The Home Run Derby, naturally, is one of baseball's most star-studded traditions.
After all, to even be invited to participate, one has to be a pretty impressive slugger, and few players who fit that archetype fly under the radar. On those occasions that a lesser-known name does make it all the way to the Derby, discounting their chances at a win can feel like the most practical choice. Come on, what really are the odds?
Well, better than we might think, because past experience would suggest we set those underdogs aside at our own risk. Here’s a look at some of the most unlikely Home Run Derby winners since the first edition in 1985.
Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers -- 2024
Up against the likes of Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Marcell Ozuna and José Ramírez, it was easy to overlook Hernández, just a second-time All-Star who'd long played a supporting role to bigger stars on his own clubs. That made his victory -- which required taking on another phenom in Bobby Witt Jr. in an intense 14-13 final round -- all the more exciting. For bonus points, the underdog Hernández was also the first Derby champ in Dodgers history.
Todd Frazier, Reds -- 2015
Frazier was the hometown favorite when he competed in the 2015 Home Run Derby at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park. But even though he had 25 homers entering that season’s All-Star break, he wasn’t exactly a favorite in a field that included Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Josh Donaldson.
Still, Frazier put on a show for the hometown fans, winning with an electric performance that went down to the wire in the first Derby under timed conditions.
Justin Morneau, Twins -- 2008
In one of the most memorable Derbies in history, one in which the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton stepped to the plate in the final year of the old Yankee Stadium and shattered the first-round record by launching 28 homers -- including 13 straight -- it was Morneau who emerged the winner by defeating Hamilton in the final round, 5-3.
The Twins first baseman had 14 home runs entering the All-Star break and finished with 13 fewer than Hamilton overall.
Bobby Abreu, Phillies -- 2005
Abreu outslugged Tigers catcher and future Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez to win the title in a Derby that featured David Ortiz, Mark Teixeira and Andruw Jones -- Jones finished that season with an MLB-high 51 home runs. But Abreu won handily in the final round by outhomering Rodriguez, 11-5 at Comerica Park.
That was after Abreu smashed 24 first-round homers and a then-record 41 overall.
Miguel Tejada, Orioles -- 2004
In a Derby featuring luminaries like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Jim Thome and Ortiz, Tejada had a big second round with 15 homers to reach the finals against Lance Berkman.
Tejada prevailed by edging Berkman, 5-4, at Minute Maid Park.
Garret Anderson, Angels -- 2003
On the South Side of Chicago, Pujols and Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi were the early stars of the show, with 18 and 23 homers over the first two rounds.
But in a dramatic final round showdown with Pujols, Anderson -- who only topped 30 homers once in his career -- won, 9-8.
Tino Martinez, Yankees -- 1997
Martinez only hit 16 home runs over the contest at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, but his five first-round dingers were enough to get him to the semifinals. He hit eight to reach the final round against the Rockies’ Larry Walker. Martinez out-homered Walker, 3-1, to become the 1997 Home Run Derby champion.
The field included several legendary power hitters, including Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Jeff Bagwell and Thome.
Wally Joyner, Angels -- 1986
Joyner was a rookie first baseman who would finish with 22 home runs in 1986, but he was a co-winner, along with Mets superstar Darryl Strawberry, of that year’s Home Run Derby at the Astrodome. The field included the Athletics’ powerful rookie slugger Jose Canseco and the Reds’ Dave Parker.