Home Run Derby

This article is about the Major League Baseball contest. For other uses, see Home Run Derby (disambiguation).

The Home Run Derby is an annual home run hitting competition in Major League Baseball (MLB) customarily held the day before the MLB All-Star Game, which places the contest on a Monday in July. In the context of the competition a "home run" consists of hitting a baseball in fair territory out of the playing field on the fly. It differs from a home run hit during legal gameplay in that the batter is not competing against a pitcher and a defensive team attempting to make an out. In the Home Run Derby, all pitches are purposefully thrown slowly and at a closer range than the official 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) distance, usually by a coach behind a pitching screen. In addition, like batting practice, the batter remains in the batter's box after each swing, and does not run, nor circle the bases to score a run. In 2023, Julio Rodríguez set the single round home run record with 41 homers, topping Vladimir Guerrero’s 40 home runs in 2019.

Home Run Derby

Giancarlo Stanton poses with the trophy for winning the 2016 Home Run Derby.
Frequency	Annual
Location	Varies (site of MLB All-Star Game)
Inaugurated	1985
Most recent	July 10, 2023 (T-Mobile Park, Seattle, Washington)
Next event	2024
Current champion	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Current runner-up	Randy Arozarena
Participants	American League and National League baseball players
Organized by	Major League Baseball

The batter also does not have to conform to the usual league uniform standards, and as all pitches are tossed in the strike zone without any threat of beanballs, may choose to wear a regular baseball cap instead of a batting helmet. As the event traditionally takes place at sunset where the sun is of no factor to the batter, they can choose to wear their hat casually and backwards.

Since the inaugural derby in 1985, the event has seen several rule changes, evolving from a short outs-based competition, to multiple rounds, and eventually a bracket-style timed event.

History

 

2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby

The inspiration for the event was a 1960 TV series called Home Run Derby. The televised event included baseball legends Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays. The show ran for 26 episodes with the winner receiving $2,000.^[1]

The event has grown significantly from its roots in the 1980s, when it was not televised. Prior to 1991, the Home Run Derby was structured as a two-inning event with each player receiving five outs per inning, allowing for the possibility of ties. It is now one of the most-watched events broadcast on ESPN.^[2][3][4]

In 2000, a "match play"-style 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 competition.

The field of players selected currently consists of four American League players and four National League players. The first Derby in 1985 featured five from each league, and the 1986 and 1987 events featured three and two players from each league, respectively. In 1996, the field was again expanded to ten players, with five from each league (though in 1997, the AL had six contestants to the NL's four).

In 2000, the field reverted to the current four-player-per-league format. The only exception was 2005, when Major League Baseball changed the selection criteria so that eight players represented their home countries instead of their respective leagues. The change was believed to be in promotion of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, played in March 2006.^{[citation needed]} In 2006, the selection of four players from each league resumed. In 2011, the format was revised so that team captains selected the individual sides.^{[citation needed]}

For the first time in Derby history, Shohei Ohtani became both the first pitcher and the first Japanese player to participate in 2021.^[5]

Some notable performances in the Derby include Bobby Abreu in 2005, who won the Derby with a then-record 41 homers, including a then-record 24 in the first round. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. broke the first-round record in 2019 with 29 home runs. He broke that record in the following round, hitting 40 home runs in 2 tiebreakers. The previous overall record was set in 2016 by Giancarlo Stanton, who finished with a total of 61 home runs, defeating Todd Frazier in the final round. The current overall record is held by Guerrero Jr. at a mark of 91, set in 2019. Only three participants, Yoenis Céspedes, Stanton, and Pete Alonso, have won the Home Run Derby without being selected to the All-Star Game.^[6] Alonso broke Guerrero's first-round record in 2021 with 35 homers on his way to his second straight Derby Title (the first being in 2019 with a final round win over Guerrero).

With his win in 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his father Vladimir Guerrero (the 2007 winner) as the first father-son duo to win the Derby.

Overview

Format

Eight players duel in a home run challenge.

1985–1990

In the early years of the Home Run Derby, 4–10 players from both the AL and NL were selected to participate. Each player was given two "innings" to hit as many home runs as possible before reaching five outs. For the derby, an out is defined as any swing that is not a home run. The winner of the contest was the player with the most total home runs in the two innings.

