Home Run Derby

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Note: This page links to the Home Run Derby on All-Star Monday. For the television program that aired from 1959 to 1961 click here.

Introduction[edit]

The Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby has taken on many forms since its beginning in 1985. It is an afternoon to evening event on the Monday before the All-Star Game. It has been televised nationally since 1994 on ESPN, with Chris Berman providing the commentary every year until 2017, when he was replaced by Karl Ravech.

Format[edit]

The format of the competition has changed regularly, as MLB tried to maximize excitement and encourage its top sluggers to take part. As a result, it is not really possible to compare results across eras.

When the Derby first began in 1985 each player received two turns at bat with five outs per turn at bat. Any swing that was not a home run was an out. This format allowed for the possibility of ties. The derby started out as a contest between the two leagues, with each league having an equal number of players. At the first derby there were ten players (five per league), by the second the number was down to six (three per league) and the third only featured four sluggers.

The 1988 derby at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OH was cancelled due to rain. From 1989 to 1994, there were eight players invited, four from each league.

The format changed in 1991, to three rounds rather than two innings. Each player received ten outs per round. The top four players with the most home runs in the first round moved on to the second round. The top two hitters in the second round batted for the championship. From 1996 to 1999 there were ten competitors at the derby.

The format of the derby was changed in 2000 when, after the first round, the four advancing players were put into two seeded brackets, with the winners of each match-up advancing to the finals. This format was used from 2000 to 2003.

In 2005, as part of the announcement of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, the derby featured eight players representing their native countries rather than their respective leagues. The nations represented were Canada, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United States and Venezuela. Andruw Jones represented the Netherlands having been born on Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles.

The rules changed once again in 2006, when total home runs replaced round by round totals. The top four hitters in the first round advanced to the semifinals, and their home run total from the first round carried into the semifinals. The two players with the most home runs in the semifinals (which included the player's first round clouts) advanced to the finals. At this point the home run totals were cleared.

In 2011, a captain was chosen in each league, responsible for picking his three teammates, in order to give an extra incentive for the chosen sluggers to agree to take part. David Ortiz and Prince Fielder were the first two captains.

In 2015, the format was changed again, with hitters being placed into a bracket and going head-to-head with an opponent from the rival league. A clock also replaced the ten outs. Batters now had five minutes to hit as many homers as possible, with no account being taken of balls that did not go for homers. Home runs stopped the clock, which restarted after an out or a swing and miss, and sluggers were given bonus time for particularly long homers. In subsequent years, the format was tweaked again, with the concept of leagues being dropped completely and the 8 participants being seeded from 1 to 8. The time was limited to three minutes, with only one stoppage to be taken at the hitter's request, with a bonus round of 30 seconds available to all batters, and another possible 30-second time bonus for hitting at least one ball further than a pre-set distance. In the final round, the time limit was reduced to two minutes.

In 2019, MLB introduced a $1 million bonus for the winning player, as an incentive to have more top-rank stars take part in the event. In 2024, head-to-head competition was dropped in the first round, with all eight competitors being placed in a single pool and the top four finishers advancing to the second round, where the head-to-head format prevailed again.

Golden Ball[edit]

At both the 2005 and 2006 derbies, Century 21 - a real estate company - sponsored a charity tie-in with the event. The Golden Ball was used once a player reached nine outs, thus having only one out remaining. For each home run hit with a golden ball, Century 21 and Major League Baseball donated $21,000 to charity. In both derbies, fourteen homers were hit raising $294,000 in each year.

The 2007 and 2008 editions of the golden ball were sponsored by State Farm Insurance. They pledged $17,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs across the country for every home run hit with 9 outs. The 17,000 supposedly represents the number of State Farm Agents across the country.

