7/18/08

7/18/08

Today is the first day back after the All-Star break. Here is a recap...

Joe Mauer was voted in as the starting catcher on AL team. Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan were selected as reserves.

On late Sunday, Justin Morneau was selected to be part of the Home Run Derby the following day. He was the last selection but only after the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and the herculian Ichiro said thanks, but no thanks. So Morneau sheepishly accepted the invite and went to the derby. He ended up going toe to toe with former heroine addict Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers in the finals. Morneau edged him out 5-3 taking home the trophy for the derby that he was never supposed to be invited to.

Tuesday night was the All-Star game where it went past 12:00am on into the 15th inning. In the bottom of the 15th Justin Morneau scored from 3rd base on a sac fly to win the game. Little do the Twins know or even care now, but once they make it to the World Series they are going to thank Justin Morneau and his "piano on the back" running style for earning them home field advantage.

Now on to tonight where the Twins return for the second half of the season. The Rangers are in town where I'm sure Morneau is rekindling his Home Run Derby memories with Josh Hamilton, maybe even letting him hold the trophy that he actually more deserved.

9:35pm The Twins lead 6-0 in the bottom of the 8th. They really got it going right now. At this moment they have 15 hits tonight but nothing more than a double. Now that's Twins baseball!!