Wisk yourself back to the summer of 2008.
Josh Hamilton was months into his MLB rebirth after his well publicized battle with drugs and was becoming the nation's darling, and his performance at old Yankee Stadium solidified that.
The Bronx was collectively chanting his name as he walloped 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game in the stadium's final year of existence, including a stretch when he hit 13 moon shots in a row.
There's never been a performance like it, and probably never will be.
No one will remember that Hamilton was actually beaten in the final round by __________, yep, you can't remember who, after he tired himself out with the 28 in the first round.
But guess what? Hamilton will not return to the competition this year when the All-Star game goes to Arizona. He'll be there. He currently sits third among OF vote getters despite missing more time than he's played so far this year.
The HR derby is notorious for draining its winners for a slump after the All-Star break, and Hamilton doesn't want to be a part of it.
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"I'm not going to take a chance on getting hurt or something," Hamilton told ESPNDallas' Richard Durrett. "I did it in 2008 and it was fun, but I don't want to risk it."
Looks like fans will have to chant "CUR-TIS GRAN-DER-SON" instead. By the way, someone check that guy, please.
