I think it’s the single Greatest performance but I think the second round tonight beats this. It was two players going back and fourth. 70+ hr combined in a single round. 2 swing offs. AMAZING
I remember watching it live (on TV). While the volume isn't there - compared to last night - the format was different, and to do what he did with 10 outs per round was crazy. And he was absolutely bombing them too.
If he wasn't fighting addiction he might have had a 650+ hr career. Him and griffey had the best casual effortless lefty swings ever. The sound of the ball coming off his bat is once in a generation.
This was incredible to me as a young kid who loved baseball. After reading his book and battling my own problems I decided to revisit this video. This redemption story brings tears to my eyes and gives me and I’m sure many more people so much inspiration. Truly bigger than baseball. We aren’t all gonna hit 500 ft homeruns at yankee stadium but we all have a chance to build ourselves back stronger than ever.
That’s actually my great uncle, 71 years old at the time. Pitched to Josh in high school and josh said that if he ever made it big, he’d want him to pitch to him. Crazy how things can happen.
When you have not only the crowd but every single player on their feet you know you're doing something special. In my mind this is still the greatest performance and Home Run Derby history. I don't care what anybody else says. This was truly iconic and spectacular.
I was in the bleachers. Lifelong Yankee fan here, but that was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever been to in that building. When he hit the Bank of America sign over my head, I was in disbelief. I’ve never seen anyone hit the back wall before. I know he lost, but no one will remember that derby for what Justin Morneau did.
These camera angles don't do very well at showing how far the upper 3rd deck in right field at Yankee Stadium really is. I've seen video of Bonds sending a shot very deep up there, and you could tell it's a massive blast! The ball flies off the bat like a rocket launch - at a high trajectory.
As a life long sox fan from Boston That was special to see and such an historic Stadium and glad that The place that ruth built had one more special moment
Y. Sasuke I remember when he was highly sought after and then got traded down to triple A I think just to be brought back to the majors I think several months later
I remember being 17 years old and watching this and saying Oh My God what am I watching right now.. greatest Home Run Derby Performance of all time nothing comes close to it..
Baseball has been a part of my life for nearly 40 years. I don’t care who makes it to the Hall of Fame if they don’t instill a sense of magic that lasts generations. Hamilton’s performance did that. Such a contribution to the game…all in one sitting. Just beyond epic. Saw it live, and it was nauseatingly electric. Glad this video brought me back to that feeling. I wish Hamilton well.
I have never routed for a non Yankee player like i did that night for Josh, he was hitting bombs galore man. His story was just so inspiring and I'm glad i was there. Thank you Josh for in my eyes, the greatest HR Derby performance I've seen live.
Can we get a little bit of love to the old man that was throwing the best bp round of all time? Anyone that knows anything about baseball knows your toss is half the battle. But HOLY SHIT what a round
This is the old man coming out in me. I was 16 during this. I love seeing the fans watching the moment live and not having devices to record it all. It’s something I have to remind myself to do more often during events like these.
This is what is was all about for me...a hot summer evening with 50,000 people watching baseballs go 500 feet for 3 hours. No timers, no clocks, no 10 swings in 5 seconds, no tiktoks..just the ambiance of baseball in its purest form.
I was there that night and it was unbelievable! Fans were high fiveing each other after every home run! First time in New York and they tore down the house that Ruth built after that season. Best trip ever
By far the most amazing homerun derby I’ve ever seen. Josh Hamilton.... amazing athlete and baseball player. Very sad he couldn’t stay clean and healthy. My team sure missed him. Best of luck to him
I don't consider the 2019 Derby's totals to be the record as it is a completely different format. I consider Josh's feat to be the most impressive as he not only hit 28 in one round but he was hitting bombs!!
The sound the ball made when he barreled one up is a sound you hear once in a generation. Other than Griffey he had the prettiest, most effortlessly beautiful swing of all time in my humble opinion. Dude should have had a 650+HR career but everyone has their own demons. We also grew up about an hour and a half drive apart. Out of all my favorite players I watched growing up (late 90’s- Present) I miss watching this guy swing the bat more than just about anybody else. Thanks for the great memories Mr.Hamilton, we appreciate you❤❤⚾️⚾️
I was there, 1B behind the dugout about ten rows up, what an unbelievable showing. Honestly one of the loudest events I've ever been to at Yankee Stadium. Everyone was behind him
When I saw Julio Rodriguez from last nights derby hit 30+ in back-to-back rounds ending up with 81 total dingers then running out of gas in the final round to drop the victory to Juan Soto, I immediately went back to this performance. I remember watching this live and it was astounding with the moonshots!
