Home Run Derby facts for kids
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Giancarlo Stanton poses with the trophy for winning the 2016 Home Run Derby.
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| 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 Home Run Derby is an exciting yearly competition in Major League Baseball (MLB). It usually happens the day before the MLB All-Star Game in July. In this contest, players try to hit as many baseballs as possible out of the park.
It's different from a regular game because the batter isn't facing a pitcher trying to get them out. Instead, a coach throws slow pitches from a closer distance. The batter stays in the same spot after each swing. They don't run around the bases like in a real game.
In 2023, Julio Rodríguez hit a record 41 home runs in one round! This beat the previous record of 40 set by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2019. Players can even wear their hats backward since the sun isn't an issue.
The Home Run Derby has changed a lot since it started in 1985. It used to be based on "outs" but now it's a timed event with a bracket style.
Discover the Home Run Derby's History
The idea for the Home Run Derby came from a TV show in 1960. That show was also called Home Run Derby. Famous baseball players like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays were on it. The winner of each show got $2,000.
The event today is much bigger than it was in the 1980s. Back then, it wasn't even shown on TV! Before 1991, players had two chances to hit as many home runs as they could. Now, it's one of the most-watched events on ESPN.
In 2000, they tried a "match play" style for the second round. The player with the most home runs played against the one with the fewest. This format didn't last long and was stopped after 2003.
Today, eight players are chosen for the Derby. Four come from the American League and four from the National League. In the first Derby in 1985, there were five players from each league.
In 2005, players represented their home countries instead of their leagues. This was to help promote the first World Baseball Classic. But by 2006, they went back to having four players from each league.
In 2021, Shohei Ohtani made history. He was the first pitcher and the first Japanese player to join the Derby.
Some amazing performances have happened in the Derby. In 2005, Bobby Abreu won with a record 41 homers. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. broke the first-round record in 2019 with 29 home runs. He then hit 40 home runs in a tie-breaker round!
The overall record for most home runs in one Derby is 91. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set this record in 2019. Only three players have won the Derby without being chosen for the All-Star Game: Yoenis Céspedes, Giancarlo Stanton, and Pete Alonso.
In 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won, following in his father's footsteps. His dad, Vladimir Guerrero, won in 2007. They are the first father-son duo to win the Derby!
How the Home Run Derby Works
Understanding the Game Format
Eight players compete in this home run challenge.
Early Years: 1985–1990
In the beginning, 4 to 10 players from each league participated. Each player had two "innings" to hit as many home runs as possible. They got five "outs" per inning. An "out" meant any swing that wasn't a home run. The player with the most home runs won.
Timed Rounds: 2015–2019, and Since 2021
The format changed a lot in 2015. They got rid of "outs" and added a time limit. Eight players are ranked based on their season's home run totals. Each player gets five minutes to hit as many home runs as they can.
Players go head-to-head in a bracket. The winner of each matchup moves on. If there's a tie, they have a 1-minute swing-off. If it's still tied, they get three swings at a time until someone wins.
Players can also earn "bonus time." If they hit two home runs over 420 feet, they get an extra minute. If one home run goes over 475 feet, they get an extra 30 seconds.
In 2016, the rounds became four minutes long. The bonus time was reduced to 30 seconds for two home runs over 440 feet. Each batter gets one timeout per round and two in the finals.
In 2021, the time limit changed to three minutes plus a 30-second bonus. An extra 30 seconds (totaling one minute) was added for a home run over 475 feet. For ties, players get one extra minute. If still tied, they get three swings each. In the final round, players get two minutes.
Since 2022, the bonus time rules went back to two home runs over 440 feet.
Golden Ball Donations
From 2005 to 2013, a special gold ball was used. If a player hit a home run with the gold ball, money was donated to charity. For example, Century 21 Real Estate and MLB donated $21,000 per golden ball home run. This money went to groups like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Easter Seals.
Since 2014, a magenta T-Mobile Ball has been used. Every home run hit with this ball means a $10,000 donation to charity by T-Mobile and MLB. This money goes to Team Rubicon.
Watching the Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby was first shown on national TV by ESPN in 1993. It was shown later that day. The first live broadcast was in 1998. The show is usually scheduled for two hours, but it often runs for three or four hours.
Chris Berman is a well-known host for ESPN's coverage. He's famous for his catchphrase, "Back back back...Gone!" He says "Gone!" only when the ball lands.
The 2008 Derby was the most-watched basic cable show that year. Because it's so popular, players often feel pressure to join. For example, Ken Griffey Jr. first said no to playing in 1998. But after talking to some baseball legends, he changed his mind and won!
The event is also shown in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. You can also listen to it on ESPN Radio.
Most Watched Home Run Derbys
| Rank | Year | Winner | Ballpark | Viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Home Run Derby Champions
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Indicates multiple winners in the same year |
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Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame |
Home Run Derby Records
Most Home Runs in One Round
These numbers include tie-breaking swing-offs.
| 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 Home Runs in One Derby Event
These numbers include tie-breaking swing-offs.
| 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
These numbers include tie-breaking swing-offs.
| 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.
See also
In Spanish: Home Run Derby para niños
- List of Major League Baseball All-Star Games
- MLB Home Run Derby X, a global tournament started in 2022