Derby Records[edit]

Derby Winners[edit]

Year Site Winner Team Home Runs
1985 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Dave Parker Cincinnati Reds 6
1986 Astrodome Wally Joyner California Angels 4
Darryl Strawberry New York Mets 4
1987 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Andre Dawson Chicago Cubs 4
1988 Riverfront Stadium Cancelled due to Rain
1989 Anaheim Stadium Eric Davis Cincinnati Reds 3
Ruben Sierra Texas Rangers 3
1990 Wrigley Field Ryne Sandberg Chicago Cubs 3
1991 SkyDome Cal Ripken Baltimore Orioles 12
1992 Jack Murphy Stadium Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics 12
1993 Oriole Park at Camden Yards Juan Gonzalez Texas Rangers 7
1994 Three Rivers Stadium Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 7
1995 The Ballpark in Arlington Frank Thomas Chicago White Sox 15
1996 Veterans Stadium Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants 17
1997 Jacobs Field Tino Martinez New York Yankees 16
1998 Coors Field Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 19
1999 Fenway Park Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 16
2000 Turner Field Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 26
2001 Safeco Field Luis Gonzalez Arizona Diamondbacks 16
2002 Miller Park Jason Giambi New York Yankees 24
2003 U.S. Cellular Field Garret Anderson Anaheim Angels 22
2004 Minute Maid Park Miguel Tejada Baltimore Orioles 27
2005 Comerica Park Bobby Abreu Philadelphia Phillies 41
2006 PNC Park Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies 23
2007 AT&T Park Vladimir Guerrero Los Angeles Angels 17
2008 Yankee Stadium Justin Morneau Minnesota Twins 22
2009 Busch Stadium Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers 23
2010 Angel Stadium of Anaheim David Ortiz Boston Red Sox 32
2011 Chase Field Robinson Cano New York Yankees 32
2012 Kauffman Stadium Prince Fielder Detroit Tigers 28
2013 Citi Field Yoenis Cespedes Oakland Athletics 32
2014 Target Field Yoenis Cespedes Oakland Athletics 28
2015 Great American Ball Park Todd Frazier Cincinnati Reds 38
2016 Petco Park Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins 61
2017 Marlins Park Aaron Judge New York Yankees 47
2018 Nationals Park Bryce Harper Washington Nationals 45
2019 Progressive Field Pete Alonso New York Mets 57
2020 All-Star Festivities Cancelled
2021 Coors Field Pete Alonso New York Mets 74
2022 Dodger Stadium Juan Soto Washington Nationals 53
2023 T-Mobile Park Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Toronto Blue Jays 72
2024 Globe Life Field Teoscar Hernandez Los Angeles Dodgers 49

Yearly Results[edit]

1985[edit]

held on Monday, July 15, 1985 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Jim Rice Boston Red Sox 4 Dave Parker Cincinnati Reds 6
Eddie Murray Baltimore Orioles 4 Dale Murphy Atlanta Braves 4
Carlton Fisk Chicago White Sox 4 Steve Garvey San Diego Padres 2
Tom Brunansky Minnesota Twins 4 Ryne Sandberg Chicago Cubs 2
Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles 1 Jack Clark St. Louis Cardinals 2
American League 17 National League 16

1986[edit]

held on Monday, July 14, 1986 at Astrodome
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Wally Joyner California Angels 4 Darryl Strawberry New York Mets 4
Jesse Barfield Toronto Blue Jays 2 Dave Parker Cincinnati Reds 3
Jose Canseco Oakland Athletics 1 Hubie Brooks Montréal Expos 1
American League 7 National League 8

1987[edit]

held on Monday, July 13, 1987 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
George Bell Toronto Blue Jays 1 Andre Dawson Chicago Cubs 4
Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics 1 Ozzie Virgil Atlanta Braves 2
American League 2 National League 6

1988[edit]

The 1988 Home Run Derby was to be held at Riverfront Stadium, but was cancelled due to rain

1989[edit]

held on Monday, July 10, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Ruben Sierra Texas Rangers 3 Eric Davis Cincinnati Reds 3
Mickey Tettleton Baltimore Orioles 1 Glenn Davis Houston Astros 2
Bo Jackson Kansas City Royals 1 Howard Johnson New York Mets 2
Gary Gaetti Minnesota Twins 0 Kevin Mitchell San Francisco Giants 2
American League 5 National League 9

1990[edit]

held on Monday, July 9, 1990 at Wrigley Field
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics 1 Ryne Sandberg Chicago Cubs 3
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 0 Matt Williams San Francisco Giants 1
Jose Canseco Oakland Athletics 0 Bobby Bonilla Pittsburgh Pirates 0
Cecil Fielder Detroit Tigers 0 Darryl Strawberry New York Mets 0
American League 1 National League 4

