Mark Strittmatter had perhaps the best view in Yankee Stadium for Monday's All-Star Home Run Derby: crouching behind home plate.

From a few feet away, he got to watch Josh Hamilton swat ball after ball into the stands, catching the ones Hamilton let go.

The Virginia Commonwealth University product, now the bullpen catcher for the Colorado Rockies, caught the first round of the Home Run Derby. Hamilton blasted a record 28 homers during that round. Three landed more than 500 feet away.

"That might be the greatest display you'll ever see on a baseball field," Strittmatter said yesterday, just before heading to Yankee Stadium to serve as the National League's bullpen catcher for the All-Star Game.

Colorado's coaching staff was invited to the game because Rockies manager Clint Hurdle managed the NL team. Strittmatter ranks the experience as a highlight -- he also caught in the bullpen in the 1998 All-Star Game in Colorado -- but not quite as high as playing in the major leagues.

He played four games with the Rockies in '98.

The Ridgewood, N.J., native transferred from a junior college to VCU in 1990 and played two seasons under former coach Tony Guzzo. Strittmatter hit .361 and had five homers and 46 RBI in 1992 as the Rams won the Metro Conference Championship before losing in the Central Region final to Texas.

The Rockies, an expansion team, took him in the 28th round in their first draft.

"If it wasn't for [Coach Guzzo], I wouldn't be where I am today," Strittmatter said. "He made me a better player and helped me get drafted."

Known for his defense, Strittmatter played nine seasons in the minors, mostly at the Triple-A level (.246 career average, 27 HR, 207 RBI). He retired after the 2000 season, then went back to New Jersey and worked at his older brother's deli while giving baseball lessons.

Hurdle served as a hitting coach in Colorado's organization during Strittmatter's career. "One year, probably in 1995 or '96, he said if he ever got a big-league job, he'd keep me in mind," Strittmatter said.

Hurdle replaced Buddy Bell as Colorado's manager early in the 2002 season. Strittmatter became the bullpen catcher after that season. His duties include warming up pitchers during games, catching side sessions and throwing batting practice.

"I don't want to be a bullpen catcher the rest of my life," he said. "Unfortunately, somebody has to get fired or somebody has to get promoted to a better job [for me to move up]. I want the latter."