The Home Run Derby's Greatest Moments

Since the Home Run Derby began 31 years ago, there have been many memorable moments—including Ken Griffey Jr.'s repeated dominance in the '90s, Josh Hamilton’s famous 28-homer first-round in 2008, and Todd Frazier's hometown heroics in 2015's newly implemented timed rounds.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 15, 2013

The Home Run Derby's Greatest Moments

1985

Dave "The Cobra" Parker was the original Home Run Derby champion, belting six home runs to defeat a field that included Jim Rice and future Hall of Famers Eddie Murray, Carlton Fisk, Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryne Sandberg at the Metrodome. Back then it was an AL vs. NL competition, and the Junior Circuit won 17-16.

1990

Future Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg took home top honors in a Derby that was decidedly toned down from what it would become in later years. He needed only three home runs to win it at Wrigley Field, his home ballpark.

1991

Cal Ripken Jr. blew away the field with 12 home runs at the Skydome and then homered in the All-Star Game as well to take home MVP honors. He is one of only three players to win the Derby and homer in the Game, with Frank Thomas (1995) and Garret Anderson (2003) being the others.

1993

Ken Griffey Jr. led the American League to a 21-12 win over the NL, thanks in part to a home run off the warehouse across the street from Camden Yards.

1996

Future Home Run King Barry Bonds took home his only Derby crown at Veterans Stadium long before any rumors of performance-enhancing drugs surfaced.

1998

Ken Griffey Jr. became the first two-time winner of the Derby by edging Jim Thome 19-17 at Coors Field.

1999

Reigning single-season Home Run King Mark McGwire lived up to his title by blasting 13 home runs over the Green Monster to open the Derby at Fenway Park. McGwire would falter in the second round, though, as Ken Griffey Jr. took his second consecutive crown.

2000

Sammy Sosa electrified the Turner Field crowd by crushing the field with a then-record 26 homers. The next-highest total belonged to Boston's Carl Everett with 12, though it was Ken Griffey Jr. who made it to the final round opposite Sosa.

2004

At Minute Maid Park in Houston, Miguel Tejada topped hometown favorite Lance Berkman in the final round with five home runs and an overall total of 27.

2005

At Comerica Park, Bobby Abreu went ballistic with a record 24 home runs in the first round and belted another 11 in the finals to defeat Pudge Rodriguez. Abreu would hit 41 total for the Derby to set an overall record. Ironically, Abreu would hit only six home runs in the second half of the season.

2006

AP (2); Chuck Solomon for Sports Illustrated

Ryan Howard's 23rd and final homer eliminated runner-up David Wright (22 HRs) and clinches his first Derby crown in Pittsburgh.

2007

The kayaks came out in droves for the Derby in San Francisco, but they went home empty-handed -- zero homers would be counted as "Splash Hits."

2008

While Justin Morneau was the official winner, it was Josh Hamilton who captured the hearts of Yankee Stadium fans, breaking Bobby Abreu's mark for one round by clubbing a Derby-record 28 homers in the first round.

2011

Brad Mangin and John Biever for Sports Illustrated

Robinson Cano outslugged Adrian Gonzalez to win a Home Run Derby that turned into a Yankees-Red Sox showdown. Batting last and being pitched to by his father, Cano defeated Gonzalez 12-11 in the finals after they each hit 20 home runs through two rounds

2012

Prince Fielder tied the finals record as he beat Jose Bautista 12-7 at Kauffman Stadium. The Tigers slugger, who hit 28 homers in all, including a 476-foot shot, joined Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players with multiple Derby wins.

2013

Chuck Solomon (2) and Erick W. Rasco for Sports Illustrated

Yoenis Cespedes became the first player left out of the All-Star Game to take home the crown, needing just five outs to pass Bryce Harper in the finals with a 455 foot shot to center field. In only his second major league season, the outfielder from Cuba hit a whopping 17 home runs in the first round—more than any other player managed in their first two trips to the plate. Cespedes would go on to win again next year.

2015

In the first year with timed rounds, it came down to the wire. Playing in front of his home fans at Great American Ball Park, Todd Frazier crushed one to the seats in left centerfield on his first bonus-round swing in the final round, giving him a 15–14 win over Dodgers rookie Joc Pederson. A year after falling short in the final, the Reds third baseman walked away with the hardware this time, becoming just the second player to win in front of his home crowd, joining the Cubs’ Ryne Sandberg (1990) in that category.

2016

Giancarlo Stanton crushed a Derby-record 61 home runs en route to a victory. Stanton cruised through each of his matchups, winning 24–7 against Robinson Cano, 17–14 against Mark Trumbo, and 20–13 against defending champ Todd Frazier in the final round. Stanton hit towering shot after towering shot, wowing the crowd with his ability to spray balls all over the field. The Marlins outfielder hit the 10 longest bombs of the night, as well as 18 of the 19 longest.

The Home Run Derby's Greatest Moments