1991[edit]

held on Monday, July 8, 1991 at SkyDome
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Cal Ripken, Jr. Baltimore Orioles 12 Paul O'Neill Cincinnati Reds 5
Cecil Fielder Detroit Tigers 4 George Bell Chicago Cubs 2
Joe Carter Toronto Blue Jays 2 Chris Sabo Cincinnati Reds 0
Danny Tartabull Kansas City Royals 2 Howard Johnson New York Mets 0
American League 20 National League 7

1992[edit]

held on Monday, July 13, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics 12 Larry Walker Montréal Expos 4
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 7 Gary Sheffield San Diego Padres 4
Joe Carter Toronto Blue Jays 4 Fred McGriff San Diego Padres 3
Cal Ripken, Jr. Baltimore Orioles 4 Barry Bonds Pittsburgh Pirates 2
American League 27 National League 13

1993[edit]

held on Monday, July 12, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Juan Gonzalez Texas Rangers 7 see notes Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants 5
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 7 Bobby Bonilla New York Mets 5
Cecil Fielder Detroit Tigers 4 David Justice Atlanta Braves 2
Albert Belle Cleveland Indians 3 Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodgers 0
American League 21 National League 12
  • First Extra Round: Griffey Jr., 4; Gonzalez, 4
  • Second Extra Round: Gonzalez, 1; Griffey Jr., 0 - Juan Gonzalez wins the home-run derby

1994[edit]

held on Monday, July 11, 1994 at Three Rivers Stadium
American League National League
Player Team Home Runs Player Team Home Runs
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 7 Fred McGriff Atlanta Braves 5
Ruben Sierra Oakland Athletics 4 Jeff Bagwell Houston Astros 3
Frank Thomas Chicago White Sox 4 Dante Bichette Colorado Rockies 3
Albert Belle Cleveland Indians 2 Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodgers 0
American League 21 National League 11

1995[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 21 homers to 9.

held on Monday, July 10, 1995 at The Ballpark in Arlington
Player Team First Round Second Round Finals Total
Frank Thomas Chicago White Sox 8 4 3 15
Albert Belle Cleveland Indians 7 7 2 16
Mo Vaughn Boston Red Sox 3 3 - 6
Ron Gant Cincinnati Reds 3 3 - 6
Manny Ramirez Cleveland Indians 3 - - 3
Raul Mondesi Los Angeles Dodgers 2 - - 2
Reggie Sanders Cincinnati Reds 2 - - 2
Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 2 - - 2

1996[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 17 homers to 10.

held on Monday, July 8, 1996 at Veterans Stadium
Player Team First Round Second Round Finals Total
Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants 4 10 3 17
Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics 4 9 2 15
Brady Anderson Baltimore Orioles 5 6 - 11
Jay Buhner Seattle Mariners 6 2 - 8
Henry Rodriguez Montréal Expos 3 - - 3
Jeff Bagwell Houston Astros 2 - - 2
Joe Carter Toronto Blue Jays 2 - - 2
Ellis Burks Colorado Rockies 1 - - 1
Gary Sheffield Florida Marlins 0 - - 0
Greg Vaughn Milwaukee Brewers 0 - - 0

1997[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 17 homers to 14. The American League contingent featured six players to the National League's four.

held on Monday, July 7, 1997 at Jacobs Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Tino Martinez New York Yankees 5 8 3 16
Larry Walker Colorado Rockies 9 9 1 19
Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics 5 2 - 7
Jeff Bagwell Houston Astros 4 1 - 5
Brady Anderson Baltimore Orioles 4 - - 4
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 3 - - 3
Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves 3 - - 3
Ray Lankford St. Louis Cardinals 2 - - 2
Nomar Garciaparra Boston Red Sox 0 - - 0
Jim Thome Cleveland Indians 0 - - 0

1998[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 29 homers to 24.

