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When future fans think of the 2008 Home Run Derby, they will think of what Josh Hamilton for baseball, erasing the steroid cloud that has plagued the sport for years.
Barry Bonds and Steroids EffectIt was only two years ago when the home run, the definitive symbol of sports success in America since the days of Babe Ruth, lost its value with each one that was hit. Sure, it still counted on the scoreboard, but with Congress looking into how deeply steroids and illegal performance-enhancers tainted the past 15 years of baseball, the fans' faith in the sport was waning. The tolerance of the baseball world hit rock bottom last year when Barry Bonds assured himself a spot as America's Most Hated Athelete by breaking the hallowed home run record once held by the man who was everything he is not, Hank Aaron. One George Mitchell investigation later, MLB found itself with a self-inflicted problem. Quite frankly, there were no clean names that merited enough star power to 'headline' the popular Home Run Derby. Alex Rodriguez added to his pitiful personal resume by declining the Yankee Stadium held event. David Ortiz was still recovering from a wrist injury. Ken Griffey Jr. has hit only 12 of his 605 homers this year. So, with no other place to turn, baseball was forced to come up with a new strategy. Baseballs BestLance Berkman, Ryan Braun, Josh Hamilton, Evan Longoria, Justin Morneau, Grady Sizemore, Dan Uggla, and Chase Utley. These were the guys baseball entrusted with the burden of breaking the sport through the cloud of suspicion cast by steroids. Take out Berkman, the oldest member of the group, and the remaining players' have left the ballpark four more times combined than A-Rod has in his career. However, being the Home Run Derby, fans were going to tune in to see if their guy could win it. After all, there's quite a short porch out there in right, and that Utley kid sure does have a sweet swing. Maybe he can knock out 15 or 16. Maybe Longoria can continue the Ray's spectacular season. Maybe ol' Yankee Stadium has one or two magic moments left in its history-laden bones. Maybe. Josh HamiltonAfter a couple of mediocre performances opened up the first round, Hamilton stepped up to the plate and viewers heard for the 34,000th time about how the former #1 draft pick has overcome his past demons of drug and alcohol addiction to become one of the league's most premier hitters and dazzling outfielders. But buried in away Arlington, the nation had yet to see if he was the real deal. More importantly, they had yet to see if the majestic long ball was simply a product of a shameful era. The answers came in the form of a first-round record 28 thunderous swats, all from a five-tool all-world athlete who is the last player one would suspect of currently using drugs, performance-enhancing or otherwise. Each of Hamilton's monumental bombs dissolved some of the doubts that have smeared the reputation of America's pastime. For Hamilton, it was another step in the right direction of what he would call his long-winding road to recovery. As it was for baseball.
The copyright of the article Josh Hamilton in Home Run Derby in Major League Baseball is owned by Michael Carraggi. Permission to republish Josh Hamilton in Home Run Derby in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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