1991–2005

Beginning in 1991, the format changed to a 3-round contest. From 1991 to 2006, 8–10 players were selected and hit as many home runs as possible before reaching 10 outs in each round. The tally reset for each round, with the top four advancing to the second round, and the top two advancing to the final.

In honor of the World Baseball Classic, the 2005 contest featured eight players from different countries. The format remained the same.

2006–2013

The format changed slightly in 2006. Instead of the tally resetting for each round, it was only reset before the final round. Therefore, the players with the four highest totals after Round 1 advanced to Round 2, and the players with the two highest sum of Round 1 and 2 advanced to the finals.

2014

The Home Run Derby format was changed significantly in 2014, as MLB sought to speed-up the contest and increase the drama. In the new bracket format, five players from each league faced the other players in their league in Round 1, with each players having seven "outs". The player in each league with the highest Round 1 total received a second-round bye, and the players with the second- and third-highest Round 1 totals from each league faced off. The Round 2 winner from each league faced the Round 1 winner, and the Round 3 winner crowned the league winner. The final featured the winner of each league. Each round stands alone, with the score reset for each round.^[7] Ties in any round are broken by a 3-swing swing-off. If the players remain tied, the players engage in a sudden-death swing-off until one player homers.^[8]

2015–2019, since 2021

The format was changed once again in 2015. The most significant change was the elimination of "outs", which was replaced by a time limit. Eight players are seeded based on their season home run totals and are given five minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. The winner of each head-to-head matchup advances, until a final winner is determined. If a tie occurs in any match-up, two sets of tiebreakers are employed: first, a 1-minute swing-off decides the winner; thereafter, multiple swingoffs of 3 swings until a winner is determined. Further, a player can get "bonus time" in the last minute of each round. During that time, the clock would stop for each home run, and would not restart until a swing does not result in a home run. Additional bonus time could be earned for distance. Players who hit at least two home runs measuring at least 420 feet (128.0 m) are given an extra minute of bonus time. An additional 30 seconds of bonus time is granted if at least one home run measures over 475 feet (144.8 m).^[9]

Weather concerns in 2015 led to a reduction in time from five minutes per round to four minutes. The clock was not stopped in the final minute, and one minute of bonus time was granted only for hitting two home runs of at least 425 feet (129.5 m).^[10]

The four-minute round length was made permanent in 2016, while the minute of bonus time was reduced to 30 seconds and required two home runs of at least 440 feet (134.1 m). The additional time was removed.^[11] Each batter is allowed one time-out during each round, and two in the finals.

For 2017 and 2018, the first tie-breaker was increased from a 1-minute swing off to 1+1⁄2 minutes. However, it was not needed either of these years. The swing off reverted to one minute in 2019, the first year in which it was used.

In 2021, the time limit was changed to three minutes plus a bonus of thirty seconds, with an additional thirty seconds of bonus time (for a total of one minute) added if a player hit a home run over 475 feet during regulation. In case of a tie, the contestants get one additional minute. If there still is a tie, each contestant gets three swings, and repeats on ties thereafter. In the final round, the finalists get two minutes.

Since 2022, the additional bonus time requirements reverted back to two home runs of at least 440 feet. Separate from the regular home run derby, if the 2022 All-Star Game itself had been tied after nine innings, a second home run derby would have been held to determine the winner. This derby would have been under somewhat different rules. It would not be timed, and each manager would pick three players to make three swings each to hit as many home runs as possible. If the tie persisted, extra players would have had triple-swing rounds until one team outslugged the other, with the winner getting a run and hit credited.^[12] A similar format will be used in 2023 if the All-Star Game is tied after nine innings.^[13]

Gold balls

From 2005 to 2013, a gold ball has been used once a player reaches nine outs (in 2014 when the T-Mobile Ball came into play, six; since 2015, during the final minute). 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. Since 2014 any homer hit off a magenta T-Mobile Ball resulted in a $10,000 donation to charity by T-Mobile and MLB, to Team Rubicon.

