Home Run Derby History

One of the coolest projects I ever did, was a piece on the history of the home run derby. It was a 30 min ppt presentation that I actually loved doing. It was fun to research everything about it. Unfortunately, I cannot find that document, but I will post what I remember here. This will allow you to share in some of the fun facts. Following this post, I will break down this years field later today.



List of Winners
1985 Dave Parker Reds
1986 Daryl Strawberry Mets, Wally Joyner Angels
1987 Andre Dawson Cubs
1988 Cancelled due to rain
1989 Eric Davis Reds, Ruben Sierra Rangers
1990 Ryne Sandberg Cubs
1991 Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles (Also won all-star game MVP that season)
1992 Mark McGwire A's *(McGwire has been linked to roids, Griffey finished 2nd this season)
1993 Juan Gonzalez Rangers *(Gonzalez was named in Canseco's book, Griffey lost in playoff to Gonzo)
1994 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
1995 Frank Thomas White Sox (Also homered in all-star game)
1996 Barry Bonds Giants *(Presumably before Bonds took roids, but who knows? McGwire was 2nd, Brady Anderson 3rd)
1997 Tino Martinez Yankees
1998 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
1999 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
2000 Sammy Sosa Cubs *(Sosa has been linked to roids, Griffey finished 2nd)
2001 Luis Gonzalez Diamondbacks
2002 Jason Giambi Yankees *(roids, Sosa finished 2nd, Konerko 3rd)
2003 Garret Anderson Angels (also won all-star game MVP)
2004 Miguel Tejada Orioles *(roids, Lance Berkman finished 2nd)
2005 Bobby Abreu Phillies
2006 Ryan Howard Phillies
2007 Vladimir Guerrero Angels
2008 Justin Morneau Twins
2009 Prince Fielder Brewers (In this years field)
2010 David Ortiz Red Sox *(roids, Hanely Ramirez finished 2nd)
2011 Robinson Cano Yankees

Fun Facts
There is only one person who has won the home run derby more than once

The best player of this generation won 3 times. That feat is absolutely amazing when you consider the his injury history and the fact that he was never linked to performance enhancing drugs. Griffey also came in 2nd three times to steroid users. If you count those as titles for Griffey, then he has six. Having six titles and being the only person with multiple is quite the accomplishment.

In 1993 someone hit the warehouse in Camden Yards for the 1st and only time it has been hit. Any guess on who pulled that off?

I hope this shows most people why Ken Griffey Jr is my favorite baseball player. In an era full of cheaters, he dominated, and he did it clean. That alone should put him in the ranks of baseball's all-time elite.

-Noland