The Home Run Derby is an annual Major League Baseball event held during the All-Star break. The event features some of the league's top power hitters competing in a single-elimination bracket-style tournament, with the winner being crowned the Home Run Derby champion.
The Home Run Derby has been held every year since 1985, with some of the game's most iconic players winning the event. Past winners include Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Pete Alonso.
In this article, we'll take a look at the history of the Home Run Derby, as well as the past winners of the event. We'll also discuss the format of the event and how the winner is determined.
Who Won the Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an annual Major League Baseball event held during the All-Star break, featuring top power hitters competing for the title of Home Run Derby champion.
- Inaugural Event: 1985
- Most Wins: Ken Griffey Jr. (3)
- Record Number of Home Runs: Pete Alonso (74)
- Youngest Winner: Juan Gonzalez (23 years old)
- Oldest Winner: David Ortiz (40 years old)
- Most Home Runs in a Single Round: Pete Alonso (25)
- Longest Home Run: Giancarlo Stanton (495 feet)
- Most Walk-Off Home Runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2)
The Home Run Derby is a popular event that showcases the power and excitement of Major League Baseball.
Inaugural Event: 1985
The inaugural Home Run Derby was held on July 8, 1985, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as part of the All-Star Game festivities. Eight players were invited to participate in the event, including some of the biggest power hitters in the game at the time.
The participants in the inaugural Home Run Derby were:
- Dave Parker (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Darryl Strawberry (New York Mets)
- George Hendrick (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Gary Carter (New York Mets)
- Eddie Murray (Baltimore Orioles)
- Dwight Evans (Boston Red Sox)
- Dale Murphy (Atlanta Braves)
- Tom Brunansky (Minnesota Twins)
The format of the inaugural Home Run Derby was simple: each player had 10 outs to hit as many home runs as possible. The player with the most home runs at the end of the competition would be declared the winner.
Dave Parker of the Pittsburgh Pirates won the inaugural Home Run Derby, hitting a total of 13 home runs. Parker defeated Gary Carter in the final round, 13-12.
The inaugural Home Run Derby was a success, and it quickly became one of the most popular events in Major League Baseball. The event has been held every year since 1985, and it continues to showcase the power and excitement of the game.
Most Wins: Ken Griffey Jr. (3)
Ken Griffey Jr. is the all-time leader in Home Run Derby wins, with three titles to his name. Griffey won the event in 1994, 1998, and 1999, becoming the first player to win the Home Run Derby three times.
- 1994: Griffey defeated Mike Piazza in the final round, 11-8, to win his first Home Run Derby title.
In the first round, Griffey hit a record 10 home runs, which stood for nearly 20 years until Pete Alonso broke it in 2019.
- 1998: Griffey defeated Sammy Sosa in the final round, 21-18, to win his second Home Run Derby title.
The 1998 Home Run Derby is considered to be one of the greatest Home Run Derbies of all time, as Griffey and Sosa engaged in a back-and-forth battle.
- 1999: Griffey defeated Jim Thome in the final round, 12-11, to win his third and final Home Run Derby title.
Griffey became the first player to win the Home Run Derby three times, and he is the only player to win the event in three consecutive years.
- Overall: Griffey hit a total of 65 home runs in his three Home Run Derby victories, which is the most home runs hit by any player in the history of the event.
Ken Griffey Jr. is considered to be one of the greatest all-around players in Major League Baseball history. His three Home Run Derby titles are a testament to his power and his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Record Number of Home Runs: Pete Alonso (74)
Pete Alonso set the record for the most home runs hit in a single Home Run Derby when he launched 74 home runs in the 2021 event. Alonso broke the previous record of 61 home runs, which was set by Mark McGwire in 1998.
- First Round: Alonso hit 25 home runs in the first round, which is the most home runs hit by any player in a single round of the Home Run Derby.
Alonso's 25 home runs in the first round were more than the total number of home runs hit by all of the other participants in the first round combined.
- Second Round: Alonso hit 23 home runs in the second round, which is the second-most home runs hit by any player in a single round of the Home Run Derby.
Alonso's 23 home runs in the second round were more than the total number of home runs hit by all of the other participants in the second round combined.
- Final Round: Alonso hit 26 home runs in the final round, which is the most home runs hit by any player in a single round of the Home Run Derby.
Alonso's 26 home runs in the final round were more than the total number of home runs hit by his opponent, Trey Mancini, in the entire Home Run Derby.
- Total: Alonso hit a total of 74 home runs in the 2021 Home Run Derby, which is the most home runs hit by any player in a single Home Run Derby.