Television and radio coverage

On July 11, 1988, the day before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game from Cincinnati, TBS televised the annual All-Star Gala^[14] from the Cincinnati Zoo. Larry King hosted the broadcast with Craig Sager and Pete Van Wieren handling interviews. The broadcast's big draw would have been the Home Run Derby, which TBS intended on taping during the afternoon, and later airing it in prime time during the Gala coverage. Unfortunately, the derby and a skills competition were canceled due to rain.

The derby was first nationally televised by ESPN in 1993 on a same-day delayed basis,^[15] with the first live telecast in 1998. Although two hours are scheduled in programming listings for the telecast, it has rarely ever been contained to the timeslot and consistently runs three to four hours. Chris Berman has gained notoriety for his annual hosting duties on ESPN, including his catchphrase, "Back back back...Gone!". Berman starts this phrase when the ball is hit, and does not say "Gone!" until the ball lands.

The 2008 Derby was the year's most highly rated basic cable program.^[16]

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.^[17]

In Spanish, the event is televised on Spanish language network ESPN Deportes.^[18]

ESPN Radio also carries the event annually.^[19]

Most watched Home Run Derbys

Rank	Year	Winner	Ballpark	Viewers (millions)^[20]
1	2008	Justin Morneau	Yankee Stadium	9.1
2	2017	Aaron Judge	Marlins Park	8.6
3	2009	Prince Fielder	Busch Stadium	8.3
4	2004	Miguel Tejada	Minute Maid Park	7.7
5	2002	Jason Giambi	Miller Park	7.7
6	2021	Pete Alonso	Coors Field	7.1
7	2015	Todd Frazier	Great American Ball Park	7.1
8	2012	Prince Fielder	Kauffman Stadium	6.9
9	2007	Vladimir Guerrero Sr.	AT&T Park	6.8
10	2006	Ryan Howard	PNC Park	6.8

Winners

 

Prince Fielder accepting his second trophy in 2012

Key

^	Indicates multiple winners in the same year
†	Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame

Year	Winner	Team	League	Stadium (host team)
1985	Dave Parker	Cincinnati Reds	NL	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (MIN)
1986^	Wally Joyner	California Angels	AL	Astrodome (HOU)
	Darryl Strawberry	New York Mets	NL
1987	Andre Dawson^†	Chicago Cubs	NL	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (OAK)
1988	Cancelled
1989^	Eric Davis	Cincinnati Reds	NL	Anaheim Stadium (CAL)
	Rubén Sierra	Texas Rangers	AL
1990	Ryne Sandberg^†	Chicago Cubs	NL	Wrigley Field (CHC)
1991	Cal Ripken Jr.^†	Baltimore Orioles	AL	SkyDome (TOR)
1992	Mark McGwire	Oakland Athletics	AL	Jack Murphy Stadium (SD)
1993	Juan González	Texas Rangers	AL	Oriole Park at Camden Yards (BAL)
1994	Ken Griffey Jr.^† (1)	Seattle Mariners	AL	Three Rivers Stadium (PIT)
1995	Frank Thomas^†	Chicago White Sox	AL	The Ballpark in Arlington (TEX)
1996	Barry Bonds	San Francisco Giants	NL	Veterans Stadium (PHI)
1997	Tino Martinez	New York Yankees	AL	Jacobs Field (CLE)
1998	Ken Griffey Jr.^† (2)	Seattle Mariners	AL	Coors Field (COL)
1999	Ken Griffey Jr.^† (3)	Seattle Mariners	AL	Fenway Park (BOS)
2000	Sammy Sosa	Chicago Cubs	NL	Turner Field (ATL)
2001	Luis Gonzalez	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL	Safeco Field (SEA)
2002	Jason Giambi	New York Yankees	AL	Miller Park (MIL)
2003	Garret Anderson	Anaheim Angels	AL	U.S. Cellular Field (CHW)
2004	Miguel Tejada	Baltimore Orioles	AL	Minute Maid Park (HOU)
2005	Bobby Abreu	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	Comerica Park (DET)
2006	Ryan Howard	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	PNC Park (PIT)
2007	Vladimir Guerrero^†	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL	AT&T Park (SF)
2008	Justin Morneau	Minnesota Twins	AL	Yankee Stadium (NYY)
2009	Prince Fielder (1)	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	Busch Stadium (STL)
2010	David Ortiz^†	Boston Red Sox	AL	Angel Stadium (LAA)
2011	Robinson Canó	New York Yankees	AL	Chase Field (ARI)
2012	Prince Fielder (2)	Detroit Tigers	AL	Kauffman Stadium (KC)
2013	Yoenis Céspedes (1)	Oakland Athletics	AL	Citi Field (NYM)
2014	Yoenis Céspedes (2)	Oakland Athletics	AL	Target Field (MIN)
2015	Todd Frazier	Cincinnati Reds	NL	Great American Ball Park (CIN)
2016	Giancarlo Stanton	Miami Marlins	NL	Petco Park (SD)
2017	Aaron Judge	New York Yankees	AL	Marlins Park (MIA)
2018	Bryce Harper	Washington Nationals	NL	Nationals Park (WAS)
2019	Pete Alonso (1)	New York Mets	NL	Progressive Field (CLE)
2020	Cancelled^[21]
2021	Pete Alonso (2)	New York Mets	NL	Coors Field (COL)
2022	Juan Soto	Washington Nationals	NL	Dodger Stadium (LAD)
2023	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Toronto Blue Jays	AL	T-Mobile Park (SEA)

Records

Most home runs in a single round

Note: these numbers include swingoffs.

Rank	Player	Team	Round	Total
1	Julio Rodríguez	Seattle Mariners	2023 First Round	41
2	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Toronto Blue Jays	2019 Second Round	40
3	Joc Pederson	Los Angeles Dodgers	2019 Second Round	39
4	Pete Alonso	New York Mets	2021 First Round	35
	Randy Arozarena	Tampa Bay Rays	2023 Second Round	35
5	Julio Rodríguez	Seattle Mariners	2022 First Round	32

Most single-derby home runs

Note: these numbers include swingoffs.

Rank	Player	Team	Year	Total
1	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Toronto Blue Jays	2019	91
2	Randy Arozarena	Tampa Bay Rays	2023	82
3	Julio Rodríguez	Seattle Mariners	2022	81
4	Pete Alonso	New York Mets	2021	74
5	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Toronto Blue Jays	2023	72
6	Julio Rodríguez	Seattle Mariners	2023	61
7	Giancarlo Stanton	Miami Marlins	2016	61
8	Joc Pederson	Los Angeles Dodgers	2019	60
9	Trey Mancini	Baltimore Orioles	2021	59
10	Pete Alonso	New York Mets	2019	57

Most all-time home runs

Note: these numbers include swingoffs.

Rank	Player	Team(s)	Year(s)	Total
1	Pete Alonso	New York Mets	2019, 2021–2023	195
2	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Toronto Blue Jays	2019, 2023	163
3	Julio Rodríguez	Seattle Mariners	2022, 2023	142
4	Albert Pujols	St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels	2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2022	106
5	Joc Pederson	Los Angeles Dodgers	2015, 2019	99
	Juan Soto	Washington Nationals	2021, 2022	99
6	Todd Frazier	Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox	2014–2016	91
7	Giancarlo Stanton	Miami Marlins	2014, 2016, 2017	83
8	Randy Arozarena	Tampa Bay Rays	2023	82
9	Prince Fielder	Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers	2009, 2012	81
10	David Ortiz	Boston Red Sox	2004–2006, 2010, 2011	77

Wins by team

Rank	Team	Wins	Years
1	New York Yankees	4	1997, 2002, 2011, 2017
2	Los Angeles Angels	3	1986*, 2003, 2007
	Oakland Athletics	3	1992, 2013, 2014
	Chicago Cubs	3	1987, 1990, 2000
	Seattle Mariners	3	1994, 1998, 1999
	Cincinnati Reds	3	1985, 1989*, 2015
	New York Mets	3	1986*, 2019, 2021
8	Baltimore Orioles	2	1991, 2004
	Philadelphia Phillies	2	2005, 2006
	Texas Rangers	2	1989*, 1993
	Washington Nationals	2	2018, 2022
12	Chicago White Sox	1	1995
	San Francisco Giants	1	1996
	Arizona Diamondbacks	1	2001
	Minnesota Twins	1	2008
	Milwaukee Brewers	1	2009
	Boston Red Sox	1	2010
	Detroit Tigers	1	2012
	Miami Marlins	1	2016
	Toronto Blue Jays	1	2023

*In 1986, Wally Joyner of the California Angels and Darryl Strawberry of the New York Mets were declared co-champions.

*In 1989, Eric Davis of the Cincinnati Reds and Ruben Sierra of the Texas Rangers were declared co-champions.

Complete scoreboard

Key

†	Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame

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
Jose 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

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 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 Ramirez	Cleveland	3
National League
Ron Gant	Cincinnati	6
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

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	–	–	3
Richie Sexson	Brewers	1	–	–	1
Bret Boone	Mariners	0	–	–	0

	Semifinals					Finals
	1	Jason Giambi	11
	4	Albert Pujols	14
						4	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	Home Country	Team	Round 1	Semis	Finals	Totals
Bobby Abreu	Venezuela	Phillies	24	6	11	41^*
Iván Rodríguez^†	Puerto Rico	Tigers	7	8	5	20
David Ortiz^†	Dominican Republic	Red Sox	17	3	–	20
Carlos Lee	Panama	Brewers	11	4	–	15
Hee-seop Choi	South Korea	Dodgers	5	–	–	5
Andruw Jones	Netherlands	Braves	5	–	–	5
Mark Teixeira	USA	Rangers	2	–	–	2
Jason Bay	Canada	Pirates	0	–	–	0

* Total rounds record.

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	3^a	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	28^a	4^b	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
Adrián González	Padres	2	–	2	–	2
Brandon Inge	Tigers	0	–	0	–	0

Notes:
Italicized numbers denote swing-offs.

2010s

2010

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim—A.L. 50, N.L. 45
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Subtotal	Finals	Total
David Ortiz^†	Red Sox	8	13	21	11	32
Hanley Ramírez	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. 76, N.L. 19
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Subtotal	Finals	Total
Robinson Canó	Yankees	8	12	20	12	32
Adrián González	Red Sox	9	11	20	11	31
Prince Fielder	Brewers	5 (5)	4	9	–	9
David Ortiz^†	Red Sox	5 (4)	4	9	–	9
Matt Holliday	Cardinals	5 (2)	–	5	–	5
José Bautista	Blue Jays	4	–	4	–	4
Rickie Weeks Jr.	Brewers	3	–	3	–	3
Matt Kemp	Dodgers	2	–	2	–	2

Notes:
Italicized numbers denote swing-offs.

2012

Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City—A.L. 61, N.L. 21
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Subtotal	Finals	Total
Prince Fielder	Tigers	5	11	16	12	28
José Bautista	Blue Jays	11	2	13 (2)	7	20
Mark Trumbo	Angels	7	6	13 (1)	—	13
Carlos Beltrán	Cardinals	7	5	12	—	12
Carlos González	Rockies	4	—	4	—	4
Andrew McCutchen	Pirates	4	—	4	—	4
Matt Kemp	Dodgers	1	—	1	—	1
Robinson Canó	Yankees	0	—	0	—	0

Notes:
Italicized numbers denote swing-offs.

2013

Citi Field, New York—A.L. 53, N.L. 50
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Subtotal	Finals	Total
Yoenis Céspedes	Athletics	17	6	23	9^a	32
Bryce Harper	Nationals	8	8	16	8	24
Michael Cuddyer	Rockies	7	8	15	—	15
Chris Davis	Orioles	8	4	12	—	12
Pedro Álvarez	Pirates	6	—	6	—	6
Prince Fielder	Tigers	5	—	5	—	5
David Wright	Mets	5	—	5	—	5
Robinson Canó	Yankees	4	—	4	—	4

Note:
^a Recorded only five of ten outs before hitting winning home run.

