July 14, 2008: Josh Hamilton hits a record 28 in the opening round of the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. He finished the event with 35 home runs, but ultimately lost to Justin Morneau 5-3 in the final round.
Hamilton broke Bobby Abreu's mark of 24 home runs in the opening round, which he set in 2005. He connected on 13 of them consecutively while having eight outs.
2008 was Hamilton's first season as an All-Star.
Hamilton was selected first overall in the 1999 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His struggle with off-field issues postponed his MLB debut until the 2007 season, where his made a pinch-hit appearance for the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded to the Texas Rangers after the season, in exchange for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.
After a solid spring training, Hamilton secured a starting spot in the Rangers outfield for the 2008 season. The next five years he had the best stretch of his career, highlighted by five All-Star appearances and an AL MVP in 2010.
Hamilton's long road to stardom is one of the best comeback stories in all of sports. The blue-chip prospect was destined for stardom. Struggling with a drug addiction, Hamilton went to rehab eight times, and didn't play in the majors until nearly eight years after he was drafted.
Here is a video recap of Hamilton's 2008 Home Run Derby performance:
