State Farm Home Run Derby-Finals

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK and HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) Justin Hamilton and Justin Morneau faced off in the finals of the State Farm Home Run Derby. Their home runs totals started over and the one who hits the most home runs in this round wins.

The results of the finals are as follows:

Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins
Total: 5 home runs (1 gold ball home run)
Average: 432 feet
Longest: 468 feet

Josh Hamilton: Texas Rangers
Total: 3 home runs (0 gold ball home run)
Average: 476 feet
Longest: 491 feet

Justin Morneau wins the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby. As in so many contests, the big guy who shows tremendous effort and dominated the game does not win. Josh Hamilton may not have won the home run derby, but he put on a show that many will not forget. He also won over a great many Yankees fans, and that is not an easy thing to do. He did both of those things in Yankee Stadium. What a fitting tribute to "The House That Ruth Built."

Hamilton's performance could not have been in a better venue. Who knows what will happen in future Home Run Derbies. One thing is certain, Hamilton's performance will be talked about over beers in many a local bar for years to come.