Former Missouri State University slugger Ryan Howard has taken his baseball hitting power to a new level. The Philadelphia Phillies' first baseman won the Home Run Derby competition Monday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh in a prelude to Tuesday night's All-Star game. He beat out David Wright of the New York Mets in the last round.

Howard, who poked 22 home runs in 2005 to win National League Rookie of the Year honors, has slammed 28 already this season. A St. Louis native, Howard was a three-year regular for the Bears of coach Keith Guttin from 1999 to 2001.