Pete Alonso's record-breaking performance in the 2021 Home Run Derby was one of the most dominant displays of power in Major League Baseball history. Alonso's 74 home runs in the event are a testament to his incredible strength and his ability to hit the ball a long way.
Youngest Winner: Juan Gonzalez (23 years old)
Juan Gonzalez is the youngest player to ever win the Home Run Derby, claiming the title at just 23 years old in 1993. Gonzalez, a rising star with the Texas Rangers at the time, showcased his prodigious power in the event, launching a total of 31 home runs.
Gonzalez's victory in the 1993 Home Run Derby was a coming-out party for the young slugger. He defeated some of the biggest names in baseball at the time, including Darryl Strawberry, Mark McGwire, and Barry Bonds, to capture the title.
Gonzalez's performance in the Home Run Derby helped to raise his profile around the league and solidified his status as one of the most promising young players in baseball. He went on to have a successful career, winning two Silver Slugger Awards and making two All-Star teams.
Despite his early success, Gonzalez's career was plagued by injuries. He never quite lived up to the lofty expectations that were placed on him after his Home Run Derby victory. However, his brief moment in the spotlight is still remembered by baseball fans as one of the most impressive displays of power in the history of the event.
Juan Gonzalez's victory in the 1993 Home Run Derby is a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to power hitting. Gonzalez was just 23 years old when he won the event, but he had the strength and the skill to compete with the best hitters in the game.
Oldest Winner: David Ortiz (40 years old)
David Ortiz is the oldest player to ever win the Home Run Derby, claiming the title at the age of 40 in 2010. Ortiz, a beloved figure in Boston Red Sox history, put on a show for the home crowd at Fenway Park, launching a total of 32 home runs.
- First Round: Ortiz hit 11 home runs in the first round, which was the most home runs hit by any player in the first round of the 2010 Home Run Derby.
Ortiz's 11 home runs in the first round were more than the total number of home runs hit by all of the other participants in the first round combined.
- Second Round: Ortiz hit 10 home runs in the second round, which was the second-most home runs hit by any player in the second round of the 2010 Home Run Derby.
Ortiz's 10 home runs in the second round were more than the total number of home runs hit by all of the other participants in the second round combined.
- Final Round: Ortiz hit 11 home runs in the final round, which was the most home runs hit by any player in the final round of the 2010 Home Run Derby.
Ortiz's 11 home runs in the final round were more than the total number of home runs hit by his opponent, Prince Fielder, in the entire Home Run Derby.
- Overall: Ortiz hit a total of 32 home runs in the 2010 Home Run Derby, which is the most home runs hit by any player in a single Home Run Derby since 2002.
David Ortiz's victory in the 2010 Home Run Derby was a fitting end to a legendary career. Ortiz, who was in his final season with the Red Sox, showed that he still had plenty of power left in his bat. His performance in the Home Run Derby was a reminder of why he is one of the most beloved players in Red Sox history.
Most Home Runs in a Single Round: Pete Alonso (25)
Pete Alonso set the record for the most home runs hit in a single round of the Home Run Derby when he launched 25 home runs in the first round of the 2021 event. Alonso broke the previous record of 24 home runs, which was set by Bobby Abreu in 2005.
Alonso's 25 home runs in the first round were more than the total number of home runs hit by all of the other participants in the first round combined.
Alonso's record-breaking performance in the first round helped him to advance to the second round of the Home Run Derby, where he hit 23 home runs. Alonso went on to win the event, defeating Trey Mancini in the final round.
Alonso's 25 home runs in the first round of the 2021 Home Run Derby is one of the most impressive displays of power in the history of the event. Alonso's performance is a testament to his incredible strength and his ability to hit the ball a long way.
Pete Alonso's record-breaking performance in the 2021 Home Run Derby is a reminder that he is one of the most powerful hitters in Major League Baseball. Alonso's 25 home runs in the first round of the event are a testament to his incredible strength and his ability to hit the ball a long way.
Longest Home Run: Giancarlo Stanton (495 feet)
Giancarlo Stanton hit the longest home run in the history of the Home Run Derby when he launched a 495-foot blast in the first round of the 2016 event. Stanton's home run landed in the second deck of Marlins Park, which is one of the deepest ballparks in Major League Baseball.
Stanton's 495-foot home run was the longest home run hit in any Major League Baseball game in 2016. It was also the longest home run hit in the Home Run Derby since Statcast began tracking home run distances in 2015.
Stanton's record-breaking home run helped him to advance to the second round of the Home Run Derby, where he hit 24 home runs. Stanton went on to win the event, defeating Todd Frazier in the final round.