held on Monday, July 6, 1998 at Coors Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 8 8 3 19
Jim Thome Cleveland Indians 7 8 2 17
Vinny Castilla Colorado Rockies 7 5 - 12
Rafael Palmeiro Baltimore Orioles 7 3 - 10
Moises Alou Houston Astros 7 - - 7
Javy Lopez Atlanta Braves 5 - - 5
Alex Rodriguez Seattle Mariners 5 - - 5
Mark McGwire St. Louis Cardinals 4 - - 4
Damion Easley Detroit Tigers 2 - - 2
Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves 1 - - 1

1999[edit]

The National League won the contest over the American League, 27 homers to 10.

held on Monday, July 12, 1999 at Fenway Park
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners 3 10 3 16
Jeromy Burnitz Milwaukee Brewers 6 6 2 14
Mark McGwire St. Louis Cardinals 13 3 - 16
Jeff Bagwell Houston Astros 5 1 - 6
Larry Walker Colorado Rockies 2 - - 2
Nomar Garciaparra Boston Red Sox 2 - - 2
B.J. Surhoff Baltimore Orioles 2 - - 2
Shawn Green Toronto Blue Jays 2 - - 2
Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 1 - - 1
John Jaha Oakland Athletics 1 - - 1

2000[edit]

The National League won the contest over the American League, 16 homers to 14.

held on Monday, July 10, 2000 at Turner Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 6 11 9 26
Ken Griffey Jr. Cincinnati Reds 6 3 2 11
Carl Everett Boston Red Sox 6 6 - 12
Carlos Delgado Toronto Blue Jays 5 1 - 6
Edgar Martinez Seattle Mariners 2 - - 2
Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves 2 - - 2
Vladimir Guerrero Montréal Expos 2 - - 2
Ivan Rodriguez Texas Rangers 1 - - 1

2001[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 19 homers to 17.

held on Monday, July 9, 2001 at Safeco Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Luis Gonzalez Arizona Diamondbacks 5 5 6 16
Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 3 8 2 13
Jason Giambi Oakland Athletics 14 6 - 20
Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants 7 3 - 10
Alex Rodriguez Texas Rangers 2 - - 2
Bret Boone Seattle Mariners 3 - - 3
Todd Helton Colorado Rockies 2 - - 2
Troy Glaus Anaheim Angels 0 - - 0

2002[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 22 homers to 21.

held on Monday, July 8, 2002 at Miller Park
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Jason Giambi New York Yankees 11 6 7 24
Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 12 5 1 18
Paul Konerko Chicago White Sox 6 6 - 12
Richie Sexson Milwaukee Brewers 6 4 - 10
Torii Hunter Minnesota Twins 3 - - 3
Alex Rodriguez Texas Rangers 2 - - 2
Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants 2 - - 2
Lance Berkman Houston Astros 1 - - 1

Giambi advanced to the Finals after swingoff versus Konerko.

2003[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 21 homers to 13.

held on Monday, July 14, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Garret Anderson Anaheim Angels 7 6 9 22
Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals 4 14 8 26
Jason Giambi New York Yankees 12 11 - 23
Jim Edmonds St. Louis Cardinals 4 4 - 8
Gary Sheffield Atlanta Braves 4 - - 4
Carlos Delgado Toronto Blue Jays 2 - - 2
Richie Sexson Milwaukee Brewers 1 - - 1
Bret Boone Seattle Mariners 0 - - 0

Jim Edmonds and Albert Pujols advanced the the semifinals over Gary Sheffield due to higher season-to-date home run totals; Edmonds had 28, Pujols had 27 , while Sheffield had 22.

Semifinals matchups were determined by first round home run totals, with the season-to-date home run total being the tie-breaker.

  Semifinals Finals
                 
1  Jason Giambi 11  
4  Albert Pujols 12  
       Albert Pujols 8
     Garret Anderson 9
2  Garret Anderson 6
3  Jim Edmonds 4  

2004[edit]

The National League won the contest over the American League, 24 homers to 22.

held on Monday, July 12, 2004 at Minute Maid Park
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Miguel Tejada Baltimore Orioles 7 15 5 27
Lance Berkman Houston Astros 7 10 4 21
Rafael Palmeiro Baltimore Orioles 9 5 - 14
Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants 8 3 - 11
Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs 5 - - 5
Jim Thome Philadelphia Phillies 4 - - 4
Hank Blalock Texas Rangers 3 - - 3
David Ortiz Boston Red Sox 3 - - 3

Tejada hit the winning home run with 5 outs remaining in final round.

