2004 MLB HR Derby/All-Star Game Highlights July 12-14

[@cdelano81]

All-Star time in the Lone-Star State of Houston, Texas. All eyes were on the sluggers on July 12 for the annual Home Run Derby. Barry Bonds, 20 home runs shy of 700, hit 8 dingers in Round 1 but failed to advance to the finals after only 3 clouts in Round 2. Instead, the spotlight shined on the O's Miguel Tejada and the Astros' hometown kid Lance Berkman. Especially Tejada, who sent 15 balls to orbit in the semis to reach the finals Berkman had 10 to join Miggy. In the finals, Lance went deep four times, but it wasn't enough. Tejada connected for five and win the Derby. Congrats on the former A's shortstop and 2002 AL MVP for winning the Derby. The next day, the 75th MLB Mid-Summer classic commenced. It was Roger Clemens vs. Mark Mulder. Muhammad Ali threw out the first ball. But the AL hitters sent Clemens an early TKO in the first inning when Ichiro opened with a triple. Pudge doubled him home. Manny Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano homered in the inning as the AL scored 6 runs. David Ortiz also went deep as the AL won their 2nd straight game and 8 of the last 9, 9-4. Soriano was named ASG MVP with his home run, 2 hits and three RBIs. The American League win meant that the AL World Series participant would get home field advantage for the Fall Classic. Anyway, the next day, Jimy Williams got the ax by the Astros and was replaced by Phil Garner. Only time will tell if Garner will right the sinking Astros' ship in the 2nd half. We await the 2nd half highlights.

[@hmhm856]

I remember that the story into the game was how Roger Clemens will be the starting pitcher while his catcher will be Mike Piazza. Clemens got destroyed in the first inning. Rumors were that, as payback, Piazza was telling the hitters the pitches that Clemens would throw, so that Clemens can get hit around and embarrassed on national TV.

[@LaMostraVia]

Y’all know piazza may or may not of let those dudes know what was coming lol

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

Most surprising team in 2004 to this point: Milwaukee Most disappointing team in 2004 to this point: Houston

[@hmhm856]

Is that Yadier Molina catching in the home run derby?

[@hmhm856]

10:00 Eric Gagne vs Hank Blalok, in a rematch from the 2003 All Star game

[@andrewsheehy9938]

Miguel Tejada gets the win in the Home Run Derby or as I like to call it Back, Back, Back, Back, Gone! The All-Star Game itself was an easy win for the American League.

[@hmhm856]

6:22 Giambi should not have been the AL starting firstbasemen. He shouldnt even have made the All Star team Jeter should not have been the AL starting shortstop. AROD should not have been the AL starting thirdbasemen. Ichiro is NOT a centerfielder for him to start as a centerfielder.

[@hmhm856]

6:39 Piazza should not have been the starting catcher for the NL, since hes been mostly a firstbasemen in 2004 also Lance Berkman has played centerfield in his career before, but not in 2004 I think, but ill let it pass since he plays for the Astros and the Astros are hosting the game. Sosa should not have been the starting rightfielder; he missed many games with the sneezes