Josh hit the farthest ball I've ever seen hit (in person). I was working on the Orioles' groundscrew at the time. They were playing the Rangers, and Hamilton was taking BP. We were standing at the shop entrance down in the right field corner, and on his 3rd to last hit during that round, hit a ball that cleared 20ft above the top of the hitter's eye (it was still going up when it cleared the CF fence at 410 - not exaggerating, I was standing on the fence line). If there was an upper deck in CF, it would've made it up there, easily. My best estimate, using Google Earth, is that that ball probably carried between 520-530ft. Never seen anything else like it. Absolutely unreal.
This night was the perfect culmination of events. Hamilton, the guy throwing the pitches, Yankees Stadium, Chris Berman… what a magical night. I always loved how all the other players were in disbelief of what they were witnessing.
I was there that night...Ive never heard a sound like Josh Ham hitting or the way the ball jumped off his bat....It was incredible, he had Mickey Mantle, Darryl Strawberry type natural power
@@jamesnorton7601so steroids enhance all of your natural talent and skills right? 🤷🏻😂🤡 You’re probably of the school that thinks Bonds roid era makes him irrelevant huh? 🤭🤷🏻😂🤡
@@jamesnorton7601 watch the 2008? (HR derby in NY). Magical. He was hitting 500+ ft bombs. If he head Ohtani’s mentality, he’d be top 10 in MLB history. Just my opinion.
Years later, I just want to clarify a specific phrase in the description. That he, "LET a drug addiction get in the way". This implies something that he just decided to do. It's in the same vein as, "it's not a disease, it's weakness" nonsense. These exact moments are the one that keeps a person going, but when that stops, and that reward system isn't being properly balanced as it should in most people, then in order to feel "normal", one goes to artificially alter that imbalance, finding some comfort. It's fucking sad. He was such an incredible talent.
I am from California but lived in Texas from 2008-2012 the talk of the town was Josh Hamilton and Texas people loved him let me tell you. He losses two WS when I lived their one to the Giants and the other to the Cardinals but boy was he an excellent baseball player one of my all time favorites.
As a Rangers fan Josh Hamilton is the player that got me into baseball as a kid and even though his career ended in unfortunate circumstances he’ll still always be an all-time great to me
This was so fucking awesome. It’s really a shame that this man completely ruined his public image while playing, and now long after. Could’ve been an all time great
That juiced bat probably didn't hurt either. Lifelong commentators/pros saying multiple times that they've never heard that sound off of a bat is more than suspicious...
Greatest thing is when that second one hit the rear wall. Everybody in the stadium as well as watching on the tube knew....it's ON! Listen to the reaction.
Hamilton is the only player in our time with MICKEY MANTLE TALENT. Out of this world. His story is one of the great what-ifs in baseball history. But................we will all have this CHERISHED memory he blessed us with.
God Will finish what he started. He started a good work in Josh and he is faithful to finish. Josh is still fighting demons to this day. Lay it down at the cross brotha.
One of the best swings you'll see and a powerful human...one of those guys where the ball sounded different off his bat. It's a shame what happened with injuries & personal struggles.
I remember when this happened. I was in a bad place and was inspired by his story. I ended up in rehab maybe a year after this and remember my mom giving me his book as she dropped me off. I played baseball all my life and she knew the book would resonate with me. I read it 4 or 5 times while in there. It kept me from giving up and walking out the door more than once. I hate that he ended up falling off the wagon after he retired. Haven't heard anything about him in awhile but I hope he got back on track.
Before every single person was locked into holding smartphones the crowds were so much more excited and into the action on the field. 2008 was right around when the iPhone came out so this was still a fired up focused crowd.
I went to 30+ games at that iteration of Yankee Stadium and never saw anyone, in a game or batting practice, hit a ball close to the back rows of the right field bleachers.
This is still the greatest HR derby performance ever. Hitting multiple 500 ft plus bombs in less then 10 swings…getting 28 moonshots with only 10 strikes when you could get 30 plus strikes in the new HR derby era.
I'm a 40 year old Rangers fan. From Arlington stadium to globe life. Saw MVP Gonzales, Pudge, and A Rod, Griffy in his prime. Josh Hamilton from 2007 to 2011 is best player I have ever seen
Vlad hit all his home runs to left field......Hamilton was roping homers to center field, right center and to right field so Josh Hamilton is the true Home run Derby King
@@mduffrules LOL, no. The crowd has nothing to do with it. How many 500 footers did Vlad hit? None. Didn’t even come close. Hamilton’s average distance on these home runs was not much less than the furthest Vlad could manage. He was child’s play compared to Hamilton. Also the ball they’ve been using in more recent years is far more juiced than the 2008 baseballs in fact the baseball juicing has gotten so ridiculous the past few years they’re going to deaden the baseball some this season.
It didn't matter, the way the winner is determine is lame. If they tire themselves out in a round they are done for in the finals. They need to fix this competition.
So I assume a lot of you are coming here tonight. Is this still the greatest HR Derby performance ever?
TrueRGM This is absolutely the best. The old format, in old Yankee stadium, plus Hamilton’s story
I think it’s the single Greatest performance but I think the second round tonight beats this. It was two players going back and fourth. 70+ hr combined in a single round. 2 swing offs. AMAZING
Im upset vladdy didnt win
TrueRGM no. Vladdy just got 40 in a single round and 91 overall
I remember watching it live (on TV). While the volume isn't there - compared to last night - the format was different, and to do what he did with 10 outs per round was crazy. And he was absolutely bombing them too.
If he wasn't fighting addiction he might have had a 650+ hr career. Him and griffey had the best casual effortless lefty swings ever. The sound of the ball coming off his bat is once in a generation.
Addiction?
@@zekiaherfe4234 Yep read up on his story addiction has pretty much derailed his career. Very sad
@@zekiaherfe4234 he loved his cocaine
@@derrickkaseman9843 I thought it was dope
@@derrickkaseman9843 not the smack!!!
Josh's Derby was baseball's equivalent to Vince Carter's 2000 Dunk Contest, while Vlad vs Joc was the Lavine vs Gordon Dunk Contest
Fax
This is an all-time great comparison
Great comparison
very well put
Except the fact the Vince dominated the field and won…but this was still an amazing performance
This was incredible to me as a young kid who loved baseball. After reading his book and battling my own problems I decided to revisit this video. This redemption story brings tears to my eyes and gives me and I’m sure many more people so much inspiration. Truly bigger than baseball. We aren’t all gonna hit 500 ft homeruns at yankee stadium but we all have a chance to build ourselves back stronger than ever.
Are we gonna ignore that the old guy (sorry idk who it is) threw the best BP I’ve ever seen
Dumbfound his name is clay counsil
That’s actually my great uncle, 71 years old at the time. Pitched to Josh in high school and josh said that if he ever made it big, he’d want him to pitch to him. Crazy how things can happen.
@@hunterking749 is he still alive? He seems like such a nice person
Hunter King how is the guy
@@hunterking749 How is the man?
When you have not only the crowd but every single player on their feet you know you're doing something special. In my mind this is still the greatest performance and Home Run Derby history. I don't care what anybody else says. This was truly iconic and spectacular.
Adley switch hitting and going 7 for 7 is maybe as incredible
@@joshwhitley8969no where close but still super impressive. Josh is hitting 500 Ft bombs 20+ times. This was truly unforgettable
I started crying at the end. Just such an emotional moment
Couldn't believe my ears when I heard the Yankee faithful actually chanting a Texas Ranger name. Brought tears to my eyes
I was in the bleachers. Lifelong Yankee fan here, but that was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever been to in that building. When he hit the Bank of America sign over my head, I was in disbelief. I’ve never seen anyone hit the back wall before.
I know he lost, but no one will remember that derby for what Justin Morneau did.
Iconic.