2005[edit]

The derby featured players representing seven nations, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States that would play in the following year's World Baseball Classic, therefore the league representation was unbalanced with five National Leaguers versus three from the American League.

held on Monday, July 11, 2005 at Comerica Park
Player Nation Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Bobby Abreu Flag of Venezuela Venezuela Philadelphia Phillies 24 6 11 41
Ivan Rodriguez Flag of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Detroit Tigers 7 8 5 20
Carlos Lee Flag of Panama Panama Milwaukee Brewers 11 4 - 15
David Ortiz Flag of Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Boston Red Sox 17 3 - 20
Hee-Seop Choi Flag of South Korea South Korea Los Angeles Dodgers 5 - - 5
Andruw Jones Flag of Netherlands Netherlands Atlanta Braves 5 - - 5
Mark Teixeira Flag of United States United States Texas Rangers 2 - - 2
Jason Bay Flag of Canada Canada Pittsburgh Pirates 0 - - 0

2006[edit]

The National League won the contest over the American League, 40 homers to 17.

held on Monday, July 10, 2006 at PNC Park
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies 8 10 5 23
David Wright New York Mets 16 2 4 22
Miguel Cabrera Florida Marlins 9 6 - 15
David Ortiz Boston Red Sox 10 3 - 13
Jermaine Dye Chicago White Sox 7 - - 7
Miguel Tejada Baltimore Orioles 3 - - 3
Lance Berkman Houston Astros 3 - - 3
Troy Glaus Toronto Blue Jays 1 - - 1

Howard hit the winning home run with 5 outs remaining in final round.


2007[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 42 homers to 32.

held on Monday, July 9, 2007 at AT&T Park
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Vladimir Guerrero Los Angeles Angels 5 9 3 17
Alex Rios Toronto Blue Jays 5 12 2 19
Matt Holliday Colorado Rockies 5 8 - 13
Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals 4 9 - 13
Justin Morneau Minnesota Twins 4 - - 4
Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers 3 - - 3
Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies 3 - - 3
Magglio Ordóñez Detroit Tigers 2 - - 2

2008[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 66 homers to 39.

held on Monday, July 14, 2008 at Yankee Stadium
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Justin Morneau Minnesota Twins 8 9 5 22
Josh Hamilton Texas Rangers 28 4 3 35
Lance Berkman Houston Astros 8 6 - 14
Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers 7 7 - 14
Grady Sizemore Cleveland Indians 6 - - 6
Dan Uggla Florida Marlins 6 - - 6
Chase Utley Philadelphia Phillies 5 - - 5
Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays 3 - - 3


2009[edit]

The National League won the contest over the American League, 51 homers to 31.

held on Monday, July 13, 2009 at Busch Stadium
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers 11 6 6 23
Nelson Cruz Texas Rangers 11 5 5 21
Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies 7 8 - 15
Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals 5 (2) 6 - 11
Carlos Pena Tampa Bay Rays 5 (1) - - 5
Joe Mauer Minnesota Twins 5 (0) - - 5
Adrian Gonzalez San Diego Padres 2 - - 2
Brandon Inge Detroit Tigers 0 - - 0

Pujols, Pena, and Mauer had a swing-off for the final second-round position. Swing-off home runs are not counted toward the player's or league's total.

2010[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 50 homers to 44.

held on Monday, July 12, 2010 at Angel Stadium
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
David Ortiz Boston Red Sox 8 13 11 32
Hanley Ramirez Florida Marlins 9 12 5 26
Corey Hart Milwaukee Brewers 13 0 - 13
Miguel Cabrera Detroit Tigers 7 5 - 12
Matt Holliday St. Louis Cardinals 5 - - 5
Nick Swisher New York Yankees 4 - - 4
Vernon Wells Toronto Blue Jays 2 - - 2
Chris Young Arizona Diamondbacks 1 - - 1

2011[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League in a landslide, 76 homers to 19.

held on Monday, July 11, 2011 at Chase Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Robinson Cano New York Yankees 8 12 12 32
Adrian Gonzalez Boston Red Sox 9 11 11 31
Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers 5 (5)* 4 - 9
David Ortiz Boston Red Sox 5 (4)* 4 - 9
Matt Holliday St. Louis Cardinals 5 (2) - - 5
Jose Bautista Toronto Blue Jays 4 - - 4
Rickie Weeks Milwaukee Brewers 3 - - 3
Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers 2 - - 2
  • Fielder and Ortiz won a swing-off against Holliday to advance to the second round. Swing-off totals (in parentheses) are not counted towards individual or league totals.

