Hamilton plans to skip Home Run Derby

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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton told Dallas radio station ESPN 103.3 FM on Tuesday that he's not planning to participate in the Home Run Derby at this year's All-Star Game.

"I ain't going to mess with it this year if I get voted in," Hamilton said about the Home Run Derby during an interview with Galloway & Company, adding that he'd already talked to his wife about it.

Hamilton is currently third among American League outfielders in the All-Star voting, slipping ahead of teammate Nelson Cruz. The top three in outfield voting will start the All-Star Game.

Hamilton captivated the country with his impressive performance in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium in 2008, bashing a record 28 homers in the first round of the competition. He ended up finishing second to Justin Morneau in the finals.

"I feel like, 'Why mess up a good thing?'" Hamilton said following Tuesday's 6-3 victory over Pittsburgh, the Rangers' ninth win in a row. "I've got nothing to prove. It's fun. I would like to do it, but you've got to think about the whole season and the club."

Hamilton hit his 17th home run and extended his hitting streak to 17 games Tuesday to continue a torrid June. In 20 games this month, he has eight homers, 21 runs and 26 RBIs and is hitting .476.

He is hitting .339 with 53 RBIs for the season.

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

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Richard Durrett

ESPNDallas.com

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Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.