Did you see the show Josh Hamilton put on at the annual Home Run Hitting contest Monday night? Mercy.

28 first round home runs? And some were simply the stuff legends are made of. Be careful equating what Hamilton did with what players do in actual games. But that aside, this was something. Deadspin had the video up this morning. But here is a piece of what Hamilton did in Yankee Stadium Monday night.

And the reviews from around the country are pouring in. Among the better takes on this is Jayson Stark's in his espn.com posting.

Even baseball lifer Peter Gammons was impressed enough to write this in his posting today.

And from si.com's Joe Sheehan, this piece of prose about Hamilton.

I've never, ever been a proponent of trading a player who has the potential to affect 162 games a season for a player (pitcher) who can only affect 25-30. And while I still disagree with the trade Wayne Krivsky pulled off with the Rangers last winter, it's hard to view it as anything but a 'win-win' for the two clubs. Edinson Volquez has a chance to be the 'ace' of the Reds staff for a long time. But think about this: how much better would the Reds have been if they had a pitcher in their system like Volquez, home grown, someone they didn't 'have' to trade for? Then, they would have had that guy, as well as Hamilton. Pie in the sky? Not really. If the Reds had drafted Tim Lincecum in 2006 instead of Drew Stubbs, they'd have had had exactly that situation. Lincecum has already won 10 game this season. Stubbs, an outfielder, is stuck in "AA"

Our pal Ryan Parker, the sports songwriter is at it again. Check out his latest video about the reluctant retiree, Brett Favre. Make sure you 'click' next to the speaker icon on the right so you can listen.

More videos from the "ryanparkersongs's channel" channel at Heavy.com

My guess? Favre is traded, the Packers don't make the playoffs and all hell breaks loose in dairy land.

It's a fascinating story playing out in Sarasota. It could have a happy ending, or one that could be devastating.

The Cincinnati Reds have reported to spring training. Pitchers and catchers reported over the weekend along with a handful of everyday players. Josh Hamilton is there.

Hamilton was the number one overall pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. Coming out a small high school in North Carolina, Hamilton was one of the best baseball players in a generation. He could hit for power and average, run, throw and field. Hamilton was the classic 'five tool player'. Within two years, after injuries had prevented him from playing a full season in the minors, Hamilton was mired in a world of alcohol and drug abuse. Instead of standing in the outfield for the Rays, he was flat on his back in a crack house. The Rays were patient, giving him chance after chance. But this past winter, they finally cut their ties with him. Sensing this might happen, the Reds did their homework on Hamilton. The had a first person encounter with him: Reds manager, Jerry Narron, had known Hamilton since the one time phenom was in grade school.

Reds General Manger, Wayne Krivsky snagged Hamilton in baseball's Rule 5 draft, in December. It was a calculated risk. If Hamilton isn't good enough to make the Reds' 25 man roster, he has to be offered back to the Rays for $25,000, half of what it cost the Reds to draft him. If he is good enough, the Reds have found an ultimate bargain, one who has options, the ability to be sent back to the minors without risk of being claimed for three years after this coming season.

Monday, in Sarasota, Hamilton held a 40 minute news conference. He says he's clean and sober. He and his wife brought only one car to spring training, he caries no cash and will have someone handle his meal money on the road this season. He wants no temptations. Hamilton even quoted a verse from the bible. But like most recovering addicts, it all sounds good. The proof will be how he lives his life, not how he talks about it. On a lot of levels, Reds fans can't help but pull for him.

Reliever Gary Majewski, damaged goods when he arrived from DC last summer, is still not healthy. He's been put on a 'pitching program'....not good....The Bears go to the Super Bowl on the strength of their defense, then fire their defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, Monday...there's a story behind that that's about to explode....Norv Turner surfaces as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He's flamed out twice as a head coach. But even Turner can screw up with the talent he has in San Diego....Dressed in a black vest and purple shirt Monday night, Kansas State head coach Bob Huggins appeared to be dressed more for hosting a Mardi Gras party, not a basketball game...NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, is bringing in some of the best and the brightest from his game this week to discuss how to cut down on the trouble some of his players get into, off the field. Here's a question: why bring in the 'good guys'? Bring in some of the idiots that get into trouble. And don't ask them how they can stay out of trouble. Tell them if they get into trouble again, they're suspended for a year. Then work it out with the union.

Check out the latest edition of Broo v. Broo. You can find it on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Broo v. Broo is 'the' most opinionated sports show in cyber space. This week, we deal with NASCAR's cheating, free agency in the NFL, who's number one in college hoops and a myriad of other this.