2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby

The 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby (also known as the State Farm Home Run Derby for sponsorship reasons) was held on Monday, July 14 2008, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City. ESPN televised the event live at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time with radio being broadcast on ESPN Radio and XM Satellite Radio.cite press release | title = State Farm Home Run Derby participants announced | publisher = MLB Advanced Media, L.P. | date = 2008-07-13 | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080713&content_id=3128636&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | accessdate = 2008-07-13]

Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins defeated Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers 5–3 in the final.cite news | last = Christensen | first = Joe | title = Asked late, performed great | work = Star Tribune | language = English | publisher = Star Tribune | date = 2008-07-15 | url = http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/25449274.html | accessdate = 2008-07-15] In the first round, Hamilton set an MLB record for most home runs in one round of a Derby with 28.cite news | title = Hamilton's 28 sets single-round record | work = All Star Game 2008 | language = English | publisher = Major League Baseball | date = 2008-07-14 | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080714&content_id=3136126&vkey=allstar2008&fext=.jsp | accessdate = 2008-07-14]

The eight participants 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.cite news | last = Whicker | first = Mark | title = Taking aim at All-Star blasts, Angels, Dodgers and more | work = Sports | language = English | publisher = Orange County Register Communications | date = 2008-07-11 | url = http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dodgers-home-runs-2090959-team-angels | accessdate = 2008-07-14] cite news | last = Phillips | first = Mike | title = MLB Extra | Around the bases | work = Sports | language = English | publisher = Miami Herald Media Co. | date = 2008-07-13 | url = http://www.miamiherald.com/590/story/603199.html | accessdate = 2008-07-14]

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.cite news | title = Crow, Groban scheduled to perform on Tuesday night | work = Life | language = English | publisher = Poughkeepsie Journal | date = 2008-07-14 | url = http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/SPORTS/807140326 | accessdate = 2008-07-15]

Results

Notes:
New single round record.
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.

Footnotes