- Home Run Derby
-
This is about the Major League Baseball contest. For the 1960 television show of the same name, see Home Run Derby (TV series).
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance. Former sponsors have included Century 21 Real Estate and Service Merchandise.
Overview
2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby
Eight players are selected for the Home Run Derby and compete in a traditional playoff system, in which the players with the most home runs advance to the next round. Each player gets ten "outs" per round; in this case, an out is defined as any swing that is not a home run. Should a tie exist between players at the end of any round, there will be a five swing swing-off to determine who will advance, followed by extra swings if needed. Until 2006, the home run count was reset after each round. However, a rule change was made for the 2006 Home Run Derby which causes the home run count for the four players advancing to the second round to carry over. The home run count for the final round is still reset to zero.
Prior to 1991, the Home Run Derby was structured as a two-inning event with each player receiving five outs per inning which allowed for the possibility of ties.
In 2000, a match play format was instituted for the second round. The player with the most home runs in the first round faced the player with the least among the four qualifying players, as did the players with the second and third-most totals. The contestant who won each matchup advanced to the finals. This format was discontinued after the 2003 Derby.
For the most part, the field of players selected consists of four American League players and four National League players. The first Derby in 1985 featured five from each league, and the Derbies in 1986 and 1987 each featured three and two players from each league, respectively. In 1996, the field was again expanded to ten players, five from each league, though in 1997, the American League had six contestants to the NL's four. In 2000, the field reverted to the four-player-per-league format, which it has remained ever since. The only exception has been in 2005, when Major League Baseball chose to change the look of the contest, still having eight players, but with the players representing their home countries rather than their respective leagues. This was commonly looked upon as a lead-in to the World Baseball Classic which was played in March 2006. Bobby Abreu, representing Venezuela, won the first International Derby with a record 41 home runs, including a then-record 24 in the first round, broken only by Josh Hamilton with 28 home runs in 2008. In 2006, the selection of four players from each league to participate in the Derby was resumed. In 2011, the format was revised so that there were team captains selecting the sides. Leading the American League will be David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, while Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers will lead the National League.
The 2010 event was held in Anaheim, California at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 12, 2010. The 2011 event took place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on July 11, 2011. The 2012 event is scheduled for July 9, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Since 2005, a gold ball has been used once a player reaches nine outs. If a batter hit a home run using the golden ball, Century 21 Real Estate and Major League Baseball would donate $21,000 (a reference to the "21" in "Century 21") per home run to charity (MLB donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Century 21 donated to Easter Seals). In both 2005 and 2006, $294,000 was raised for the charities, equaling fourteen golden ball home runs per year. State Farm continued this in 2007 as they designated $17,000 per home run (one dollar for each of State Farm's agencies), to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In the 2007 event, fifteen golden balls were hit for a donation of $255,000, and ten ($170,000) were hit in the 2008 event. For 2009, State Farm added $5,000 for all non-Gold Ball homers, and $517,000 was collected. For 2010, the non-Gold Ball homer was reduced to $3,000 per home run and a total of $453,000 was collected.
Television and radio coverage
The derby was first nationally televised by ESPN in 1993 on a same-day delayed basis, with the first live telecast in 1998. Although two hours were initially devoted to the telecast, it hasn't been uncommon for the program to run over schedule. The 2006 through 2008 events, for example, lasted nearly three hours. Starting in 2009, three hours were devoted to the event.
The 2008 Derby was the year's most highly rated basic cable program.[1]
Because of the game's TV popularity, invited players have felt pressure to participate. Notably, Ken Griffey Jr. initially quietly declined to take part in 1998, partly due to ESPN scheduling the Mariners in their late Sunday game the night before. After a discussion with ESPN's Joe Morgan and another with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, Griffey changed his mind, and then won the Derby at Coors Field.[2]
ESPN Radio also carries the event annually.
