From the warehouse to the Green Monster, the best MLB Home Run Derby moments
This time of year, Major League Baseball is usually in its All-Star Break, also known as the only three days of the year in which the MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL have no games.
But this year, that's become a daily occurrence. All four leagues have yet to resume play, and the MLB All-Star Game was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, we're forced to reminisce on the perennial highlight of All-Star festivities: the Home Run Derby. Despite having no meaning in the wider context of the season, the derby has no shortage of drama, intrigue and classic moments.
Paste BN Sports breaks down some of the best:
Junior hits the warehouse
In 1993's Home Run Derby, held in the year-old Camden Yards, Ken Griffey Jr. hit one so far that it bounced off the warehouse. In 28 years of the park's existence, the blast is still thought to be the only one to directly hit the warehouse.
The plaque commemorating the occasion still sits on Eutaw Street.
Griffey didn't end up winning that year's Derby, but he became a three-time champion, winning in 1994, 1998 and 1999.
Light tower power
There was scarcely a better combination for a Home Run Derby than Mark McGwire and Fenway Park. One of the premier right-handed power hitters of his time, McGwire spent the 1999 Derby mashing dinger after dinger over the Green Monster. The Cardinals slugger topped it all off by hitting a home run that bounced off the light tower in left.
The consolation prize
Two of the most notable Home Run Derby performances of the past 15 years were from players who didn't win, but still set records in the process.
In 2008, Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs in the first round at Yankee Stadium, a record that would stand for 11 years. (He lost to Justin Morneau in the final.)
As it turned out, Josh Hamilton walked so that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could run.
In 2015, MLB changed the format of the Home Run Derby to make it timed, rather than reliant on a certain number of "outs." This opened the door for sluggers to put up bigger numbers, but it took a few years for the results to show.
A rookie with the Blue Jays in 2019, Guerrero set a record with 29 home runs in the first round, then shattered it in the second, when both he and the Dodgers' Joc Pederson matched that number and went to a three-round swing-off. By the time he secured his spot in the final, Guerrero had 40 home runs in the round.
But all the swinging tired Guerrero out, and he lost in the final round to fellow rookie Pete Alonso 23-22.
Bryce Harper vs. Kyle Schwarber
Two years ago, the Derby was held at Nationals Park for the first time. With his father in tow, hometown hero Bryce Harper won an epic battle for the title. Facing the Cubs' Kyle Schwarber, Harper fell behind early, but came back to tie Schwarber on the last pitch before regulation time expired. Then, in extra time, he walked it off in front of his home crowd.
Sports video of the day
Seven years ago today, Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect eighth inning in his final All-Star Game. The Hall of Fame closer, who announced in March that the 2013 season would be his last, was named All-Star MVP in a 3-0 American League shutout.
What we're reading
- TBT: A team of Marquette alumni won $1 million in The Basketball Tournament. Perhaps more important, they showed sports in a bubble can be done.
- HOT DOGS: A new study has indicated that Joey Chestnut is pretty close to the maximum number of hot dogs possible to consume in 10 minutes.
- ELENA DELLE DONNE: The WNBA star speaks about being denied a medical opt-out.
- MICHAEL JORDAN: The Chicago White Sox owner thinks the 'Last Dance' star could have reached the majors.
- FANS OR NO FANS? The Philadelphia Eagles may have fans after all. Michigan football is preparing for reduced capacity. And the Green Bay Packers will not allow fans at training camp or the preseason game at Lambeau.
- FRANCHISE TAGS: Where players stand as the deadline passes.
Sports on TV
MLS (live): The MLS is Back Tournament continues with three games. Atlanta United FC and FC Cincinnati face off at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN. Then, the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC play at 8 p.m. on FS1, followed by the Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls at 10:30 p.m., also on FS1.
Golf (live): The Golf Channel will have live coverage of the Memorial Tournament, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
English Premier League (live): NBCSN has a doubleheader with Leicester City vs. Sheffield United at noon ET and Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United at 3 p.m.
College football (classic): The 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship between Alabama and Georgia, where true freshman Tua Tagovailoa led Alabama to the title, is showing at noon ET on SEC Network.