Giancarlo Stanton's 495-foot home run in the 2016 Home Run Derby is one of the most impressive displays of power in the history of the event. Stanton's home run is a testament to his incredible strength and his ability to hit the ball a long way.
Giancarlo Stanton's record-breaking home run in the 2016 Home Run Derby is a reminder that he is one of the most powerful hitters in Major League Baseball. Stanton's 495-foot home run is a testament to his incredible strength and his ability to hit the ball a long way.
Most Walk-Off Home Runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the only player in Home Run Derby history to hit two walk-off home runs in a single event. Guerrero accomplished this feat in the 2021 Home Run Derby, defeating Shohei Ohtani and Pete Alonso in the first two rounds.
- First Round: Guerrero hit a walk-off home run in the first round to defeat Shohei Ohtani, 29-28.
Guerrero's walk-off home run in the first round was a 468-foot blast to center field.
- Second Round: Guerrero hit a walk-off home run in the second round to defeat Pete Alonso, 23-22.
Guerrero's walk-off home run in the second round was a 479-foot blast to left field.
- Final Round: Guerrero lost to Trey Mancini in the final round, 23-22.
Guerrero did not hit a walk-off home run in the final round, but he did come close. His final home run of the event was a 473-foot blast that just missed clearing the fence.
- Overall: Guerrero hit a total of 49 home runs in the 2021 Home Run Derby, which was the second-most home runs hit by any player in a single event.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s performance in the 2021 Home Run Derby was one of the most impressive displays of power and clutch hitting in the history of the event. Guerrero's two walk-off home runs helped him to reach the final round, where he came close to winning the event.
FAQ
Have questions about the Home Run Derby? Here are some frequently asked questions:
Question 1: Who has won the most Home Run Derbies?
Answer: Ken Griffey Jr. has won the most Home Run Derbies, with three titles to his name.
Question 2: Who hit the most home runs in a single Home Run Derby?
Answer: Pete Alonso hit a record 74 home runs in the 2021 Home Run Derby.
Question 3: Who is the youngest player to win the Home Run Derby?
Answer: Juan Gonzalez is the youngest player to win the Home Run Derby, claiming the title at just 23 years old in 1993.
Question 4: Who is the oldest player to win the Home Run Derby?
Answer: David Ortiz is the oldest player to win the Home Run Derby, claiming the title at the age of 40 in 2010.
Question 5: Who hit the longest home run in the Home Run Derby?
Answer: Giancarlo Stanton hit the longest home run in the Home Run Derby, a 495-foot blast in the 2016 event.
Question 6: Who has hit the most walk-off home runs in the Home Run Derby?
Answer: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the only player to hit two walk-off home runs in a single Home Run Derby, which he accomplished in the 2021 event.
Question 7: How many home runs did Barry Bonds hit in the Home Run Derby?
Answer: Barry Bonds hit a total of 11 home runs in the Home Run Derby, with his best finish being second place in 2002.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the Home Run Derby. For more information, please visit the official Major League Baseball website.
Now that you know a little more about the Home Run Derby, here are some tips for watching the event:
Tips
Here are some tips for watching the Home Run Derby:
Tip 1: Choose the right platform. The Home Run Derby is broadcast on a variety of platforms, including television, radio, and streaming services. Choose the platform that best suits your needs and preferences.
Tip 2: Gather your snacks and drinks. The Home Run Derby is a long event, so make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand. You don't want to miss any of the action because you're running to the kitchen.
Tip 3: Invite your friends and family. The Home Run Derby is a great event to watch with friends and family. Make it a party and enjoy the competition together.
Tip 4: Play along. There are a number of ways to play along with the Home Run Derby. You can keep track of the home runs hit by each player, or you can try to guess who will win the event. You can also participate in online fantasy leagues or pools.
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By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a great time watching the Home Run Derby.
The Home Run Derby is a fun and exciting event that showcases the power and skill of Major League Baseball's best hitters. Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard baseball enthusiast, there's something for everyone to enjoy at the Home Run Derby.
Conclusion
The Home Run Derby is one of the most popular events in Major League Baseball. It's a chance for fans to see the game's best hitters compete in a single-elimination tournament, with the winner being crowned the Home Run Derby champion.
Over the years, some of the biggest names in baseball have won the Home Run Derby, including Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Pete Alonso. These players have thrilled fans with their incredible power and their ability to hit the ball a long way.
The Home Run Derby is a great event for fans of all ages. It's a chance to see some of the best hitters in the game compete in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard baseball enthusiast, there's something for everyone to enjoy at the Home Run Derby.
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So next time you're looking for a fun and exciting baseball event to watch, be sure to tune in to the Home Run Derby. You won't be disappointed.