SEATTLE -- Fans will now be able to stream Friday night’s Alumni Home Run Derby for free on Mariners.TV and MLB.TV, with no blackouts.
With that night’s game against the Rays on Apple TV, the Mariners have opted to produce the postgame Derby stream in-house -- similar to a Spring Training in-house stream -- with Aaron Goldsmith and Gary Hill Jr. on the call.
Originally, the club had intended for its own broadcast to roll right into the Alumni Derby, but the game was picked up by Apple and its national telecast in July.
The Mariners then considered not broadcasting the Derby at all due to logistical challenges, and they couldn’t reschedule the Derby, having already announced it as part of the 50th season celebration.
That led to Tuesday’s announcement to produce it in-house.
Ichiro Suzuki is the headliner among Derby participants, along with Mike Cameron, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ryon Healy, Stefen Romero, Austin Nola and Bucky Jacobsen.
Ken Griffey Jr. will serve as commissioner, Jay Buhner and Nelson Cruz will serve as coaches, and Julio Rodríguez will be DJ’ing the event.
The Derby, to be hosted by MLB Network personality Greg Amsinger, will feature two rounds, with the top two hitters from the first round advancing to the championship round. Fans can also pick up special tickets to the game that include an Alumni Home Run Derby T-shirt.