Washington Relieved Hamilton Won't Participate in Home Run Derby - East Idaho News
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Washington Relieved Hamilton Won’t Participate in Home Run Derby

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Getty S 6712 Hamilton?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1339084187165Gregory Shamus/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton may be perhaps the best slugger in Major League Baseball right now, but he won’t be showing off his skills in this year’s Home Run Derby, which is just fine with his manager Ron Washington.

Hamilton said that he was offered to take part in the annual event during All-Star weekend, but turned down the opportunity to do so at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Hamilton last participated in the contest back in 2008, where he put on a show, hitting a record 28 home runs in the opening round.

“I didn’t help him with the decision,” Washington told the Dallas Morning News. “But when he told me I was very, very happy he’s not doing it. He has so much torque in his swing. If he swings and misses, he could get hurt. And if he’s hurt, we’re hurt.”

“It’s just not the right time,” Hamilton said. “I haven’t done it in the last couple years. I want to be healthy and be the best I can be for the team.”

So far this season, Hamilton leads the Major Leagues in home runs and runs batted in.

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