These camera angles don't do very well at showing how far the upper 3rd deck in right field at Yankee Stadium really is.
I've seen video of Bonds sending a shot very deep up there, and you could tell it's a massive blast!
The ball flies off the bat like a rocket launch - at a high trajectory.
I saw Jose Canseco hit the old Citibank sign back in the early 90s. Hardest hit HR I ever saw hit at the Old Stadiun
My friend tricked me with this on a trivia question. Was thinking after the Joe Maddon intentional walk of Seager
As a life long sox fan from Boston
That was special to see and such an historic Stadium and glad that
The place that ruth built had one more special moment
josh hamilton probably had the highest ceiling i have EVER seen, but also, he has the lowest low lol, just glad for the couple years we got from him
Y. Sasuke I remember when he was highly sought after and then got traded down to triple A I think just to be brought back to the majors I think several months later
01
Hola :
@@jeremydudash7328 959
Nobody remembers that Josh didn’t win, but we’ll always remember this. What a night.
The man hit 12 homers in a row with 8 outs. That's insane
I got chills sitting here when he stopped and looked around while smiling and the crowds cheering.... my god so unbelievable
This was 2008 but looks like 1998. The old yankee stadium had such an old feel to it
MiCMaCToE CK now new stadium look like 2218 in 2018 the new yankee stadium has amazing feeling
Old Yankee Stadium during the day had a completely unique feel to it
@@mrkhatib1694 the New Stadium is disgusting and lame. New Yorkers can and do ruin everything so quick. Bunch of Viruses!
I remember being 17 years old and watching this and saying Oh My God what am I watching right now.. greatest Home Run Derby Performance of all time nothing comes close to it..
4:51 I love how he stops and enjoys the moment. This performance was truly my favorite HR Derby Moment of All time!
Trā West and at that moment.. he turns it up to 200%. Wild after that crowd take in.. he says nahh I’m not done yet, watch this folks
Baseball has been a part of my life for nearly 40 years. I don’t care who makes it to the Hall of Fame if they don’t instill a sense of magic that lasts generations. Hamilton’s performance did that. Such a contribution to the game…all in one sitting. Just beyond epic. Saw it live, and it was nauseatingly electric. Glad this video brought me back to that feeling.
I wish Hamilton well.
I have never routed for a non Yankee player like i did that night for Josh, he was hitting bombs galore man. His story was just so inspiring and I'm glad i was there. Thank you Josh for in my eyes, the greatest HR Derby performance I've seen live.
Can we get a little bit of love to the old man that was throwing the best bp round of all time? Anyone that knows anything about baseball knows your toss is half the battle. But HOLY SHIT what a round
I give that guy 30% of the credit for his consistency in helping Josh get in a groove
@@Kruppt808 I guess you’ve never had a shitty bp toss. That’s ok. I understand most people don’t really understand what’s even going on in this clip
They spelled his name wrong on the jersey! Its CounCil!
Good ball path and consistency on those pitches. Definitely helped.
This is the old man coming out in me. I was 16 during this. I love seeing the fans watching the moment live and not having devices to record it all. It’s something I have to remind myself to do more often during events like these.
I was in the stadium when this happened, one of the greatest moments I have ever witnessed.
To this day, I haven't forgotten of this performance.
He's still one of my all time favorite players. This guy has had such a rough life since his parents passed. He has never been really right since.
This is what is was all about for me...a hot summer evening with 50,000 people watching baseballs go 500 feet for 3 hours. No timers, no clocks, no 10 swings in 5 seconds, no tiktoks..just the ambiance of baseball in its purest form.
Seeing the quality of the cameras 10 years ago i sometimes think the world really looked like that
Nah man it’s just how it was recorded off of the tv
Yeah was no high definition shit came a few years later
I was there that night and it was unbelievable! Fans were high fiveing each other after every home run! First time in New York and they tore down the house that Ruth built after that season. Best trip ever
One of the best memories of any all star event held, the best hrd event hands down
It’s pretty great that Josh Hamilton had this moment in his life. It’s incredible.
Greatest home run derby moment ever
Yes, I know Hamilton did not win this contest in the end...that still doesn't change that this was the greatest HR derby performance of all-time.