2012[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League in a landslide, 61 homers to 21.

held on Monday, July 9, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Prince Fielder Detroit Tigers 5 11 12 28
Jose Bautista Toronto Blue Jays 11 2 (2) 7 20
Mark Trumbo Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 7 6 (1) - 13
Carlos Beltran St. Louis Cardinals 7 5 - 12
Carlos Gonzalez Colorado Rockies 4 - - 4
Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates 4 - - 4
Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers 1 - - 1
Robinson Cano New York Yankees 0 - - 0
  • Bautista beat Trumbo in a swingoff as both were tied with 13 homers after 2 rounds.

2013[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 54 homers to 50.

held on Monday, July 15, 2013 at Citi Field
Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals Total
Yoenis Cespedes Oakland Athletics 17 6 9 32
Bryce Harper Washington Nationals 8 8 8 24
Michael Cuddyer Colorado Rockies 7 8 - 15
Chris Davis Baltimore Orioles 8 4 - 12
Pedro Alvarez Pittsburgh Pirates 6 - - 6
Prince Fielder Detroit Tigers 5 - - 5
David Wright New York Mets 5 - - 5
Robinson Cano New York Yankees 5 - - 5

2014[edit]

The American League won the contest over the National League, 52 homers to 24. A bracket format was used, with the top home run hitter for each league in the first round getting a bye directly into the semifinal round, to face the second round winner.

held on Monday, July 14, 2014 at Target Field
Player Team First Round Second Round Semifinals Finals Total
Yoenis Cespedes Oakland Athletics 3 (2) 9 7 9 28
Todd Frazier Cincinnati Reds 2 (1) 6 1 1 10
Jose Bautista Toronto Blue Jays 10 bye 4 - 14
Adam Jones Baltimore Orioles 4 3 - - 7
Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins 6 bye 0 - 6
Troy Tulowitzki Colorado Rockies 4 2 - - 6
Josh Donaldson Oakland Athletics 3 (1) - - - 3
Justin Morneau Colorado Rockies 2 (0) - - - 2
Brian Dozier Minnesota Twins 2 - - - 2
Yasiel Puig Los Angels Dodgers 0 - - - 0
  • Cespedes beat Donaldson in a swing-off as both were tied with 3 homers after the first round; Frazier beat Morneau in a swing-off as both were tied with 2 homers after the first round.

2015[edit]

The format was changed, with the 8 participants being seeded 1 to 8 and facing off head-to-head in a bracket, with the winner advancing to the next round. In the opening round, both leagues hit 44 homers; National League players then won the final three head-to-head match-ups to finish ahead of the AL, 81-78.

held on Monday, July 13, 2015 at Great American Ball Park
First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Albert Pujols   10   
8 Kris Bryant       1 Albert Pujols   11   
5 Manny Machado   12    4 Joc Pederson   12   
4 Joc Pederson   13        4 Joc Pederson   14 
3 Josh Donaldson   9        2 Todd Frazier   15 
6 Anthony Rizzo       3 Josh Donaldson  
7 Prince Fielder   13    2 Todd Frazier   10   
2 Todd Frazier   14   

2016[edit]

The format remained the same for the third straight year. However, as there were five players from the National League competing against three American Leaguers, the NL's big lead in total homers was almost a foregone conclusion. The NL won the competition between the leagues, 124 to 66.

held on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Petco Park
First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Mark Trumbo   16   
8 Corey Seager   15        Mark Trumbo   14   
5 Giancarlo Stanton   24      Giancarlo Stanton   17   
4 Robinson Cano           Giancarlo Stanton   20 
3 Adam Duvall   11          Todd Frazier   13 
6 Wil Myers   10        Adam Duvall   15 
7 Carlos Gonzalez   12      Todd Frazier   16   
2 Todd Frazier   13   

