ST. LOUIS — Prince Fielder beat the hometown boppers on their own turf.

With Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard eliminated early, Fielder won baseball's Home Run Derby last night with a steady power display that included a jaw-dropping drive estimated at 503 feet.

The Milwaukee Brewers' first baseman outslugged Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz, 6-5, in the finals at Busch Stadium to take home a title that St. Louis fans surely hoped would go to one of their own.

"It's what I expected. This is Albert's stadium and Ryan is from here," Fielder said. "I was just happy I was able to put on a show and I'm glad I won."

Pujols, the Cardinals' big first baseman, and Howard, who grew up in the Gateway City and plays for the Philadelphia Phillies, were knocked out in the second round.

"I wish I would have put a better show for our fans," Pujols said. "I was nervous a little bit."

This year's All-Star festivities were supposed to belong to Pujols in his home ballpark. But Fielder snatched the spotlight in the annual warmup for tonight's Midsummer Classic.

With three outs remaining in the final round, Fielder smacked a drive onto the grassy hill in center field to clinch the crown. He posed for a moment with his bat held high, then embraced Brewers teammate Ryan Braun near home plate.

Fielder started out using a bat that belonged to injured Milwaukee teammate Rickie Weeks, then switched to Braun's stick.

"It was a little longer," Fielder said. "Once I grabbed his bat, it felt pretty good."

Fielder, the son of former big league slugger Cecil Fielder, became the youngest player to hit 50 homers in 2007 at age 23. But that season, he was eliminated in the first round of the Home Run Derby at San Francisco.

"I knew what to expect this time so I was a little more relaxed," he said. "I think it's very competitive. I don't think (any) of the guys would be here if they weren't. But it's fun at the same time."

Fielder hit the longest shot of the night, a 503-foot drive to right-center that disappeared between two sections of bleachers.

"I'm just happy. It was pretty cool to actually win one," Fielder said before explaining his hitting philosophy. "I'm not quite sure about my mechanics. I just know I have to swing hard. In high school a lot of people told me to swing easier and everything, but I just don't know how to do that."