Home Run Derby

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 presented by Century 21 Real Estate.

Overview

Eight players are selected for the Home Run Derby and compete in a traditional playoff system where the players with the most home runs advance to the next round. Each player gets ten "outs" per round, where an out is defined as any swing that is not a home run in this case. Should a tie exist between players at the end of any round, the number of regular-season home runs by the All-Star break is the first tiebreaker and the distance of the longest home run in the first round is the second tiebreaker. 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 4 players advancing to the 2nd 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.

Until 2004, the Home Run Derby consisted of four American League players and four National League players. However, in 2005, 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 is commonly looked upon as a lead-in to the World Baseball Classic to be played in 2006. Bobby Abreu, representing Venezuela, won the first International Derby with a record 41 home runs, including a record 24 in the first round. In 2006, the selection of four players from each league to participate in the Derby was resumed.

The next Home Run Derby, the 22nd installment, will take place in San Francisco, California at AT&T Park on July 9, 2007.

During the 2005 and 2006 derbies, the Century 21 Golden Ball was used once a player reaches 9 outs. If the batter hit a home run using the golden ball, Century 21 and Major League Baseball would team up to give $21,000 per home run to charity. In both 2005 and 2006, $294,000 was raised for charity, equaling 14 golden ball home runs per year.

Home Run Derby champions

Year	Player	Team	Number of home runs
2006	Ryan Howard	Philadelphia Phillies	23
2005	Bobby Abreu	Philadelphia Phillies	41
2004	Miguel Tejada	Baltimore Orioles	27
2003	Garret Anderson	Anaheim Angels	22
2002	Jason Giambi	New York Yankees	24
2001	Luis Gonzalez	Arizona Diamondbacks	16
2000	Sammy Sosa	Chicago Cubs	26
1999	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Seattle Mariners	16
1998	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Seattle Mariners	19
1997	Tino Martinez	New York Yankees	16
1996	Barry Bonds	San Francisco Giants	17
1995	Frank Thomas	Chicago White Sox	15
1994	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Seattle Mariners	7
1993	Juan González	Texas Rangers	7
1992	Mark McGwire	Oakland Athletics	12
1991	Cal Ripken, Jr.	Baltimore Orioles	12
1990	Ryne Sandberg	Chicago Cubs	3
1989	Eric Davis	Cincinnati Reds	3
1988	Canceled due to rain
1987	Andre Dawson	Chicago Cubs	4
1986	Wally Joyner Darryl Strawberry	California Angels New York Mets	4
1985	Dave Parker	Cincinnati Reds	6

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	Los Angeles	2
Ryne Sandberg	Chicago	2
Jack Clark	St. Louis	2

1986

The Astrodome, Houston -- N.L. 8, A.L. 7
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
*Wally Joyner*	*California*	4
Jesse Barfield	Toronto	2
Jose Canseco	Oakland	1
National League
*Darryl Strawberry*	*New York*	4
Dave Parker	Cincinnati	3
Hubie Brooks	Montreal	1

1987

The 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	Atlanta	2

1988

CANCELED DUE TO RAIN

1989

Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim -- N.L. 9, A.L. 5
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
Ruben Sierra	Texas	3
Mickey Tettleton	Detroit	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
Jose 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 Gonzalez*	*Texas*	7
Ken Griffey, Jr.	Seattle	7 (lost in playoff to Gonzalez)
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

1994

Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh -- A.L. 17, N.L. 11
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
*Ken Griffey, Jr.*	*Seattle*	7
Ruben 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 (Beat Belle in finals)*
Albert Belle	Cleveland	16
Mo Vaughn	Boston	6
Manny Ramirez	Cleveland	3
National League
Ron Gant	Cincinnati	6
Sammy Sosa	Chicago	2
Reggie Sanders	Cincinnati	2
Raul Mondesi	Los Angeles	2

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 Rodriguez	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 (Beat Walker in finals)*
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

1998

Coors Field, Denver -- A.L. 53, N.L. 29
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
*Ken Griffey, Jr.*	*Seattle*	19
Jim Thome	Cleveland	7
Rafael Palmeiro	Baltimore	10
Alex Rodriguez	Seattle	5
Damion Easley	Detroit	2
National League
Vinny Castilla	Colorado	12
Moises Alou	Houston	7
Javy Lopez	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 (lost to Burnitz in round 2)
Jeff Bagwell	Houston	6
Larry Walker	Colorado	2
Sammy Sosa	Chicago	1

The 2000s

2000

Turner Field, Atlanta -- N.L. 41, A.L. 21
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
Carl Everett	Boston	12
Carlos Delgado	Toronto	6
Edgar Martinez	Seattle	2
Ivan Rodriguez	Texas	1
National League
*Sammy Sosa*	*Chicago*	26
Ken Griffey, Jr.	Cincinnati	11
Chipper Jones	Atlanta	2
Vladimir Guerrero	Montreal	2

