on by Josh Hamilton in the first round was, quite frankly, awe inspiring.  His home runs had the hang time of a Michael Jordan jump shot and some went so high I thought they might bounce off the Goodyear Blimp that floated overhead.   Each blast seemed to go higher and farther than the last.  Those of us who watch Justin Morneau play every day know he's a tremendous player too often underappreciated on the national scene.   It's too bad that his Derby win has been so overshadowed by Hamilton.   Justin's never going to be the most popular guy in Yankee Stadium because he beat out Derek Jeter for the MVP Award in 2006.  But he's one of the best in the game and he made Minnesota proud on Monday night. 

Over a million fans are expected to line 6th Avenue in Manhattan this afternoon for the All-Star Red Carpet Parade featuring the All-Star players and Hall of Famers.  I'm going to try to be one of them.   If I can survive Times Square on a Saturday night I should be able to weasel my way into a spot along the route.  Then it's off to the All-Star Preview Party on Randall Island before heading back to the stadium for tonight's contest.   My pick for the MVP?  Somebody wearing a Twins jersey with the initials "J.M."

Here is the transcript from tonight's post-Home Run Derby press conference...

Home Run Derby Press Conference.pdf

Justin Morneau and hitting coach Joe Vavra

CONGRATULATIONS, JUSTIN MORNEAU!!!

Even after Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs in the first two rounds to Justin's 17, Justin beat out Hamilton in the final round of the Home Run Derby hitting five home runs with Josh hitting three.

Here is a picture of teammate Joe Mauer congratulating him!

 

Here's one with Justin and Erin Andrews...

Check presentation to the Boys & Girls Club on behalf of Justin Morneau...

 interview with Justin...

 photo opp and check presentation...

Not a bad second round for Justin Morneau - currently in second behind Josh Hamilton who hit an amazing 28 homeruns in the first round. But Justin still has a chance to make it to the finals.

Here is a picture of him right after his second round performance (oh and that's Erin Andrews from ESPN next to him). Ryan Braun is up next followed by Josh Hamilton!

- mh

Tied with Lance Berkman with one player to go in the first round (Josh Hamilton), here is a picture of Joe Mauer and Joe Vavra in the dugout.

- mh

With the Home Run Derby about to begin in a few minutes after the "pregame", I just asked Joe Vavra and Justin Morneau what their strategy was going to be... Vavra said execute the pitch... Morneau said hit it over the fence!

-MH

Sent from my BlackBerry...standing next to Lance Berkman as he watched Justin Morneau open the pre-Derby BP in the cage at 6:30 pm CT.

Pics from the American League's Workout Day interview sessions:

After a long morning of press conferences and interview responsibilities, there is a little time to rest for my pick to win the State Farm Home Run Derby...Justin Morneau!  In trying to set up an interview with Justin on KFAN Radio this afternoon, Justin sent me a text back saying that he was going to get some rest before the big night.  Hopefully we can get Justin on with LaVelle E. Neal, who is guest hosting a show this afternoon.

 

We will all head over to the stadium around 3:15, and at that time Justin, Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan will be wrangled by yours truly to a photo station set up by Major League Baseball.  They will get some shots of the three Twins, not only for MLB's use, but for the club's as well.

The Home Run Derby press conference just go done, and Justin wasn't asked any questions specific to him. The only question received as a group was What player would you most like to watch take batting practice? Justin answered Josh Hamilton (who was also on the stage), and many of the other playrs agreed with him.

Each HR Derby participant was paired with a kid from a Boys & Girls Club, and Justin is with a kid from a local NYC club. If he wins, that Boys & Girls Club gets a $50,000 sport court!

- MH

The club scene is a big part of New York City, and fittingly the 33 Club was one memorable part of this All-Star extravaganza. The event is presented each year by MLB.com, and Sunday night (into the wee hours) it was at the famous Roseland Ballroom on 52nd Street and hosted by Alyssa Milano and Joba Chamberlain. Access Hollywood and all of the paparazzi were there, and it was packed with celebs and players. They call it "33 Club" because that is the year of the first All-Star Game, at old Comiskey Park. The main performer this time was Wyclef Jean, and here he is on stage while the place was at peak decibel level:

I am standing in one of the ballrooms at the hotel observing the All-Star player press conference. Each player has their own platform, and the media walk around and conduct their interviews.

Justin Morneau is being asked questions - everything from what was it like to play your first game at Yankee Stadium to how was rooming with Kevin Youkilis during 2004 Spring Training.

Joe Mauer has about 10 reporters swarmed around him, and there is a big crowd around Joe Nathan as well, perhaps since he's next to Ichiro who has about 30 cameras surrounding him.