TrueRGM back back back
Who won?
paulh123456 Justin mourneau
+TrueRGM I could not tell you who won this contest, but I do remember the bombs Hamilton hit that night even 11 years later.
Until about 2 hours ago!
By far the most amazing homerun derby I’ve ever seen. Josh Hamilton.... amazing athlete and baseball player. Very sad he couldn’t stay clean and healthy. My team sure missed him. Best of luck to him
I don't consider the 2019 Derby's totals to be the record as it is a completely different format. I consider Josh's feat to be the most impressive as he not only hit 28 in one round but he was hitting bombs!!
Same here. Josh Hamilton's record will always hold unless they change the format back to this.
I would do the same if I was in steroids lmfao foh he's a bum
alex vargas hamilton never did roids tho. dude literally had to get tested twice a week during this stage of his career
@@alexvargas-xl4xp
You’re sad
@@b29tayl0r oh I forgot he was on that rock
The sound the ball made when he barreled one up is a sound you hear once in a generation. Other than Griffey he had the prettiest, most effortlessly beautiful swing of all time in my humble opinion. Dude should have had a 650+HR career but everyone has their own demons. We also grew up about an hour and a half drive apart. Out of all my favorite players I watched growing up (late 90’s- Present) I miss watching this guy swing the bat more than just about anybody else. Thanks for the great memories Mr.Hamilton, we appreciate you❤❤⚾️⚾️
I was there, 1B behind the dugout about ten rows up, what an unbelievable showing. Honestly one of the loudest events I've ever been to at Yankee Stadium. Everyone was behind him
Yah watching live on tv, I was so shocked at the noise. They were deafening it was so loud
Amazing! You can tell by his smiles, face expression s, he's absorbing all that!!
When I saw Julio Rodriguez from last nights derby hit 30+ in back-to-back rounds ending up with 81 total dingers then running out of gas in the final round to drop the victory to Juan Soto, I immediately went back to this performance. I remember watching this live and it was astounding with the moonshots!
Josh hit the farthest ball I've ever seen hit (in person).
I was working on the Orioles' groundscrew at the time. They were playing the Rangers, and Hamilton was taking BP. We were standing at the shop entrance down in the right field corner, and on his 3rd to last hit during that round, hit a ball that cleared 20ft above the top of the hitter's eye (it was still going up when it cleared the CF fence at 410 - not exaggerating, I was standing on the fence line). If there was an upper deck in CF, it would've made it up there, easily. My best estimate, using Google Earth, is that that ball probably carried between 520-530ft. Never seen anything else like it. Absolutely unreal.
Great story!
I remember watching this. He hit straight up nukes.
Fitting that he did this in Old Yankee Stadium, it just feels right.
It was also the final season at the old Yankee stadium
This night was the perfect culmination of events. Hamilton, the guy throwing the pitches, Yankees Stadium, Chris Berman… what a magical night. I always loved how all the other players were in disbelief of what they were witnessing.
I was lucky enough to watch this in his prime while he played here in Texas. The sound off that mans bat is like nothing you have ever heard before.
Same here. He was fun to watch. Almost as fun as seeing Nolan.
I remember watching this a a 10 year old, we actually taped this on a VHS, and now we can’t find it. To be able to see this again is amazing!!
This guy was the best baseball player I ever watched. What a blessing and a shame it was to see him play only 8 seasons.
The definition of a 5 tool player. When drafted, it was unsure if he would be a hitter or pitcher. What an incredible athlete he was.
At old Yankee Stadium too. Doesn't get much better than that
Stefan Biro new Yankee is far better than that
@@mrkhatib1694 It's a whole lot nicer but few parks can match the history in that place, and certainly not the new one.
My favorite derby ever man. That was crazy to watch live
Man New York crowds can be so much fun. What a treat this derby was.
I was at this home run derby with seats on the third base line! This derby and the crowd atmosphere was insane!
The reaction of the crowd and players...
Remarkable
He was such a beast man 🔥
I'll never forget watching this live. Hamilton had so much power. What a talented guy
I remember watching this lbeing sooo amazed. He hit I believe 13-15 straight and 7 of em flew over 500
As a recovering addict,this brought TRUE tears to my eyes.Thank you Joshhy!!!!
