Canada's Morneau wins MLB home run contest

AFP, July, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — Canada's Justin Morneau beat Josh Hamilton 5-3 in the final round to win the Major League Baseball's home run hitting contest during Monday's all-star game festivities at Yankee Stadium.

Morneau reached the finals with a cumulative total of 17 homers in the first two rounds, barely more than half of Hamilton's total of 32.

But Morneau saved his best for last, crushing a pair of upper-deck shots into right field to highlight the finals.

Morneau, who plays first base for the Minnesota Twins, was appearing in the contest for a second straight year after bowing out in the first round in 2007.

© 2008 AFP