Complete scoreboard
The 1980s
1985
The Metrodome, Minneapolis—A.L. 17, N.L. 16 Player Team Home Runs American League Jim Rice Boston 4 Eddie Murray Baltimore 4 Carlton Fisk Chicago 4 Tom Brunansky Minnesota 4 Cal Ripken, Jr. Baltimore 1 National League Dave Parker Cincinnati 6 Dale Murphy Atlanta 4 Steve Garvey San Diego 2 Ryne Sandberg Chicago 2 Jack Clark St. Louis 2 1986
Astrodome, Houston—N.L. 8, A.L. 7 Player Team Home Runs American League Wally Joyner California 4 Jesse Barfield Toronto 2 José Canseco Oakland 1 National League Darryl Strawberry New York 4 Dave Parker Cincinnati 3 Hubie Brooks Montreal 1 1987
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland—N.L. 6, A.L. 2 Player Team Home Runs American League George Bell Toronto 1 Mark McGwire Oakland 1 National League Andre Dawson Chicago 4 Ozzie Virgil, Jr. Atlanta 2 1988
Home Run Derby canceled due to rain.
1989
Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim—N.L. 9, A.L. 5 Player Team Home Runs American League Rubén Sierra Texas 3 Mickey Tettleton Baltimore 1 Bo Jackson Kansas City 1 Gary Gaetti Minnesota 0 National League Eric Davis Cincinnati 3 Glenn Davis Houston 2 Howard Johnson New York 2 Kevin Mitchell San Francisco 2 The 1990s
1990
Wrigley Field, Chicago—N.L. 4, A.L. 1 Player Team Home Runs American League Mark McGwire Oakland 1 Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 0 José Canseco Oakland 0 Cecil Fielder Detroit 0 National League Ryne Sandberg Chicago 3 Matt Williams San Francisco 1 Bobby Bonilla Pittsburgh 0 Darryl Strawberry New York 0 1991
SkyDome, Toronto—A.L. 20, N.L. 7 Player Team Home Runs American League Cal Ripken, Jr. Baltimore 12 Cecil Fielder Detroit 4 Joe Carter Toronto 2 Danny Tartabull Kansas City 2 National League Paul O'Neill Cincinnati 5 George Bell Chicago 2 Chris Sabo Cincinnati 0 Howard Johnson New York 0 1992
Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego—A.L. 27, N.L. 13 Player Team Home Runs American League Mark McGwire Oakland 12 Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 7 Joe Carter Toronto 4 Cal Ripken, Jr. Baltimore 4 National League Larry Walker Montreal 4 Gary Sheffield San Diego 4 Fred McGriff San Diego 3 Barry Bonds Pittsburgh 2 1993
Camden Yards, Baltimore—A.L. 20, N.L. 12 Player Team Home Runs American League Juan González Texas 7 Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 7 * Cecil Fielder Detroit 4 Albert Belle Cleveland 3 National League Barry Bonds San Francisco 5 Bobby Bonilla New York 5 David Justice Atlanta 2 Mike Piazza Los Angeles 0 * Lost in playoff to Gonzalez
1994
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh—A.L. 17, N.L. 11 Player Team Home Runs American League Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 7 Rubén Sierra Oakland 4 Frank Thomas Chicago 4 Albert Belle Cleveland 2 National League Fred McGriff Atlanta 5 Jeff Bagwell Houston 3 Dante Bichette Colorado 3 Mike Piazza Los Angeles 0 1995