2017[edit]

The format remained the same as in 2015. This time there were four players from each league competing, however, with one all-NL and one all-AL match-up in the first round. The American League easily won the competition between the leagues, with 116 homers to 75.

held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Marlins Park
First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Giancarlo Stanton   16   
8 Gary Sanchez   17        Gary Sanchez   10   
5 Miguel Sano   11      Miguel Sano   11   
4 Mike Moustakas   10          Miguel Sano   10 
3 Cody Bellinger   15          Aaron Judge   11 
6 Charlie Blackmon   10        Cody Bellinger   12 
7 Justin Bour   22      Aaron Judge   13   
2 Aaron Judge   23   

2018[edit]

held on Monday, July 16, 2018 at Nationals Park

The participants were announced on July 11th, with seven participants from the National League and just one from the American League after some of the junior circuit's most prominent sluggers, such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and J.D. Martinez, declined to participate.

First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Jesus Aguilar   12   
8 Rhys Hoskins   17         Rhys Hoskins  20   
5 Alex Bregman   15       Kyle Schwarber  21   
4 Kyle Schwarber   16           Kyle Schwarber  18 
3 Bryce Harper   13           Bryce Harper  19 
6 Freddie Freeman   12         Bryce Harper  13  
7 Max Muncy   17       Max Muncy  12   
2 Javier Baez   16   

2019[edit]

held on Monday, July 8, 2019 at Progressive Field

The participants were announced on July 3rd, although six of the names were already public by that point (only Joc Pederson and Alex Bregman had not yet been announced). In spite of bonus prizes having been increased, there were still a number of no-shows among the home run leaders, leaving a spot for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had only hit 8 major league homers by the time his participation was confirmed. Christian Yelich, the major league home run leader, withdrew at the last-minute and was replaced by Matt Chapman.

Two rookies made it to the final round, eventual winner Pete Alonso and Guerrero, who along the way set a record with 29 homers in the first round, then shattered it with 40 in an epic second round face-off against Joc Pederson that required three tie-breakers! Guerrero also hit the longest homer of the night, at 488 feet. Alonso won all three of his rounds by just one homer, but it was enough to pocket the increased $1 million prize, more than doubling his annual salary.

First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Matt Chapman   13   
8 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.   29        Vladimir Guerrero Jr.   40   
5 Joc Pederson   21      Joc Pederson    39   
4 Alex Bregman   15          Vladimir Guerrero Jr.    22 
3 Josh Bell   18          Pete Alonso   23 
6 Ronald Acuna   25        Ronald Acuna    19 
7 Carlos Santana   13      Pete Alonso    20   
2 Pete Alonso   14   

2021[edit]

held on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Coors Field

After the cancellation of the 2020 All-Star Game, the Home Run Derby returned in 2021 with the participants and seedings being announced on July 7th. The two major absences were those of 2019 runner-up Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the second most prolific home run hitter at the time, who elected not to take part this time, and Kyle Schwarber, who was injured. All participants wore uniform number 44 in honor of the recently deceased Hank Aaron.

The first round battle between Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani was an epic one, requiring two tiebreakers, with Soto connecting on all three of his swings in the second of the tiebreakers. Meanwhile, Pete Alonso set a record with his 35 dingers in the first round, the destroyed Soto in the second round, exceeding his total with almost a minute left to go, all the while multiplying the tape-measure shots. He faced dark horse Trey Mancini in the final round, whose presence there was already a triumph after his overcoming cancer. But Mancini was not going to roll over before the Alonso steamroller as he blasted a very impressive 22 long balls in the final round. Still, it was not enough, as Alonso seemed to top him effortlessly, blasting five consecutive balls into the depths of Coors Field in the bonus round to defend his title in very impressive style.

