Home run derby a success despite attempts to ruin it

The guy who hit the most home runs during the All-Star Game Home Run Derby last night at Yankee Stadium didn't win the contest.

The Rangers’ Josh Hamilton hit a total of 35 home runs in three rounds, including three amazing measuring tape blasts over 500 feet. But Justin Morneau of the Twins hit 22 total with five in the third round to win. A tired Hamilton could only muster three. I guess it’s what you do in the final round that counts.

Leave it to major league baseball to ruin all the fun. Do we really need multiple rounds with players having to develop a home run derby strategy? I would have liked to see Hamilton hack at it until his arms fell off. Instead he only took only a few swings in the second round because his spot in the final round was guaranteed.

How about see ball, hit ball? How’s that for a strategy? The guy who hits the most home runs wins. I think it could work.

If you’re not familiar with Hamilton, his story is a good one.

I understand that Chris Berman has become the home run derby whipping boy because of his tired shtick. I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but enough already with the Boomer.

Maybe next year, we let someone else have a try. One “back, back, back…gone!” was just one too many. And while we’re saving the world, let’s find someone to replace Joe Morgan – he just hates anyone who wasn’t a member of the Big Red Machine. I actually turned on the radio broadcast at one point for a little relief.