A few major league sluggers haven't forgotten where they came from

Joe Mauer invited his old high school coach, Jimmy O'Neill, to be his pitcher in last night's Home Run Derby. Josh Hamilton did something similar in last year's derby when he invited Clay Council a mentor/coach/sandlot legend from his hometown of Raleigh, NC to lob him balls in Yankee Stadium.

What a superb gesture by both Mauer and Hamilton to show their appreciation for people that got them where they are today. Sure major league coaches have helped them too but they get much more recognition. Major league coaches also get to put on a uniform, go to work in a big league stadium, and be around major league players on a daily basis. Folks like O'Neill and Council do not. They're regular guys. For them to get the chance to toss baseballs off a mound in front of a national audience and in the presence of an All-Star cast of major league players is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Players like Mauer and Hamilton chose to give that experience to a deserving individual from their past.

Ryan Braun, on the other hand, selected his agent to pitch to him in last year's Home Run Derby. Braun's agent does have a story, so it isn't all bad. It just doesn't seem to convey the same message to the public.

Matt Holliday asking his brother, Josh, pitch to him in 2007 was also a classy move.