Rob Stratton and Brandon Larson were proof positive of that.

Stratton came into the contest leading all of the minors with 29 home runs for the Pacific Coast League's [PCL] Albuquerque Isotopes.

Larsen had gone yard 17 times for the Louisville Bats, the most in the International League [IL].

Michael Restovich, a 6-foot-4 240-pounder from the Rochester Redwings, and "The Sledgehammer", Edmonton Trapper Terrmel Sledge rounded out the field of four.

The rules were easy. Hit the ball over the wall and don't get out. An out is basically anything off the bat that doesn't go over the wall.

Restovich led off the group as the crowd was buzzing for the festivities to begin. He was able to hit two home runs over the left field wall before he made the 10 out limit.

Perhaps his mind wasn't into it that day as has been suffering through a self-described "slump". Make no doubt though, with 29 homers last season in the PCL, this Minnesota Twin prospect has the power be a big league hitter.

Standing 6-foot-nothing and a lean 180 pounds, Terrmel Sledge is more of an on-base percentage guy than a prototypical long ball hitter. He displayed some power on this day though, with a shot that cleared the trees living in deep centerfield at AutoZone Park.

Sledge hit two more, pulling one to the opposite field, to take the lead in the derby with 3 homers.

The big boys were up next, and believe me; they were as good as advertised.

Brandon Larson of the Louisville Bats had experience on his side, winning last year's derby in Oklahoma City, and it showed.

Unlike their MLB counterparts, there was no doubt the
"Mid-South Showdown", showcased the best home run hitters in their respective leagues.

He hit two of the first three pitches out of the park. Then he got on a roll.

Using, what can only be described as a "very sweet" stroke, Larson proceeded to rip seven more. Numbers 5, 6, & 7 were all hit in a row, with the ninth and the final shot bouncing out on to the street.

Rob Stratton came into the All-Star game with 29 HRs under his belt.

He smacked two more to finish the first round with seven, setting up the battle everyone wanted too see; the IL's best against the PCL's best.

After a five-minute intermission, Stratton went first and showed the raw power that has enabled him to be the best home run hitter in the minors this season.

Hitting ten over the fence should be impressive enough. I shouldn't have to say that AutoZone Park was not big enough to hold four of them.

From the press box, you could see them flying out of the park, endangering the illegally parked vehicles out on the street.

Stratton's eighth homer shot off his bat like a rocket.

It soared over 470 feet, flying past the grass berm in deep left, and was by far the longest blast of the day.

The all-stars from both teams sat on the grass jostling, joking, and having a great time. You see their faces light up as they watched the balls Stratton hit travel further and further over the fence, Larson included.

Although he tried, Larson just couldn't compete with Stratton's surge of power. He was able to muster five home runs, but wasn't able to come any closer than that.

For his accomplishments, Stratton took home $1000 cash and a $500 dollar gift certificate from Old Navy.

Although Larson was awarded only $500 dollars, he may have had the proverbial 'last laugh'.

He got a better reward the next afternoon, a call from Cincinnati on the day of the Triple-A All-Star Game.

It was the call every minor leaguer wishes to answer.

"I was just hanging out in my room when the phone rang. I saw the Cincinnati area code and knew right away," Larson said.

With that call, Brandon Larson became the newest member of the Cincinnati Reds.

Larsen came into the all-star break on fire, putting together a triple crown bid with a .324 batting average, and 65 RBI along with a league leading 17 homers.

"I'm going to go up there and try to keep doing what I'm doing and help the team out," Larson stated.

Although the Reds did not want Larson to play third base in the all-star game, IL Manager Marc Bombard did get him in at DH.

The mood in the IL clubhouse was indeed lively and it seemed everyone wanted to share in Larson's celebration.

"Everyone was congratulating me, and really happy for me," Larson said about his teammates. "They're really great guys."

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