Reds great Ken Griffey Jr. to throw first pitch before Home Run Derby

Former Cincinnati Reds slugger Ken Griffey Jr. will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Home Run Derby at Great American Ballpark next week.

Former Cincinnati Reds slugger Ken Griffey Jr. will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Home Run Derby at Great American Ballpark next week, the league announced Tuesday. 

Griffey, a three-time Derby champion, hit 210 of his 630 career home runs during his nine seasons in Cincinnati. 

The participants for Monday's event have not been announced but Bryce Harper and Nelson Cruz have already said they will not participate. 

This year's contest will feature a new format. Players will each be given five minutes to hit as many home runs as possible and will receive bonus time for hitting long home runs. 

- Dan Gartland