Josh Hamilton's phoenix-like story has captured fan's hearts.

For once, the Home Run Derby had some relevance. Justin Morneau won the event but Josh Hamilton really captivated the crowd Monday night in the Bronx.  Hamilton set a record with 28 home runs in the first round, in one stretch hitting 13 straight bombs. His swing was electrifying, and the crowd loved hearing every crack of the bat. He showed consistency, and unbelievable power with some of his tape-measure blasts nearly leaving Yankee Stadium.

His performance was noteworthy in All-Star history, and I think it was a perfect sendoff to a legendary stadium.  Hamilton, a former crack addict, has a back-story that makes this success even sweeter. (Usually crack is associated with being a poor man’s drug and once you are hooked nothing but bad things happen to you.) Hamilton initially had promise, but game insiders were very naive to his condition because he was so talented.  His crack addiction was hidden, but not for long and he later lost everything.  He was thrown out of the minor league system for three years, but once given a chance by the Cincinnati Reds he had a great season.  This year, with a trade to the Texas Rangers, I feel his life has come full circle, and rebounding from crack to possibly winning the AL MVP is awfully impressive.

There was another interesting story surrounding the All-Star game this year and it involves Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon.  I agree with most baseball purists that Rivera is one of the best pitchers and no doubt best relief pitcher of my era. But Papelbon was very cocky over the weekend by essentially saying he was the better reliever, and he should have the opportunity to save the game if necessary.  Papelbon wants to be the best and it starts with having confidence.  Unfortunately, I have to give the nod to Rivera since he is the all-time best closer in what could be his last year as a Yankee.  Why would you deny him the opportunity to close the All-Star game in his home stadium? Papelbon thinks he’s better than Mariano, but not yet.  The resume of Rivera in pressure situations affords him in legendary status.  Pap may get there but the innings and championships on his resume do not equal or surpass Rivera’s just yet.

On to a new topic… Do you think the winner of the All-Star game should dictate who has home field advantage in the World Series? This topic has various opinions in the sports world.  But look at this scenario; Rivera has a save opportunity in this years All-Star game but Red Sox skipper Terry Francona shuns Papelbon.  Rivera blows the save and the AL loses the game, and the Red Sox go to the WS with no home field advantage.  Red Sox nation would be beside itself and what would they think of Francona then?

I feel the game should be a place to showcase players and emphasize special stories, but having to make decisions that affect the WS is mind-boggling. I just don’t agree with it. We Sox fans could get penalized for respecting and honoring a rival player from the Yankees.  We might be in a position to sacrifice a possible home field advantage, which is not entirely fair.

On the football scene, Peyton Manning had surgery on his knee this week.  He had an infected bursa sac so it was removed. It will not affect the mechanics of his knee but the problem resides over the kneecap, so it will take longer to heal.  He had the same problem on his other knee in 1997 but had his knee drained and opted against surgery.  He is expected to make a full recovery in 4-6 weeks, but what if he doesn’t get better?

Manning has played 160 games in a row and is in jeopardy of missing a regular season game.  I only mention this because he’s been a thorn in the side of my beloved Patriots, and as a fan I look for every advantage possible.  I think the Colts have some concerns.  Manning will miss training camp work and could ultimately miss the preseason.  I know the guy may go down as one of the best quarterbacks ever, but we all need practice.  Yes, Allen Iverson, we need practice, so I feel the Patriots have the edge again in the AFC with the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars as our heaviest competition.  The Jags should have the inside track on wining the AFC South.

Here are few non All-Stars you should check out for the second half of the season:

Ryan Theriot – has certainly been fun to own this year. Theriot is hitting a cool .320 with 52 runs scored and 15 steals.

Kelly Shoppach –has hit well as the Indians' regular catcher with Victor Martinez on the DL. He's batting .310 (22-for-71) with eight doubles, four homers and 13 RBI in 21 games since Martinez's injury in the middle of June,

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Jerry Hairston - Hairston has been a surprise in his first year with the Reds. He hit .351 in 188 at-bats in the first half. The All-Star break will give him some time to heal a hurt hamstring.  Try to use him in shortened series situations going down the stretch.