Over The Monster: What Does Derby Win Mean For David Ortiz?

David Ortiz hit eight dingers in the first round, 13 tater tots in the second round and then 11 smashes in the final frame to win the 2010 Home Run Derby (a fact likely lost on Joe Morgan, who is surely still talking about Ortiz's shoes). And while Ortiz seemed genuinely thrilled when he received his trophy, ultimately, it's a rather meaningless exhibition, an accomplishment that will likely be forgotten by the time he retires. So what does the win mean for Ortiz?

Ortiz winning the Derby may or may not have any impact on the rest of the season. A lot of Derby champions go out in the second half and seem to struggle. Although this doesn't mean Ortiz will definitely fall off the map, he could.

Or he could go out and build on this.

Ortiz told everyone tonight that watched that he can still play baseball. He's still a slugger. He can still hit home runs and he can still be a valuable asset to the Boston Red Sox. He's not washed up; he's still one of the best designated hitters in the American League.

At this very moment, David Ortiz is smiling. He isn't smiling because he won the Home Run Derby, though. He's smiling because he's still got it -- and now everyone knows that now. Not just him.

2010 Home Run Derby: David Ortiz Wins Derby With 11 Home Runs In Final Round

It was young versus old in the finals of the 2010 Home Run Derby.

Chalk this one up to the veteran.

David Ortiz's 11 home runs in the final round was good enough to win this year's Home Run Derby. Hanley Ramirez hit just five home runs in the final round.

Ortiz is the first Boston Red Sox to ever win the Derby. Ortiz was the oldest competitor in this year's contest.

For more on David Ortiz's Home Run Derby win, visit Over the Monster.

2010 Home Run Derby: David Ortiz Smokes 11 Home Runs In Final Round, Ties Derby Record

Just when you thought David Ortiz would tire, he doesn't.

Ortiz hit 11 home runs in the final round of the 2010 Home Run Derby. It ties a final round record.

All of Ortiz's home runs were hit to right field. He had a few hits that fell just a foot or two short of going over the wall.

It's all on Hanley Ramirez's shoulders now, who needs to hit 12 home runs to win the 2010 Home Run Derby.

2010 Home Run Derby: David Ortiz Heading To Finals With Hanley Ramirez

And then there were two.

David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez -- who both hit 21 home runs through the first two rounds -- are in the finals of the 2010 Home Run Derby.

Corey Hart, who led Derby with 13 home runs after the first round, hit none in the second round. Miguel Cabrera hit just five in the second round.

Both finalists have their storied histories with the Red Sox. Ortiz, obviously, is one of the best hitters in recent Red Sox memory. Meanwhile, Ramirez came up through the minor leagues in the Red Sox's system. Ramirez was traded before the 2005 season to Florida. The Red Sox received Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell in that deal.

2010 Home Run Derby: Ortiz Puts On A Laser Show With 13 Home Runs In Round Two

It's obvious that David Ortiz took a few tips from teammate Dustin Pedroia after the first round of the Home Run Derby, because he put on a Laser Show in round two.

Ortiz hit 13 home runs in round two to give him 21 overall. Big Papi started off hot, hitting eight home runs while just having two outs early on.

Ortiz's longest home run was 478 feet, topping his best from the first round (440). All of Ortiz's home runs were hit to right field.

Ortiz was the first player to hit in the second round. Corey Hart, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera are set to follow.

2010 Home Run Derby: Corey Hart, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera Join Ortiz In Second Round

With the first round in the books, David Ortiz will be joined by Corey Hart, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera in the second round. Here's how the first round broke down:

Corey Hart -- 13
Hanley Ramirez -- 9
David Ortiz -- 8
Miguel Cabrera -- 7
Matt Holliday -- 5
Nick Swisher -- 4
Vernon Wells -- 2
Chris Young -- 1

2010 Home Run Derby: David Ortiz Guarantees 2nd Round Appearance With Eight Homers

Don't question David Ortiz because he can still hit a home run or two.

Or eight.

Ortiz guaranteed himself a spot in the second round after hitting eight home runs in the first round of the 2010 Home Run Derby. All eight home runs were pulled to right field. His longest home run checked in at 440 feet.

Rays' closer Rafeal Soriano made an appearance when he walked out to give Ortiz a towel and a Gatorade with two outs remaining. Ortiz put on a little show while he cooled off, but failed to hit any more home runs.

Joe Morgan also really, really likes Ortiz's red and black shoes. He made that known a handful of times while Ortiz was at the plate.

Milwaukee's Corey Hart currently leads the field with 13 home runs.

2010 Home Run Derby: David Ortiz Swings For The Fences, And (Meaningless) Glory

Chris Berman is fine-tuning his "BackBackBackBackBackBackGONE!" which can only mean one thing: it's time for the MLB Home Run Derby.

The 2010 Home Run Derby begins Monday night, at 8 P.M. EDT, and is set to broadcast live from Angel Stadium on ESPN, ESPN 3D (it's ESPN's first program fully produced in 3D) and ESPN Deportes.

The rules, which are painfully simple but yet will be repeated roughly 1843 times tonight, are as follows:

• hit a home run
• if you swing and don't hit a home run, it's an out
• after 10 outs, your round is over
• all eight players hit in the first round; the top four move onto to the second round (with totals carrying over from the opening round); the top two slug it out for all the glory in the finals.

From the Mothership, a brief look at the eight participants (none of which are the Blue Jays' José Bautista, who leads all of baseball with 24 home runs, so there's some credibility right there):

American League

National League

WHO'S MISSING

There are currently 11 players in the league with 20 or more home runs. Nine of them - Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton, Joey Votto, Adam Dunn, Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, Paul Konerko, Mark Reynolds, and Prince Fielder - either declined to participate, or were not invited. Which is how we wound up with Hanley Ramirez, who currently has fewer home runs than Shane Victorino. Meaningful competition!

ODDS & FAVORITES

Coming straight from some place called Sports Interaction:

• David Ortiz and Miguel Cabrera are tied as favorites to win, at +250, which is a gambling term that means something
• Hanley Ramirez faces the longest odds, at +1000
  
• Nick Swisher is the current favorite to hit the fewest dingers in the first round, at +350
• Ortiz and Cabrera are also favorites for the longest home run in the first round, and the most first round homers overall

We'll provide live updates after each round for David Ortiz here in this StoryStream.