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SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
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If you want to know about home runs, who better to ask than sluggers themselves? We asked three of the greatest — Ken Griffey, who is inching toward 600; Harmon Killebrew, tied for No. 8 all-time, and Frank Thomas, who needs eight more to reach 500 — to share their insight on all things power.
Do you remember your first homer in the majors?
Griffey: Eric King. First pitch (in his first at-bat) at the Kingdome. To left-center.
Killebrew: I was 18 years old, playing in old Griffith Stadium in Washington (June 24, 1955). Billy Hoeft was pitching, and Frank House was catching. He told me, ‘Kid we're going to throw you a fastball.' Being so young, I didn't know whether to believe him or not. But the pitch came, it was a fastball and I hit it 476 feet. When I crossed home, House said, ‘Kid, that's the only time we're going to tell you what's coming.' "
Thomas: I forget who; it was a left-hander (Gary Wayne). A long time ago (Aug. 28, 1990), in Minnesota. I hit my first one in a dome.
What part of hitting a home run is the most enjoyable?
Griffey: Touching home plate.
Killebrew: For me, the ones that were fun were the ones that helped win a ballgame. There was no high-fiving, no fist-pumping. You hit it and went about your business.
Thomas: I'm always surprised when it happens because it takes a lot to hit one. You've got to be perfect. The crack of the bat is a special sound every time you hit one. I'm not so surprised, but once it happens, it's like a phenomenon. I enjoy it every time I hit one.
What's your favorite ballpark for hitting home runs?
Griffey: Anywhere the wind is blowing out. In all directions. Wrigley would be one.
Killebrew: I think every right-handed hitter who played in the American League liked Fenway Park. You were never out of a game there. I think I hit 37 home runs there but should have had 38. I hit a ball in the center-field seats, and when I was rounding second, the umpire told me I better stay there. He said the ball had hit the wall. The next day, before the game, I went out and asked Reggie Smith, who was playing center field for the Red Sox, if that ball hit the seats, and he said it did. That season I finished with 49 home runs.
Thomas: There's a few that I really like to hit in. Cleveland is one, Comiskey Park's one. And Fenway.
What's the toughest ballpark to hit a homer in?
Griffey: Definitely Detroit. Detroit's always just big, even old Detroit.
Killebrew: There were several in those days. For a right-handed hitter, Yankee Stadium had that long center field, and left-center. Cleveland wasn't the easiest, either. You know, maybe good pitching had something to do with those places.
Thomas: Detroit. Yep, Detroit.
How have you tweaked your home-run trot over the years?
Griffey: Not on purpose. It's just happened. Used to have that youthful trot. When you get older, it's not a matter of enjoying it more. It's more, whew, I don't have to run around here. It's a little slower.
Thomas: No; I've always respected it. I had a coach a long time ago tell me, "You hit them every day in batting practice, so don't act like it's your first time." I've always had respect for pitchers. They have to make a mistake for everything to go right for me, so why try to embarrass them?
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
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