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Morneau skipping home run derby

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 | 2:36 PM ET

CBC Sports

Justin Morneau leads the Twins with 21 home runs this season. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Defending champion Justin Morneau has declined an invitation to participate in this year's home run derby, held a day before the 2009 All-Star Game.

"They asked me yesterday," Morneau told MLB.com on Tuesday. "I said I wasn't going to do it."

The New Westminster, B.C. native defeated Texas' Josh Hamilton 5-3 in the final to win the title last year.

Hamilton, who isn't participating in this year's derby either, hit 28 home runs in the first round of the 2008 event before tiring in the latter stages of the competition.

Morneau leads the Minnesota Twins in homers this season, with 21 to his credit.

St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder of Milwaukee, and Adrian Gonzalez of San Diego have already committed to the event.

The 2009 All-Star Game is set for next Tuesday in St. Louis.

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BIO: Justin Morneau

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