2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby

2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby
DateJuly 14, 2008
VenueYankee Stadium
CityThe Bronx, New York
WinnerJustin Morneau
← 2007 Home Run Derby 2009 →

The 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby (known through sponsorship as the State Farm Home Run Derby) was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the American League and National League. The derby was held on July 14, 2008, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City, the host location of the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. ESPN televised the event live at 8:00 PM EDT, with ESPN Radio and XM Satellite Radio handling radio broadcasting duties.[1]

Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins defeated Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, 5–3, in the final.[2] In the first round, Hamilton set an MLB record for most home runs in one round of a Derby with 28,[3] hitting 13 of them with eight outs.

The eight participants[1] were Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros, Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins, Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies, Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians, Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins.

Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was originally going to participate to defend his 2007 title, but he ultimately declined the invitation in order to spend time with his family.[4][5] Morneau became the first Canadian player to win the derby since its introduction in the 1985 MLB season.

  1. ^ a b "State Farm Home Run Derby participants announced" (Press release). MLB Advanced Media, L.P. July 13, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  2. ^ Christensen, Joe (July 15, 2008). "Asked late, performed great". Star Tribune. Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  3. ^ "Hamilton's 28 sets single-round record". All Star Game 2008. Major League Baseball. July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  4. ^ Whicker, Mark (July 11, 2008). "Taking aim at All-Star blasts, Angels, Dodgers and more". Sports. Orange County Register Communications. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  5. ^ Phillips, Mike (July 13, 2008). "MLB Extra – Around the bases". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 14, 2008.