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington—A.L. 40, N.L. 12 Player Team Home Runs American League Frank Thomas Chicago 15 * Albert Belle Cleveland 16 Mo Vaughn Boston 6 Manny Ramírez Cleveland 3 National League Ron Gant Cincinnati 3 Sammy Sosa Chicago 2 Reggie Sanders Cincinnati 2 Raúl Mondesí Los Angeles 2 * Beat Belle in finals
1996
Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia—A.L. 36, N.L. 23 Player Team Home Runs American League Mark McGwire Oakland 15 Brady Anderson Baltimore 11 Jay Buhner Seattle 8 Joe Carter Toronto 2 Greg Vaughn Milwaukee 0 National League Barry Bonds San Francisco 17 Henry Rodríguez Montreal 3 Jeff Bagwell Houston 2 Ellis Burks Colorado 1 Gary Sheffield Florida 0 1997
Jacobs Field, Cleveland—A.L. 32, N.L. 29 Player Team Home Runs American League Tino Martinez New York 16 * Mark McGwire Oakland 7 Brady Anderson Baltimore 4 Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 3 Nomar Garciaparra Boston 0 Jim Thome Cleveland 0 National League Larry Walker Colorado 19 Jeff Bagwell Houston 5 Chipper Jones Atlanta 3 Ray Lankford St. Louis 2 * Beat Walker in finals
1998
Coors Field, Denver—A.L. 53, N.L. 29 Player Team Home Runs American League Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 19 Rafael Palmeiro Baltimore 10 Jim Thome Cleveland 17 Alex Rodriguez Seattle 5 Damion Easley Detroit 2 National League Vinny Castilla Colorado 12 Moisés Alou Houston 7 Javy López Atlanta 5 Mark McGwire St. Louis 4 Chipper Jones Atlanta 1 1999
Fenway Park, Boston—N.L. 39, A.L. 23 Player Team Home Runs American League Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 16 Nomar Garciaparra Boston 2 B.J. Surhoff Baltimore 2 Shawn Green Toronto 2 John Jaha Oakland 1 National League Jeromy Burnitz Milwaukee 14 Mark McGwire St. Louis 16 * Jeff Bagwell Houston 6 Larry Walker Colorado 2 Sammy Sosa Chicago 1 * Lost to Burnitz in round 2
The 2000s
2000
Turner Field, Atlanta—N.L. 41, A.L. 21 Player Team Round 1 Semis Finals Total Sammy Sosa Cubs 6 11 9 26 Ken Griffey, Jr. Reds 6 3 2 11 Carl Everett Red Sox 6 6 – 12 Carlos Delgado Blue Jays 5 1 – 6 Edgar Martínez Mariners 2 – – 2 Chipper Jones Braves 2 – – 2 Vladimir Guerrero Expos 2 – – 2 Iván Rodríguez Rangers 1 – – 1 Semifinals Finals 1 Ken Griffey, Jr. 3 4 Carlos Delgado 1 1 Ken Griffey, Jr. 2 3 Sammy Sosa 9 2 Carl Everett 6 3 Sammy Sosa 11 2001
Safeco Field, Seattle—N.L. 41, A.L. 25 Player Team Round 1 Semis Finals Totals Luis Gonzalez Diamondbacks 5 5 6 16 Sammy Sosa Cubs 3 8 2 13 Jason Giambi Athletics 14 6 – 20 Barry Bonds Giants 7 3 – 10 Bret Boone Mariners 3 – – 3 Todd Helton Rockies 2 – – 2 Alex Rodriguez Rangers 2 – – 2 Troy Glaus Angels 0 – – 0 Semifinals Finals 1 Jason Giambi 6 4 Sammy Sosa 8 4 Sammy Sosa 2 3 Luis Gonzalez 6 2 Barry Bonds 3 3 Luis Gonzalez 5 2002
