Home run hitting contest
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.
Pre-game entertainment
American rock band 3 Doors Down performed at the beginning of the Derby.[6]
Results
Notes:
^a New single round record.
^b Voluntarily ended round with four outs.
10 Home Runs were hit while the Gold Ball (special balls used when the batters have nine outs) was in play, earning $170,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America .
^ a b "State Farm Home Run Derby participants announced" (Press release). MLB Advanced Media, L.P. July 13, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008 .
^ 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 .
^ "Hamilton's 28 sets single-round record" . All Star Game 2008 . Major League Baseball. July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008 .
^ Whicker, Mark (July 11, 2008). "Taking aim at All-Star blasts, Angels, Dodgers and more" . Sports . Orange County Register Communications. Retrieved July 14, 2008 .
^ Phillips, Mike (July 13, 2008). "MLB Extra – Around the bases" . Miami Herald . Retrieved July 14, 2008 .
^ "Crow, Groban scheduled to perform on Tuesday night" . Life . Poughkeepsie Journal. July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2008 .
*The 1988 Home Run Derby was canceled due to rain **The 2020 Home Run Derby was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic