HOUSTON -- The left field Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park are known for being a "short porch," where both teams can benefit from a well-placed 325-foot would-be fly ball that has garnered an eye roll or 10 from Major League players over the years.

But that area can look much farther to a retired player trying to hit a few bombs after not taking any swings for at least the past year.

That's part of the fun of the Astros' Home Run Derby, now in its second year and quickly becoming a staple of Hall of Fame weekend.

"Literally a year ago is the last time I swung a bat," said Geoff Blum, a former Astros utility man who now calls games on the club's television broadcasts. "I was worried about making the swings. I was worried about the contact. And then, all of a sudden, fatigue sets in."

Not hitting a single home run was a "worry" of all four participants, though the event was, of course, all in good fun. The field of four former Astros -- Blum, outfielder Brian Bogusevic, pitcher Brandon Backe and outfielder Luke Scott -- had varying degrees of expectations of actually winning the Derby. But each wanted to simply have a good showing.

"I was nervous I wasn't going to hit any," Bogusevic said. "Hitting -- no, I wasn't nervous to hit. But I was nervous I was going to get goose eggs. Mission accomplished."

The left-handed-hitting Bogusevic won the event, launching 15 home runs into the right-field stands in the second round to top Scott, who hit seven. Scott, the defending champ after winning the inaugural event last year, entered the Derby prepared and feeling motivated, but he also good-naturedly passed the baton to the new title winner.

"It was a lot of fun," Scott said. "I was wanting to get in a good groove. At the same time, you tip your cap to Bogusevic, man. He was putting on a show. I was having a good time watching it myself."

The Derby was the final act of a packed weekend that is dedicated, in part, to Astros alumni. Inviting past players back in the early part of August has been a long-standing tradition for the club, but this year, the celebration was elevated with the inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony, which took place on Saturday ahead of the club's 12th no-hitter.

Backe, a regular attendee of Alumni Weekend, enjoyed his brief time back on the field for the Home Run Derby, even if he didn't win it.

"That was fun," he said. "Just being out here, doing baseball activities, seeing the fans, it's wonderful. I just enjoy this so much."