Miller Park, Milwaukee—A.L. 42, N.L. 31 Player Team Round 1 Semis Finals Totals Jason Giambi Yankees 11 6 7 24 Sammy Sosa Cubs 12 5 1 18 Paul Konerko White Sox 6 6 – 12 Richie Sexson Brewers 6 4 – 10 Torii Hunter Twins 3 – – 3 Barry Bonds Giants 2 – – 2 Alex Rodriguez Rangers 2 – – 2 Lance Berkman Astros 1 – – 1 Semifinals Finals 1 Sammy Sosa 5 4 Richie Sexson 4 1 Jason Giambi 7 2 Sammy Sosa 1 2 Jason Giambi 7 3 Paul Konerko 6 * Giambi defeated Konerko in a swing off
2003
U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago—A.L. 47, N.L. 39 Player Team Round 1 Semis Finals Total Garret Anderson Angels 7 6 9 22 Albert Pujols Cardinals 4 14 8 26 Jason Giambi Yankees 12 11 – 23 Jim Edmonds Cardinals 4 4 – 8 Gary Sheffield Braves 4 – – 4 Carlos Delgado Blue Jays 2 – – 2 Richie Sexson Brewers 1 – – 1 Bret Boone Mariners 0 – – 0 Semifinals Finals 1 Jason Giambi 11 4 Albert Pujols 14 4 Albert Pujols 8 2 Garret Anderson 9 2 Garret Anderson 6 3 Jim Edmonds 4 2004
Minute Maid Park, Houston—A.L. 47, N.L. 41 Player Team Round 1 Semis Finals Total Miguel Tejada Orioles 7 15 5 27 Lance Berkman Astros 7 10 4 21 Rafael Palmeiro Orioles 9 5 – 14 Barry Bonds Giants 8 3 – 11 Sammy Sosa Cubs 5 – – 5 Jim Thome Phillies 4 – – 4 Hank Blalock Rangers 3 – – 3 David Ortiz Red Sox 3 – – 3 2005
Comerica Park, Detroit—N.L. 66, A.L. 42 Player Team Round 1 Semis Finals Totals Bobby Abreu Hey :D 24 6 11 41 Iván Rodríguez Tigers 7 8 5 20 David Ortiz Red Sox 17 3 – 20 Carlos Lee Brewers 11 4 – 15 Hee-Seop Choi Dodgers 5 – – 5 Andruw Jones Braves 5 – – 5 Mark Teixeira Rangers 2 – – 2 Jason Bay Pirates 0 – – 0 2006
PNC Park, Pittsburgh—N.L. 62, A.L. 24 Player Team Round 1 Round 2 Subtotal Finals Total Ryan Howard Phillies 8 10 18 5 23 David Wright Mets 16 2 18 4 22 Miguel Cabrera Marlins 9 6 15 – 15 David Ortiz Red Sox 10 3 13 – 13 Jermaine Dye White Sox 7 – 7 – 7 Lance Berkman Astros 3 – 3 – 3 Miguel Tejada Orioles 3 – 3 – 3 Troy Glaus Blue Jays 1 – 1 – 1 2007
AT&T Park, San Francisco—A.L. 42, N.L. 32 Player Team Round 1 Round 2 Subtotal Finals Total Vladimir Guerrero Angels 5 9 14 3a 17 Alex Ríos Blue Jays 5 12 17 2 19 Matt Holliday Rockies 5 8 13 – 13 Albert Pujols Cardinals 4 (2) 9 13 – 13 Justin Morneau Twins 4 (1) – 4 – 4 Prince Fielder Brewers 3 – 3 – 3 Ryan Howard Phillies 3 – 3 – 3 Magglio Ordóñez Tigers 2 – 2 – 2 Notes:
^a Recorded only seven of ten outs before hitting winning home run.
Italicized numbers denote swing-offs.2008
Yankee Stadium, New York—A.L. 66, N.L. 39 Player Team Round 1 Round 2 Subtotal Finals Total Justin Morneau Twins 8 9 17 5 22 Josh Hamilton Rangers 28a 4b 32 3 35 Lance Berkman Astros 8 6 14 – 14 Ryan Braun Brewers 7 7 14 – 14 Dan Uggla Marlins 6 – 6 – 6 Grady Sizemore Indians 6 – 6 – 6 Chase Utley Phillies 5 – 5 – 5 Evan Longoria Rays 3 – 3 – 3 Notes:
^a New single round record.
^b Voluntarily ended round with four outs.2009
Busch Stadium, St. Louis—N.L. 51, A.L. 31 Player Team Round 1 Round 2 Subtotal Finals Total Prince Fielder Brewers 11 6 17 6 23 Nelson Cruz Rangers 11 5 16 5 21 Ryan Howard Phillies 7 8 15 – 15 Albert Pujols Cardinals 5 (2) 6 11 – 11 Carlos Peña Rays 5 (1) – 5 – 5 Joe Mauer Twins 5 (0) – 5 – 5 Adrian Gonzalez Padres 2 – 2 – 2 Brandon Inge Tigers 0 – 0 – 0 Notes:
Italicized numbers denote swing-offs.The 2010s
2010
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim—A.L. 50, N.L. 44 Player Team Round 1 Round 2 Subtotal Finals Total David Ortiz Red Sox 8 13 21 11 32 Hanley Ramirez Marlins 9 12 21 5 26 Corey Hart Brewers 13 0 13 – 13 Miguel Cabrera Tigers 7 5 12 – 12 Matt Holliday Cardinals 5 – 5 – 5 Nick Swisher Yankees 4 – 4 – 4 Vernon Wells Blue Jays 2 – 2 – 2 Chris Young Diamondbacks 1 – 1 – 1 2011
Chase Field, Phoenix—A.L. 76, N.L. 19 Player Team Round 1 Round 2 Subtotal Finals Total Robinson Canó Yankees 8 12 20 12ab 32 Adrian Gonzalez Red Sox 9 11 20 11 31 Prince Fielder Brewers 5 (5) 4 9 – 9 David Ortiz Red Sox 5 (4) 4 9 – 9 Matt Holliday Cardinals 5 (2) – 5 – 5 Jose Bautista Blue Jays 4 – 4 – 4 Rickie Weeks Brewers 3 – 3 – 3 Matt Kemp Dodgers 2 – 2 – 2 Notes:
Italicized players are Team Captains.
Numbers in parentheses denote tiebreaker swingoffs, not included in the final total.
^a Recorded only six of ten outs before hitting winning home run.
^b New final round record.Statistics by team
Team Wins Participants Home Runs New York (AL) 3 5 99 Seattle 3 12 77 Chicago (NL) 3 10 76 Los Angeles (AL) 3 4 43 Baltimore 2 11 92 Philadelphia 2 6 91 Oakland 1 11 62 Texas 1 9 55 Milwaukee 1 8 57 San Francisco 1 7 48 New York (NL) 1 6 33 Minnesota 1 6 33 Chicago (AL) 1 5 42 Houston 0 10 64 Toronto 0 10 41 Atlanta 0 10 31 St. Louis 0 13 95 Boston 1 10 132 Cincinnati 2 8 36 Detroit 0 8 33 Colorado 0 7 52 Cleveland 0 6 37 Florida 0 3 47 Arizona 1 2 17 Montreal/Washington 0 4 10 San Diego 0 4 9 Los Angeles 0 5 9 Pittsburgh 0 3 2 Tampa Bay 0 2 9 Kansas City 0 2 3 Most home runs in the entire tournament (Excluding Swingoff Playoffs)
- Bobby Abreu (2005) - 41
- Josh Hamilton (2008) - 35 (28 in one round, is most in a single round)
- David Ortiz (2010), Robinson Cano (2011) - 32
- Adrian Gonzalez (2011) - 31
- Miguel Tejada (2004) - 27
- Sammy Sosa (2000), Albert Pujols (2003), Hanley Ramírez (2010) - 26
- Jason Giambi (2002) - 24
- Ryan Howard (2006), Jason Giambi (2003), Prince Fielder (2009) - 23
- David Wright (2006), Garrett Anderson (2003), Justin Morneau (2008) - 22
- Lance Berkman (2004), Nelson Cruz (2009) - 21
- David Ortiz (2005), Iván Rodríguez (2005), Jason Giambi (2001) - 20
- Ken Griffey, Jr. (1998), Larry Walker (1997), Alex Rios (2007) - 19
- Sammy Sosa (2002) - 18
- Jim Thome (1998), Barry Bonds (1996), Vladimir Guerrero (2007) - 17
- Luis Gonzalez (2001), Ken Griffey, Jr. (1999), Mark McGwire (1999), Tino Martinez (1997), Albert Belle (1995) - 16
