Caps Slugger Brumbaugh Wins Home Run Derby
July 14, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Edmonton Capitals News Release
While his Golden Baseball League stats already earn Cliff Brumbaugh the title of home run king, the Edmonton Capitals slugger added another jewel to his crown Monday night when he won the International All-Star Home Run Derby in Tucson, Arizona.
The top players in both the GBL and fellow independent circuit, the Northern League, have converged in Tucson this week for the annual all-star festivities that pit the two leagues against each other. Monday night was the home run derby (the all-star game itself is Wednesday), and much like Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz did in the Major League version, Brumbaugh stole the show.
The Caps first baseman, who leads with the GBL with 14 homers and 54 RBI through 43 games at the all-star break, defeated Jacob Blackwood from the Northern League's Kansas City T-Bones in the final round of the derby. Blackwood hit first in the final round and socked 10 dingers, but Brumbaugh did one better, smashing 11 big flies to capture the title.
"The dude from the other league gave me a good run - he hit 10 in the final round," Brumbaugh said on Tuesday via telephone from Tucson. "I didn't know if I'd be able to do it, but I got hot and the (batting practice) pitcher was putting them right where I like it. I had nine with only one out left, but I locked in and hit two more out. It was pretty clutch."
Brumbaugh's Caps teammate and fellow all-star, right fielder Tom Collaro, was also in the competition, and he too made it through the first round with five homers. The Edmonton players squared off against each other in the semifinals, with Collaro going first and hitting four to give him nine total. Brumbaugh, therefore, didn't even have to participate in the second round to advance to the final, as he already had 11 total.
"I just wanted to beat Tom actually - the final was just a bonus," laughed Brumbaugh, 36, who had MLB stints with Colorado and Texas. "He's a younger version of me, so it was a friendly competition with some bragging rights on the line."
Brumbaugh said he earned about $200 in prize money for winning the derby, given to him in Canadian, American and Mexican currency, since all three countries have teams in the GBL and NL. But much more rewarding for the slugger was getting to spend some quality time with his family, who flew to Tucson from Delaware to meet up with him.
The Caps (28-15) are absolutely scorching right now, riding a franchise-best 12-game winning streak. The Golden League record is 13 games, so Edmonton will attempt to tie and break that record this week when they return from the break to host the Yuma Scorpions. Games are slated for Thursday through Sunday at TELUS Field at 7 p.m., with the exception of Sunday's afternoon game with a 2 p.m. start.
The Capitals are Edmonton's first choice for professional baseball and family entertainment. Season seats start at less than $9 per game and are available pro-rated for the balance of the season. Individual game tickets are available for just $10 every game. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the TELUS Field Box Office during regular business hours, by calling (780) 414-GOAL (4625) or online at capsbaseball.ca.
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Golden Baseball League Stories from July 14, 2010
- Caps Add GBL Wins Leader To Rotation - Edmonton Capitals
- Victoria Seals in All-Star Action Tonight - Victoria Seals
- Caps Slugger Brumbaugh Wins Home Run Derby - Edmonton Capitals
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