Canseco wins home run hitting contest

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Jose Canseco warmed up for the start of spring training with some mammoth shots Sunday to beat Rafael Palmeiro in the finals of a home run hitting contest. Canseco excited the crowd

Sunday, February 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Jose Canseco warmed up for the start of spring training with some mammoth shots Sunday to beat Rafael Palmeiro in the finals of a home run hitting contest. Canseco excited the crowd at Cashman Field by hitting 28 home runs -- most clearing the fence by large margins -- in the final to 15 for Palmeiro.

Earlier in the day, Canseco beat Chipper Jones 7-6 to get to the finals, while Palmeiro beat Andruw Jones 8-5. Canseco had hit 27 home runs in three 5-inning games entering the nine-inning final. He hit one more than his total to easily beat Palmeiro.

The made-for-TV contest featured 12 of baseball's top home run hitters. It will be televised by ESPN in March. On Saturday, Canseco eliminated his former Bash Brother Mark McGwire. Sammy Sosa was to have competed, but fell ill and had to be treated at a local hospital. The players were guaranteed a $100,000 appearance fee for the contest sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Other proceeds went to charity.