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 will take 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.

File:GoldBall2010.jpg

The 2010 gold ball, used in Anaheim, California.

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.

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.

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
						1	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	Phillies	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. - , N.L. -
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Subtotal	Finals	Total
José Bautista	Blue Jays	-	-	-	-	-
Robinson Canó	Yankees	-	-	-	-	-
Prince Fielder	Brewers	-	-	-	–	-
Adrian Gonzalez	Red Sox	-	-	-	–	-
David Ortiz	Red Sox	-	–	-	–	-
Matt Kemp	Dodgers	-	–	-	–	-
Rickie Weeks	Brewers	-	–	-	–	-
Matt Holliday	Cardinals	-	–	-	–	-

Notes:
Italicized players are respective League Captains. Do work Robinson. Go Yanks!

Statistics by team

Team	Wins	Participants	Home Runs
Seattle	3	12	77
Chicago (NL)	3	10	76
Anaheim	3	4	43
Baltimore	2	11	92
Philadelphia	2	6	91
New York (AL)	2	3	57
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	8	92
Cincinnati	2	8	36
Detroit	0	8	33
Colorado	0	7	52
Cleveland	0	6	37
Florida	0	3	47
Arizona	1	2	16
Montreal/Washington	0	4	10
San Diego	0	4	9
Los Angeles	0	4	7
Pittsburgh	0	3	2
Tampa Bay	0	2	9
Kansas City	0	2	3

Most home runs in the entire tournament (Excluding Swingoff Playoffs)

1. Bobby Abreu (2005) - 41
2. Josh Hamilton (2008) - 35 (28 in one round, is most in a single round)
3. David Ortiz (2010) - 32
4. Miguel Tejada (2004) - 27
5. Sammy Sosa (2000), Albert Pujols (2003), Hanley Ramírez (2010) - 26
6. Jason Giambi (2002) - 24
7. Ryan Howard (2006), Jason Giambi (2003), Prince Fielder (2009) - 23
8. David Wright (2006), Garrett Anderson (2003), Justin Morneau (2008) - 22
9. Lance Berkman (2004), Nelson Cruz (2009) - 21
10. David Ortiz (2005), Iván Rodríguez (2005), Jason Giambi (2001) - 20
11. Ken Griffey, Jr. (1998), Larry Walker (1997), Alex Rios (2007) - 19
12. Sammy Sosa (2002) - 18
13. Jim Thome (1998), Barry Bonds (1996), Vladimir Guerrero (2007) - 17
14. Luis Gonzalez (2001), Ken Griffey, Jr. (1999), Mark McGwire (1999), Tino Martinez (1997), Albert Belle (1995) - 16
15. Miguel Cabrera (2006), Carlos Lee (2005), Mark McGwire (1996), Frank Thomas (1995), Ryan Howard (2009) - 15
16. Rafael Palmeiro (2004), Jeromy Burnitz (1999), Lance Berkman (2008), Ryan Braun (2008) - 14
17. David Ortiz (2006), Sammy Sosa (2001), Matt Holliday (2007), Albert Pujols (2007), Corey Hart (2010) - 13
18. Miguel Cabrera (2010), Paul Konerko (2002), Carl Everett (2000), Vinny Castilla (1998), Mark McGwire (1992), Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) - 12
19. Barry Bonds (2004), Ken Griffey, Jr. (2000), Brady Anderson (1996), Albert Pujols (2009) - 11

Most home runs all time (Excluding Swingoff Playoffs)

1. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 70
2. David Ortiz - 68
3. Jason Giambi - 67
4. Sammy Sosa - 65
5. Mark McGwire - 56
6. Albert Pujols - 50
7. Barry Bonds - 47
8. Bobby Abreu - 41
9. Ryan Howard - 41
10. Lance Berkman - 39

Most all-time wins

1. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 3

See also

• Baseball awards
• List of MLB awards
• The National Classic (a high-school tournament, with a home run derby)

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