The King of Swing by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz claims his first Home Run Derby crown


He’s too old; his bat speed is gone; he’s washed up; his power has diminished.

Now his critics have one more thing to add to their list: 2010 Home Run Derby Champion.

Competing among the likes of some of the premiere power hitters in the game such as Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday, and Hanley Ramirez, David Ortiz stood the tallest. Bringing his booming bat with him to Anaheim to compete in his fourth Home Run Derby, Ortiz sank his doubters lower and lower into their chairs with each mighty swing that he took.

After blasting 18 homers in the first half, Ortiz wowed the crowd at Angel Stadium, ripping eight long balls in the first round, punching his ticket to the second round.

Joining Ortiz in round number two were the likeliest of candidates, Miguel Cabrera, Cory Hart and former Red Sox farmhand, Hanley Ramirez. After a weak showing from Hart – no homers, after hitting 12 in the first round – and Miguel Cabrera, who mustered five homers on top of his seven first-round shots.

The former Portland Sea Dog, Ramirez, hit nine over the wall in the first round and came just one shy of Papi’s total in the second round, launching twelve.

In convincing fashion, Ortiz cranked out 13 big flys to give him 21 long balls to admit him into the finals for the first time in his four attempts at taking the Home Run Derby crown.

With both Ramirez and Ortiz mashing 21 homers each in the first two rounds to lead all participants, it was only fitting for the two to match up in the finals. Ortiz, who was a mentor to Ramirez in his time with Boston, put on a show for baseball fans to remember.

"Hanley is like a son to me. He grew up with us in Boston,” said Ortiz of Ramirez.

Big Papi murdered eleven home runs to open the finals, as Ramirez could only muster five more.

For the first time in his big league career, Ortiz held the Home Run Derby Champion trophy over his head, dedicating his captivating performance to his fallen friend, Jose Lima. "Rest in peace. It's for you my boy," Ortiz said of Lima.

"It means a lot to me," Ortiz said. "Thanks to the fans for the support. Thanks to everyone for showing up. We do this for you guys. We want to make sure you guys enjoy the show."

The longest homer for Ortiz sailed a whopping 478 feet, as his 32 homers all averaged out at 416 feet.

The 32 blasts for Ortiz in a single Home Run Derby competition is the third most in a single tournament, trailing Josh Hamilton’s 35 in 2008, and Bobby Abreu’s 41 in 2005.

His 32 bombs added to his career Home Run Derby total to give him 68 all-time, which is just two home runs shy of Ken Griffey Jr.’s all-time best of 70, while competing in eight derbys throughout his soon to be Hall of Fame career.

While Griffey has won three, and nobody else has won more than one, Ortiz certainly put his stamp on Home Run Derby history on Monday night.

-Jared Carrabis



To order Jared's debut book, One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk, click HERE!





Published on July 12, 2010

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