Last night started out painfully as most of Yankee Stadium sat on its hands through the first round of the Home Run Derby.  From my seat high up by the left field foul pole (many regular press seats have been usurped by VIPs for All-Star weekend) I sat at my laptop, spending more time trying to book a vacation on Priceline than I did watching the Derby.  Ryan Braun, Evan Longoria, Grady Sizemore, Dan Uggla…???  Yawn.

Lance Berkman’s presence made things a bit respectable, but where were Manny, Papi, A-Rod, Pujols and Vlad?  In some cases, injured.  In others, refusing to hit.  But then there was this kid that everyone was talking about, Josh Hamilton.  A couple player of the month awards and GMs who said his batting practice was worth charging money to watch.  Interesting…

As the night was close to being a dud, Hamilton started hitting bombs.  (Click here for the highlights). The rest was history.

You probably know Hamilton’s story by now.  A recovering substance abuser who was once the number one overall pick by the Rays.  Power that hasn’t been seen since Mickey Mantle.  At 27 years old, he is a rookie and would be the AL MVP if the award was given at half season.  Outside of baseball, he is doing work to help those who also suffer from substance abuse.

We will hear much more about Josh Hamilton over time.  However, last night was a show I will never forget.  His home run off the Bud Light sign behind the right field bleachers is the closest I’ve ever seen a ball come to getting out of Yankee Stadium.  The Stadium was chanting Hamilton’s name over and over as he hit those 28 home runs in the first round.  The Ranger outfielder may be hearing more of that across the street next season as he is a free agent at the end of the year…

Still, wherever Hamilton winds up playing in ‘09, I want to say thanks for saving the Home Run Derby of ‘08.