Former Athens Drive All-Star Breaks Record in MLB Home Run Derby

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton set a new record in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14. Hamilton hit 28 home runs in the first round, beating the previous record of 24 first-round home runs set by Bobby Abreu in 2005 at Detroit’s Comerica Park. Abreu was the only player in Derby history before Hamilton to hit 28 homers on one night, let alone in one round.

Hamilton hit three homeruns over 500 feet, with the longest estimated at 518 feet. He hit five balls into the upper deck and fell a few feet short of becoming the first player to hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium. Hamilton went on a streak hitting a home run on 13 swings in a row, then went 16 of 17, 20 of 22, and 22 of 25.

Surprisingly, Hamilton did not win the Derby; he lost in the finals to Minnesota Twins' first baseman Justin Morneau, 5-3. Hamilton had 28 runs in the first round, four in the second, and three in the third round. Though Hamilton hit a total of 35 homeruns, and Morneau only managed 22, the scores after each round were reset to zero.

Hamilton’s pitcher at the Derby was 71-year-old Clay Counsil, who throws batting practice to kids in Raleigh and used to throw batting practices for Hamilton as a teenager.

Now you can own a piece of history!

On June 19, 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes ended a phenomenal year by winning the Stanley Cup in Game 7 of the finals. It was a day everyone will remember for years to come.

Now you can own a piece of history! A limited number of the pole banners commemorating the victory, which decorated downtown Raleigh and the RDU terminals, are available for purchase from the Greater Raleigh Sports Council. Each banner features a photo of team captain Rod Brind’Amour holding the Cup and was personally autographed by Rod himself. Banners are available in two sizes: 96" x 30" or 60" x 36". Some wear and tear must be expected.

Banners are $500 each and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce office located at 800 South Salisbury Street. A portion of the proceeds from each banner goes to the Raleigh Youth Hockey Association.

For more information, call the Greater Raleigh Sports Council at 664.7070 or 664.7033.