- Miguel Cabrera (2006), Carlos Lee (2005), Mark McGwire (1996), Frank Thomas (1995), Ryan Howard (2009) - 15
- Rafael Palmeiro (2004), Jeromy Burnitz (1999), Lance Berkman (2008), Ryan Braun (2008) - 14
- David Ortiz (2006), Sammy Sosa (2001), Matt Holliday (2007), Albert Pujols (2007), Corey Hart (2010) - 13
- Miguel Cabrera (2010), Paul Konerko (2002), Carl Everett (2000), Vinny Castilla (1998), Mark McGwire (1992), Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) - 12
- Barry Bonds (2004), Ken Griffey, Jr. (2000), Brady Anderson (1996), Albert Pujols (2009) - 11
Most home runs all time (Excluding Swingoff Playoffs)
- David Ortiz - 77
- Ken Griffey, Jr. - 70
- Jason Giambi - 67
- Sammy Sosa - 65
- Mark McGwire - 56
- Albert Pujols - 50
- Barry Bonds - 47
- Bobby Abreu - 41
- Ryan Howard - 41
- Lance Berkman - 39
Most all-time wins
- Ken Griffey, Jr. - 3
See also
- Baseball awards
- List of MLB awards
- The National Classic (a high-school tournament, with a home run derby)
References
External links
- MLB.com: 2006 Home Run Derby
- MLB.com: 2007 Home Run Derby
- MLB.com: 2008 Home Run Derby
- Baseball-Almanac.com: Home Run Derby Results and Analysis
- State Farm Insurance becomes title sponsor of MLB Home Run Derby
Major League Baseball All-Star Game Games 1930s-1940s1950s-1960s1970s-1980s1990s-2000s2010sPlayers American League All-Stars · National League All-StarsEvents Results and Awards See also ² — Two All-Star Games were played these seasons. Italics indicate future games.Home Run Derby champions 1985: Parker | 1986: Joyner, Strawberry | 1987: Dawson | 1988: Canceled | 1989: Davis | 1990: Sandberg | 1991: Ripken Jr. | 1992: McGwire | 1993: J. González | 1994: Griffey, Jr. | 1995: Thomas | 1996: Bonds | 1997: Martinez | 1998: Griffey, Jr. | 1999: Griffey, Jr. | 2000: Sosa | 2001: L. Gonzalez | 2002: Giambi | 2003: Anderson | 2004: Tejada | 2005: Abreu | 2006: Howard | 2007: Guerrero | 2008: Morneau | 2009: Fielder | 2010: Ortiz | 2011: CanóMajor League Baseball on ESPN Radio Play-by-play Charley Steiner (1998-2001) • Dan Shulman (2002-2007) • Gary Thorne (2008-2009) • Jon Sciambi (2010-present)Analysts Studio hosts Joe D'Ambrosio (1998-present)AL Championship Series NL Championship Series AL Division Series NL Division Series All-Star Game World Series Related programs Commentators Lore 1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase · The Flip Play · The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty · Steve Bartman · Yankees – Red Sox rivalry · Curse of the Bambino · Curse of the Billy Goat · Final game at Yankee Stadium · "The Bug Game" · Roy Halladay's postseason no-hitter · Death of Osama bin LadenTie-breaker games1998 NL WildCard Playoff · 1999 NL Wildcard Playoff · 2007 NL Wild Card Playoff · 2008 AL Central Playoff · 2009 AL Central PlayoffRelated articles Major League Baseball on the radio • Home Run DerbyCategories:- Recurring events established in 1985
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