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Minnesota Twins: Five Favorite All-Star Moments

By Jordan Wickstrom

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League infielder Justin Morneau (33) of the Colorado Rockies at bat in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League infielder Justin Morneau (33) of the Colorado Rockies at bat in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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July 19, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (33) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. The Orioles won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE /

Justin Morneau Controversially Win the Derby

It was a Home Run Derby to end all Home Run Derbies as Josh Hamilton hit a record-breaking 28 first round home runs.

And still lost.

Despite hitting 13 less homers overall, Morneau out-dueled Hamilton in the final round, 5-3 and took home the crown.

Yes, it was Hamilton who put on the best show but at the end of the day, it’s all about how you finish.

With the victory, Morneau became the first member of the Minnesota Twins to win the derby.

It wasn’t without controversy though as many believed Hamilton should have won because technically he did hit more bombs – 35 to Morneau’s 22.

Still, Twins fans were more than pleased to the see the former MVP represent them at the game.

And it was in New York, at the historic Yankee Stadium in what would be its final season of operation.

That performance would be one of many terrific performances by Morneau that season.

He would add a Silver Slugger to his resume and hit 23 home runs with 129 RBI’s while posting a .300 average.

Morneau also appeared in a career-high 163 games that season due to there being a one-game playoff against the Chicago White Sox, which the Twins would go onto lose.

In a way, that season was one of Morneau’s final big performances for the Twins as injuries would really begin to take its toll on his once-promising career.

So really, the performance at the derby was a great way for Morneau to make an impact on the biggest stage of them all.

Next: Number Two

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