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Asked late, performed great

Nick Laham, Getty/AFP

Justin Morneau makes contact during the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.

Texas' Josh Hamilton put on a memorable display, but Justin Morneau ended up winning the All-Star Home Run Derby.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: July 15, 2008 - 9:11 AM

NEW YORK - Justin Morneau said even he was rooting for Josh Hamilton on Monday night, as chants of "Ham-il-ton! Ham-il-ton!" rained down from Yankee Stadium during the All-Star Home Run Derby.

Hamilton amazed the crowd with a record 28 home runs in the first round -- including 13 in a row and a few that almost left the stadium.

Morneau hit eight home runs in the first round and nine in the second round before stunning the audience with a 5-3 victory over Hamilton in the finals.

Morneau became the first Twins player to win the annual derby, even though Hamilton finished three rounds with 35 homers to Morneau's 22.

"I was kind of cheering for [Hamilton] because, you know, the whole crowd's behind him," Morneau said. "You want to see that story end in a good way."

Hamilton said in 2006, he dreamed about being interviewed after participating in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.

Maybe that's why a whole stadium of fans were pinching themselves while watching him hit those first-round blasts, which included three drives longer than 500 feet, with the longest -- No. 18 -- measured at 518 feet.

In the dream, Hamilton said, "I was able to show everybody how I was there, why I was there, and that was because of God's grace."

A recovering drug addict, Hamilton was out of baseball in 2006. He returned last year and has emerged as the story of the season for the Texas Rangers.

Morneau was asked if he felt like he had pulled a greater upset than the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's victory over the Soviet Union.

"I think [Hamilton] just got tired," he said, after a big laugh. "He's the one that put on the show tonight. I think everyone will remember Josh Hamilton's 28 home runs, more than they'll remember that I won the thing. But I'm just glad I was a part of it."

Morneau was the 2006 American League Most Valuable Player, but proof that the Twins first baseman is still largely unknown came when the man representing the event's sponsor called him "Jason" during the trophy presentation.

Morneau wasn't even invited to participate in the derby until Sunday -- after Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Vladimir Guerrero and Ichiro Suzuki declined invitations. Suzuki's past 36 hits have all been singles, but he's known for some prolific home run displays during batting practice.

"They ran out of all the good players, and then they asked me," Morneau said.

Last year in San Francisco, Morneau hit five home runs in the derby with manager Ron Gardenhire pitching. This time, Morneau picked Twins hitting coach Joe Vavra, who found his groove after missing with several pitches in the first round.

"I wouldn't say I was the coolest cucumber, either," Vavra said.

Earlier Monday, Morneau's father, George, spent a few minutes chatting with Cal Ripken Jr., who relayed his own derby experiences.

In 1985, when Minnesota last played host to an All-Star Game, Ripken hit only one home run in the derby at the Metrodome. He didn't compete again until 1991, when he won the event with 12 homers at Toronto's SkyDome.

That year, Ripken went on to win his second American League MVP award.

Justin Morneau thought last year's event hurt his swing, but George Morneau said: "I think he's smarter now. He knows he has to stay within himself."

After Hamilton's performance, Justin Morneau won't let this event get to his head.

"When it's on ESPN Classic," he said, "I'll say, 'Hey I was in that, too.'"

HOME RUN DERBY

Round Hamilton Morneau

First 28 8

Second 4 9

Final 3 5

Note: Totals from first two rounds determine finalists; scores then reset for final. Hamilton used only four of his 10 outs in second round.

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