Home Run Champion(s)

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."