Once the press conference is over at 12:50 p.m., Justin will head directly to a 1 p.m. Home Run Derby press conference.

Oh, and before the press conference started Joe and Justin were joking around and chatting with David Ortiz from the Red Sox.

- Mike Herman, Director, Baseball Communications

A big day in the Big Apple.  Divide and conquer was our strategy as I headed to the All-STar FanFest at the Jacob J. Javitz Convention Center while Twins Director of Event Marketing Heidi Sammon took in the Celebrity Softball Game at Yankee Stadium.   

 

FanFest is an interactive baseball theme park and the largest baseball fan event in the world.  It's also the real purpose behind our trip to New York for the festivities.  We're hoping to borrow a few ideas that could be applied to TwinsFest - especially when the day arrives when our event may no longer be held at the Metrodome.   

 

The event proved to be well worth the $35 price tag for ducats.  FanFest is a cornucopia of baseball history, interactive games for all ages, entertainment, autograph sessions, memorabilia and much more.  There was a definitive and expected slant towards the Yankees with a tribute to Yankee Stadium and a plethora of memorabilia for the Bronx Bombers.  Despite long lines for nearly every element, fans appeared to thoroughly enjoy the event.  We'll be back tomorrow taking more pictures and notes.

 

After FanFest it was off to the official All-Star Gala at the Museum of Natural History near Central Park.   Thousands of VIPs turned out for great food, drinks and entertainment by former Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams and castmembers from The Jersey Boys.   I now realize the best way to tour a museum is with a glass of vino in hand.   The party circuit continued after the Gala with mlb.com's bash at the Roseland Ballroom on West 52^nd.  It was my kind of party - 20 years ago.  It was the New York club scene at its best with loud, thumping music and beautiful people grooving on the dance floor.   Joe Nathan posed for photos with fans and other All-Stars helped make it one of the hottest parties in Manhattan. 

 

Monday begins with the All Star brunch at the Waldorf-Astoria.  Then it's back to FanFest before a trip to the Bronx for the Home Run Derby.   Justin Morneau has been swinging a hot bat and I like his chances to surprise.   

 

PK

You know that queasy feeling when you wake up before you're supposed to?  I do.  It happened this morning when my bedside alarm announced it was time to get up for my 6:30 am flight to New York.   I'm convinced God didn't intend anyone to awake at 4:15 on a Saturday morning.  But I was headed to The Big Apple for the All-Star Game festivities and New York is one of my favorite cities so the queasiness was soon replaced  by excitement.   After all, this will be the last All-Star Game at the current Yankee Stadium before the Bronx Bombers move to their new ballpark across the street from their current residence.

 

Even for seen-it-all New Yorkers, there is a palpable excitement in the air for this All-Star Game.  Street banners, signage and street decals promoting the game are prominently displayed throughout Manhattan.  Even my hotel room key is emblazed with the All-Star Game logo.   Thousands of out-of-towners in for the game proudly wear the jerseys of their favorite teams.   And the ubiquitous autograph seekers are staked out at the All-Star hotels waiting for Hall of Famers to make an appearance.   As I walked past the Waldorf Astoria this afternoon, Cal Ripken, Jr. was swarmed by young men seeking the former Baltimore Oriole great's signature.  They literally chased him down busy Lexington Avenue as he was driven away in a dark-windowed SUV.   A little earlier I walked into a dozen paparazzi furiously fighting for space outside a  bookstore just a few blocks away from All-Star headquarters hotel.  Another Hall of Famer?  Yes, but one enshrined in Cleveland rather than Cooperstown.  It  was the "Material Girl" herself, Madonna, visiting the Kabala Centre on 48^th Street.    

 

 The festivities began in earnest today with a free concert by Bon Jovi on the Great Lawn at Central Park.   Thousands of fans lined up at noon for a concert that wouldn't start for hours.   Though I didn't stay for the big show I was able to enjoy the sound check on my way through the park.  On Sunday, Twins Director of Event Marketing Heidi Sammon and I plan to take in some of the Futures Game and the Celebrity Softball Game at Yankee Stadium.  Then it's off to the All-Star Gala followed by a party hosted by mlb.com.  Tough work but I'm just the guy for the job.

 

Patrick Klinger

VP, marketing

Minnesota Twins

 

 

 

Hello!

With three Twins players in the 2008 All-Star game (Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan), we thought you would be interested in an inside look at what's going on in New York for the next few days...

With the help of our vice president of marketing Patrick Klinger and others attending the All-Star festivities, we hope to bring you some behind-the-scenes details of the festivities the next few days. We hope you enjoy it!

 

Sincerely,

The Minnesota Twins