2001

Safeco Field, Seattle -- N.L. 50, A.L. 25
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
Jason Giambi	Oakland	20 (Lost in 2nd round)
Bret Boone	Seattle	3
Alex Rodriguez	Texas	2
Troy Glaus	Anaheim	0
National League
*Luis Gonzalez*	*Arizona*	16
Sammy Sosa	Chicago	13
Barry Bonds	San Francisco	10
Todd Helton	Colorado	2

2002

Miller Park, Milwaukee -- A.L. 41, N.L. 31
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
*Jason Giambi*	*New York*	24
Paul Konerko	Chicago	12
Torii Hunter	Minnesota	3
Alex Rodriguez	Texas	2
National League
Sammy Sosa	Chicago	18
Richie Sexson	Milwaukee	10
Barry Bonds	San Francisco	2
Lance Berkman	Houston	1

2003

U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago -- A.L. 47, N.L. 39
Player	Team	Home Runs
American League
*Garret Anderson*	*Anaheim*	*22 (Defeated Pujols in finals)*
Jason Giambi	New York	23
Carlos Delgado	Toronto	2
Bret Boone	Seattle	0
National League
Albert Pujols	St. Louis	26
Jim Edmonds	St. Louis	10
Gary Sheffield	Atlanta	4
Richie Sexson	Milwaukee	1

2004

Minute Maid Park, Houston -- A.L. 47, N.L. 41
Player	Team	Round 1	Semis	Finals	Total
'	Baltimore	7	15	5	27'''
align="center"	align="center"	7	10	4	21
Rafael Palmeiro	Baltimore	9	5	–	14
Barry Bonds	San Francisco	8	3	–	11
Sammy Sosa	Chicago (N)	5	–	–	5
Jim Thome	Philadelphia	4	–	–	4
Hank Blalock	Texas	3	–	–	3
align="center"	align="center"	3	–	–	3

2005

Comerica Park, Detroit -- N.L. 66, A.L. 42
Player	Team	Round 1	Semis	Finals	Totals
'	Philadelphia	24†	6	11	41‡'''
align="center"	align="center"	7	8	5	20
align="center"	align="center"	11	4	–	15
align="center"	align="center"	17	3	–	20
align="center"	align="center"	5	–	–	5
align="center"	align="center"	5	–	–	5
align="center"	align="center"	2	–	–	2
align="center"	align="center"	0	–	–	0

†-Most in one round. ‡-Most in one Home Derby

2006

PNC Park, Pittsburgh -- N.L. 62, A.L. 24
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Finals	Total
'	Philadelphia	8	10	5	23'''
align="center"	align="center"	16	2	4	22
align="center"	align="center"	9	6	–	15
align="center"	align="center"	10	3	–	13
align="center"	align="center"	7	–	–	7
align="center"	align="center"	3	–	–	3
align="center"	align="center"	3	–	–	3
align="center"	align="center"	1	–	–	1

Hit winning home run with 5 outs left in final round

Television Show

Home Run Derby was also the name of a 1959 television show held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles pitting sluggers against each other in 9-inning home run contests. The rules were not unlike modern Home Run Derbies; however, the television show also added as an out any called strike. Nine future Hall of Famers would eventually participate in the series.

Participants included:

Batters were given 3 outs per inning, and the player with the most home runs after nine innings wins. If the players were tied after that time, the derby would go into extra innings as per regular baseball. The winner received States dollar|$" target="_blank" >^*2,000 and was invited back for the next week's episode against a new opponent. The loser received $1,000.

There was extra money awarded in certain cases however. If a batter hit three home runs in a row, he would receive a $500 bonus. A fourth home run in a row would be worth another $500 bonus. Any consecutive home runs hit beyond that would each be worth $1,000. It is believed that Jackie Jensen was the only player to hit more than three home runs in a row (he hit 5). He still lost the contest to Mickey Mantle though.

The show was also unique in that the host, Mark Scott, would often chat with each player while his opponent was batting.

Hank Aaron held the record for most money won on Home Run Derby, winning $13,000. His run of 6 consecutive wins was ended by Wally Post, who was defeated in his next outing by Dick Stuart.

Eddie Matthews was the only left-handed batter to compete. Switch-hitter Mantle batted right-handed in the contests; he hit his 565-foot home run in 1953 against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium from the right side.

Willie Mays, who was a champion later in the run (after losing in the initial contest to Mantle), joked with host Scott during his run that the host should be quiet while he batted and Scott took him up on it, whispering into the mic whenever Mays would step up to the plate.

External links

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