2014

Target Field, Minneapolis — A.L. 54, N.L. 24
American League
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Finals	Total
Yoenis Céspedes	Athletics	3 (2)	9	7	9	28
José Bautista	Blue Jays	10	*	4	−	14
Adam Jones	Orioles	4	3	−	−	7
Josh Donaldson	Athletics	3 (1)	−	−	−	3
Brian Dozier	Twins	2	−	−	−	2
National League
Player	Team	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Finals	Total
Todd Frazier	Reds	2 (1)	6	1	1	10
Giancarlo Stanton	Marlins	6	*	0	−	6
Troy Tulowitzki	Rockies	4	2	−	−	6
Justin Morneau	Rockies	2 (0)	−	−	−	2
Yasiel Puig	Dodgers	0	−	−	−	0

* designates bye round.
(designates swing off home runs).

	Round 2					Round 3 (Semifinals)					Finals
						1	José Bautista	4
	American League
						3	Yoenis Céspedes	7
	2	Adam Jones	3
	3	Yoenis Céspedes	9
											3	Yoenis Céspedes	9
											3	Todd Frazier	1
						1	Giancarlo Stanton	0
	National League
						3	Todd Frazier	1
	2	Troy Tulowitzki	2
	3	Todd Frazier	6

2015

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Albert Pujols (LAA)	10
	8	Kris Bryant (CHC)	9
						1	Albert Pujols	11
						4	Joc Pederson	12
	4	Joc Pederson (LAD)	13
	5	Manny Machado (BAL)	12
											4	Joc Pederson	14
											2	Todd Frazier	15
	3	Josh Donaldson (TOR)	9
	6	Anthony Rizzo (CHC)	8
						3	Josh Donaldson	9
						2	Todd Frazier	10
	2	Todd Frazier (CIN)	14
	7	Prince Fielder (TEX)	13

2016

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Mark Trumbo (BAL)	16
	8	Corey Seager (LAD)	15
						1	Mark Trumbo	14
						5	Giancarlo Stanton	17
	4	Robinson Canó (SEA)	7
	5	Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)	24
											5	Giancarlo Stanton	20
											2	Todd Frazier	13
	3	Adam Duvall (CIN)	11
	6	Wil Myers (SD)	10
						3	Adam Duvall	15
						2	Todd Frazier	16
	2	Todd Frazier (CWS)	13
	7	Carlos González (COL)	12

2017

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)	16
	8	Gary Sánchez (NYY)	17
						8	Gary Sánchez	10
						5	Miguel Sanó	11
	4	Mike Moustakas (KC)	10
	5	Miguel Sanó (MIN)	11
											5	Miguel Sanó	10
											2	Aaron Judge	11
	3	Cody Bellinger (LAD)	15
	6	Charlie Blackmon (COL)	14
						3	Cody Bellinger	12
						2	Aaron Judge	13
	2	Aaron Judge (NYY)	23
	7	Justin Bour (MIA)	22

2018

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Jesús Aguilar (MIL)	12
	8	Rhys Hoskins (PHI)	17
						8	Rhys Hoskins	20
						5	Kyle Schwarber	21
	4	Alex Bregman (HOU)	15
	5	Kyle Schwarber (CHC)	16
											5	Kyle Schwarber	18
											2	Bryce Harper	19
	3	Max Muncy (LAD)	17
	6	Javier Báez (CHC)	16
						3	Max Muncy	12
						2	Bryce Harper	13
	2	Bryce Harper (WAS)	13
	7	Freddie Freeman (ATL)	12

2019

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Matt Chapman (OAK)	13
	8	Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)	29
						8	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	40*
						5	Joc Pederson	39
	4	Alex Bregman (HOU)	16
	5	Joc Pederson (LAD)	21
											8	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	22
											2	Pete Alonso	23
	3	Josh Bell (PIT)	18
	6	Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)	25
						6	Ronald Acuña Jr.	19
						2	Pete Alonso	20
	2	Pete Alonso (NYM)	14
	7	Carlos Santana (CLE)	13

* Round went into three swing-offs after Guerrero Jr. and Pederson were tied with 29 home runs each.

2020s

2020

Home Run Derby canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Shohei Ohtani (LAA)	28
	8	Juan Soto (WAS)	31*
						8	Juan Soto	15
						5	Pete Alonso	16
	4	Salvador Pérez (KC)	28
	5	Pete Alonso (NYM)	35
											5	Pete Alonso	23
											6	Trey Mancini	22
	3	Matt Olson (OAK)	23
	6	Trey Mancini (BAL)	24
						6	Trey Mancini	13
						7	Trevor Story	12
	2	Joey Gallo (TEX)	19
	7	Trevor Story (COL)	20

*Went to a three-pitch swing-off after Soto and Ohtani tied at 22 home runs in first attempt and 28 home runs in tiebreaker. Soto went first and homered on all three pitches; Going second, Ohtani failed to hit a home run on his first pitch and was thus eliminated.

