Twins Confidential

Twins have an All-Star Game to remember

2008-07-16T21:59:27Z

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!

Sheryl Crowe Singing the National Anthem

2008-07-16T00:38:51Z

Twins All-Stars

2008-07-16T00:28:49Z

During the introduction of the reserves.

Pre-Pregame Photos

2008-07-16T00:03:13Z

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

Harmon, Joe and Justin

2008-07-15T19:55:30Z

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."

From the Red Carpet...

2008-07-15T17:26:08Z

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

Red Carpet Event About to Begin

2008-07-15T16:45:46Z

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...

Home Run Champion(s)

2008-07-15T16:36:42Z

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."

Post-Home Run Derby Press Conference Transcript

2008-07-15T04:53:10Z

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

Home Run Derby Press Conference.pdf

2008 Home Run Derby Champion

2008-07-15T03:09:41Z

Justin Morneau and hitting coach Joe Vavra

Justin Morneau WINS the All-Star Home Run Derby!

2008-07-15T02:28:06Z

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...

Justin After Round 2

2008-07-15T02:02:08Z

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

Justin Hits 8 in the First Round

2008-07-15T01:24:36Z

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

Live from the Home Run Derby

2008-07-15T00:00:56Z

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

Justin right before Home Run Derby

2008-07-14T23:51:23Z

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.

First the AL stars took BP, then the NL stars took BP, and then the 8 HR Derby participants took their own BP. Now onto the Derby...you can also find liveblogging of the event right here and comment with other Justin-watchers.