First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Shohei Ohtani   28   
8 Juan Soto   31        Juan Soto   15   
5 Pete Alonso   35      Pete Alonso    16   
4 Salvador Perez   28          Pete Alonso    23 
3 Matt Olson   23          Trey Mancini   22 
6 Trey Mancini   24        Trey Mancini    13 
7 Trevor Story   20      Trevor Story    12   
2 Joey Gallo   19   

2022[edit]

held on Monday, July 18, 2022 at Dodger Stadium

The participants and seedings for the 2022 Home Run Derby were announced on July 14th. The field included two-time defending champion Pete Alonso, hoping to become the first player to win the competion in three straight year and an intriguing support cast including 40-something veteran Albert Pujols and rookie Julio Rodríguez. Notable absences included those of New York Yankees sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.

Youth was served in the end as Juan Soto beat out the rookie Rodríguez in the final round, after Rodríguez had upset two-time defending champion Alonso in the semi-final round. At 23, Soto was the second-youngest winner, barely one day older than Juan Gonzalez had been in 1993, while Rodríguez was just 21.

First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Kyle Schwarber   19   
8 Albert Pujols   20         Albert Pujols    15   
5 José Ramírez   17       Juan Soto     16   
4 Juan Soto   18           Juan Soto     19  
3 Corey Seager   24           Julio Rodríguez    18  
6 Julio Rodríguez   32        Julio Rodríguez     31  
7 Ronald Acuna   19       Pete Alonso     24    
2 Pete Alonso   20    

2023[edit]

held on Monday, July 10, 2023 at T-Mobile Park

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the 2023 competition, joining his father, Vladimir Guerrero who had won the event in 2007. He defeated Mookie Betts by a wide margin in the first round (Betts later explained that as a natural line drive hitter, he quickly realized that the Derby did not suit his hitting style), then squeaked by hometown favorite Julio Rodríguez in the second round by just one homer and defeated Randy Arozarena by two long balls in the final round. Pete Alonso failed to become a three-time winner in spite of a good first round because Rodríguez thrilled the crowd with an outrageous display of raw power in which he belted no less than 41 homers. The longest blast of the night belonged to Luis Robert Jr., who sent a ball 484 feet away in the second round, after reaching 470 feet in the first round. Also of note, switch-hitter Adley Rutschman became the first player to take swings as both a left-hander and a right-hander during his first-round duel with Robert Jr.

First Round   Second Round   Finals
1 Luis Robert Jr.   28   
8 Adley Rutschman   27         Luis Robert Jr.    22   
5 Randy Arozarena   24       Randy Arozarena     35   
4 Adolis Garcia   17           Randy Arozarena     23  
3 Mookie Betts   11           Vladimir Guerrero Jr.    25  
6 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.   26        Vladimir Guerrero Jr.     21  
7 Julio Rodríguez   41       Julio Rodríguez     20    
2 Pete Alonso   21    

2024[edit]

held on Monday, July 15, 2024 at Globe Life Field

Head-to-head competition was dropped in the first round in favor off all eight participants being placed in a single pool, with the top four finishers advancing. In the second round, the #1 finisher was pitted against #4, and #2 against #3, with the two winners advancing to the final round. Teoscar Hernandez won the competition by defeating Bobby Witt Jr. in the final round when Witt's final swing hit near the top of the left-centerfield wall, leaving him one homer short of forcing a swing-off (Hernandez had won his second-round match-up against Alec Bohm in a swing-off). The longest homer fo the night was hit by Marcell Ozuna, a blast of 473 feet in the first round.

Player Team First Round Semifinals Finals
Alec Bohm Philadelphia Phillies 21 15 -
Bobby Witt Jr. Kansas City Royals 20 17 13
Adolis Garcia Texas Rangers 18 - -
Teoscar Hernandez Los Angeles Dodgers 19 16 14
Pete Alonso New York Mets 12 - -
José Ramírez Cleveland Guardians 21 12 -
Marcell Ozuna Atlanta Braves 16 - -
Gunnar Henderson Baltimore Orioles 11 - -

Further Reading[edit]

  • Joseph McCollum and Marcus Jaiclin: "Home Run Derby Curse: Fact or Fiction ?", The Baseball Research Journal, SABR, Vol. 39, Number 2 (Fall 2010), pp. 37-40.
  • Kevin Santo: "MLB Home Run Derby: Six show-stopping performances", USA Today Sports, July 7, 2017. [1]