2022

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Kyle Schwarber (PHI)	19
	8	Albert Pujols (STL)	20*
						8	Albert Pujols	15
						4	Juan Soto	16
	4	Juan Soto (WAS)	18
	5	José Ramírez (CLE)	17
											4	Juan Soto	19
											6	Julio Rodríguez	18
	3	Corey Seager (TEX)	24
	6	Julio Rodríguez (SEA)	32
						6	Julio Rodríguez	31
						2	Pete Alonso	23
	2	Pete Alonso (NYM)	20
	7	Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)	19

• Round went into a swing-off after Pujols and Schwarber were tied 13–13 after regulation.

2023

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Finals
	1	Luis Robert Jr. (CWS)	28
	8	Adley Rutschman (BAL)	27
						1	Luis Robert Jr.	22
						5	Randy Arozarena	35
	4	Adolis García (TEX)	17
	5	Randy Arozarena (TB)	24
											5	Randy Arozarena	23
											6	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	25
	3	Mookie Betts (LAD)	11
	6	Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)	26
						6	Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	21
						7	Julio Rodríguez	20
	2	Pete Alonso (NYM)	21
	7	Julio Rodríguez (SEA)	41*

“*” most HR ever scored in a single round

See also

• List of Major League Baseball All-Star Games
• MLB Home Run Derby X, a global tournament started in 2022

References

1. "History Of The Home Run Derby". Seat Geek. July 6, 2017.
2. Baker, Jim (July 7, 1999). "Baseball; ESPN rift with MLB a real derby; Dispute heats up over credentials". Boston Herald. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
3. "Home Run Derby on ESPN is No. 1 on cable TV". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
4. Hiestand, Michael (July 7, 2009). "ESPN adds new graphics for Home Run Derby coverage". USA Today. Retrieved July 16, 2013. Monday's Home Run Derby— often cable TV's highest-rated summer event
5. "Angels' Shohei Ohtani first pitcher to compete in Home Run Derby". The Athletic. June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
6. Castrovince, Anthony (July 16, 2013). "Cespedes beats Harper to claim Derby title". MLB.com.
7. Derby to feature bracketed play as part of new format
8. Keeney, Tim. "HR Derby Gets New Format, Rules". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
9. . Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
10. Corcoran, Cliff. "Home Run Derby Five-Minute Guide: Everything you need to know". www.si.com. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
11. Silverman, Steve. "Home Run Derby 2016: Participants, Breakdown of New Rules for All-Star Showcase". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
12. Castrovince, Anthony (July 19, 2022). "If All-Star Game is tied after 9, we'll get another HR Derby". MLB.com. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
13. Curtis, Charles (July 11, 2023). "What are the All-Star Game tiebreaker rules and format? (SPOILER: HOME RUN DERBY!)". USA Today. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
14. "The last time Cincinnati hosted the MLB All-Star Game, things got weird". The Sporting News.
15. "Home Run Derby 2010: Most Memorable Derby Moments". Bleacher Report. July 12, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
16. Multichannel.com
17. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
18. MLB.com (July 7, 2015). "2015 Gillette Home Run Derby Presented By Head & Shoulders Exclusively on ESPN". ESPNMediazone.com. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
19. MLB.com (July 11, 2011). "Home Run Derby press conference". MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
20. "Relatively speaking, viewers still love the Home Run Derby (2002–2016 viewership)". sportstvratings.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
21. Castrovince, Anthony (July 3, 2020). "All-Star Game Canceled; Dodgers to Host in 2022". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2020.

External links

• MLB.com: Home Run Derby History
• Baseball-Almanac.com: Home Run Derby Results and Analysis
• Baseball Research Journal, SABR, "Home Run Derby Curse, Fact or Fiction?" by Joseph McCollum and Marcus Jaiclin