I was there that night...Ive never heard a sound like Josh Ham hitting or the way the ball jumped off his bat....It was incredible, he had Mickey Mantle, Darryl Strawberry type natural power
One of the most talented people to ever pick up a bat. As close to the Natural as we're ever gonna see
Dude was on more steroids ,white powders, hops and god knows what else. Natural?
@@jamesnorton7601so steroids enhance all of your natural talent and skills right? 🤷🏻😂🤡
You’re probably of the school that thinks Bonds roid era makes him irrelevant huh? 🤭🤷🏻😂🤡
@@chuekouvue4043 I love Barry. And muscle doesn't enhance skill.
@@jamesnorton7601 watch the 2008? (HR derby in NY). Magical. He was hitting 500+ ft bombs. If he head Ohtani’s mentality, he’d be top 10 in MLB history. Just my opinion.
@@chuekouvue4043 terrifying hitter. Steroids don't make skills. Or give you nerves of steel. He was fun to watch.
By FAR the greatest homerun derby round ever. Not even a debate
This performance by Josh is still more impressive than Rodriguez 41 last night. I like this format a lot more than the current format.
His swing is so effortless!
This was awesome. I remember being a kid jumping up and down during this. Hamilton was the man
Greatest hitting display ever.
“Jesus this guy hits a ton. Why didn’t anybody pick up in this guy?
Ok Billy that’s enough fastballs. Throw him some breaking balls.”
😂
Years later, I just want to clarify a specific phrase in the description. That he, "LET a drug addiction get in the way". This implies something that he just decided to do. It's in the same vein as, "it's not a disease, it's weakness" nonsense. These exact moments are the one that keeps a person going, but when that stops, and that reward system isn't being properly balanced as it should in most people, then in order to feel "normal", one goes to artificially alter that imbalance, finding some comfort. It's fucking sad. He was such an incredible talent.
As a long time Ranger fan, the roller-coaster ride with Josh was crazy.
I miss this guy
George W was looking in wrong spot, the WMD's were in Yankees Stadium that night.
I am a Yankee fan and I approve this joke😂😂😂
I am from California but lived in Texas from 2008-2012 the talk of the town was Josh Hamilton and Texas people loved him let me tell you. He losses two WS when I lived their one to the Giants and the other to the Cardinals but boy was he an excellent baseball player one of my all time favorites.
Looking at this film quality makes me feel so old lol this looked normal in 2008
I remember watching this with my dad and my brother. This is a moment we will never forget
He had a 4-5 year run as good as anyone! Efficient and effortless swing that generates huge power
As a Rangers fan Josh Hamilton is the player that got me into baseball as a kid and even though his career ended in unfortunate circumstances he’ll still always be an all-time great to me
I’ll never forget watching this. I miss those times...
1999 HR Derby was the Best and Second Best with Ken Griffey Jr. at Camden Yards when he hit the Warehouse.
That second homer was CRUSHED.
This was so fucking awesome. It’s really a shame that this man completely ruined his public image while playing, and now long after. Could’ve been an all time great
Josh Hamilton was on a NYC sports talk radio station the next day, and he said on every swing, he was trying to hit the ball out of Yankee Stadium.
He had a real pure swing. No wasted movement, good torque, and let's his hips move his body, body move the bat, and bat move the ball.
That juiced bat probably didn't hurt either. Lifelong commentators/pros saying multiple times that they've never heard that sound off of a bat is more than suspicious...
@@TheButcher-w7z you cry 👶 hater
@@TheButcher-w7zdumb take.. people don’t say the same dumb shit when talking about Bo Jackson
Greatest thing is when that second one hit the rear wall. Everybody in the stadium as well as watching on the tube knew....it's ON! Listen to the reaction.
MVP was the BP pitcher 🤩
Hamilton is the only player in our time with MICKEY MANTLE TALENT.
Out of this world.
His story is one of the great what-ifs in baseball history.
But................we will all have this CHERISHED memory he blessed us with.
God Will finish what he started. He started a good work in Josh and he is faithful to finish. Josh is still fighting demons to this day. Lay it down at the cross brotha.
back when sports looked like this on tv, it must've been so awesome going to games/events
Perfect example of why I would kill to know how amazingly far his career would have gone if things in his personal life didn’t interfere..
He'd be where Mickey Mantle is, statistics wise
He'd be among the all time greats. He was a complete player, he could run, hit, catch, everything. When he was on there was no one better.
One of the best swings you'll see and a powerful human...one of those guys where the ball sounded different off his bat. It's a shame what happened with injuries & personal struggles.
I remember when this happened. I was in a bad place and was inspired by his story. I ended up in rehab maybe a year after this and remember my mom giving me his book as she dropped me off. I played baseball all my life and she knew the book would resonate with me. I read it 4 or 5 times while in there. It kept me from giving up and walking out the door more than once. I hate that he ended up falling off the wagon after he retired. Haven't heard anything about him in awhile but I hope he got back on track.
I was 7 when this happened got to be one of my favorite baseball memory’s ever
I was 11 and its right there with seeing the cubs win the world series as a lifelong cubs fan lmao this just stuck with me
Started watching this as a kid, went upstairs took a shower and came back down, he was still hitting. I was so confused!
One of the most naturally talented players ever. He was incredible.
That was. The best hr derby I watched it and I was in awe
As a kid, Josh Hamilton made baseball magical. The way he hit was beautiful and you could hear the sound from anywhere in a stadium
Before every single person was locked into holding smartphones the crowds were so much more excited and into the action on the field. 2008 was right around when the iPhone came out so this was still a fired up focused crowd.
Just living in the moment
Completely agree. Nowadays the bro with the reversed straight-bill cap and no shades is using his phone to block the sun.
I went to 30+ games at that iteration of Yankee Stadium and never saw anyone, in a game or batting practice, hit a ball close to the back rows of the right field bleachers.
not taking anything away from this performance, but pretty sure Strawberry hit that back wall
This is still the greatest HR derby performance ever. Hitting multiple 500 ft plus bombs in less then 10 swings…getting 28 moonshots with only 10 strikes when you could get 30 plus strikes in the new HR derby era.
This will always be a classic!
Truly one of the greatest sorry his off field stuff and injury kept him kept him from his potential
Nothing will ever top this
I'm a 40 year old Rangers fan. From Arlington stadium to globe life. Saw MVP Gonzales, Pudge, and A Rod, Griffy in his prime. Josh Hamilton from 2007 to 2011 is best player I have ever seen
I remember me and my cousin watching this at his house, we were on the edge of our seats and in disbelief the whole time
One of the greatest players ever, natural ability at its finest. He was awesome
that crowd pop is incredible, absolutely electric.
Hamilton’s blasts looked more impressive than Vlad Jr’s
@@DTB1995 vladdys a rookie with a lot more pressure tho
Daniel Barwatt give the kid 3,4 more years and you’ll see the greatest HRD ever
Mike John , ah NO! 😳🙄🤔🤷♂️🤦♂️
@@flow1742 the only way Vlad beats Josh is if they go back to the old format.
Vlad hit way more, Hamilton hit them further.
I’ve never heard the same sound watching him doing batting practice. He just murdered baseball’s!
A moment like this one lasts forever. As annoying as New Yorkers are, they were probably giving that man super powers that day.
Fun fact...i met Gwen Stefani and Bret Michaels on a flight from LA to Phoenix the very next day.
Vladdy’s was good but this was insane
Two ToNe you don’t fuck with old yankee stadium. Vlad’s HRs were as impressive but the crowd was a fraction of what this crowd was
Vlad hit all his home runs to left field......Hamilton was roping homers to center field, right center and to right field so Josh Hamilton is the true Home run Derby King
@@mduffrules LOL, no. The crowd has nothing to do with it. How many 500 footers did Vlad hit? None. Didn’t even come close. Hamilton’s average distance on these home runs was not much less than the furthest Vlad could manage. He was child’s play compared to Hamilton. Also the ball they’ve been using in more recent years is far more juiced than the 2008 baseballs in fact the baseball juicing has gotten so ridiculous the past few years they’re going to deaden the baseball some this season.
It didn't matter, the way the winner is determine is lame. If they tire themselves out in a round they are done for in the finals. They need to fix this competition.