Home Run Derby History
Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby was first held in 1985. It has been an afternoon to evening event on the Monday before the All-Star Game.
This year the T-Mobile Home Run Derby will be at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 13, at Citizens Bank Park. Eight power hitters. Three rounds. Dozens of homers. And one Home Run Derby champion.
Philly Flavor
The first time it took place in Philadelphia was in 1996 when the All-Star Game was played at Veterans Stadium. Barry Bonds (Giants) won (17).
Phillies participants have included 2004 Jim Thome, 2005 Bobby Abreu, 2006 Ryan Howard, 2007 Howard, 2008 Chase Utley, 2009 Howard, 2018 Rhys Hoskins, 2022 Kyle Schwarber (photo) and 2024 Alec Bohm.
Abreu won in 2005 with 41 home runs at Detroit’s Comerica Park, then a Derby record. By the rounds, he hit 24-6-11.
Howard gave the Phillies back-to-back winners the next summer with 23, at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. By the rounds, he hit 8-10-5. He won with five outs remaining in the final round.
Bryce Harper, then with the Nationals, won in 2018 in his home ballpark (45), 13-13-19. The runner-up was Schwarber (Cubs).
History
The format for the competition has changed regularly, as MLB tried to maximize excitement and encourage its top sluggers to take part. As a result, it is not really possible to compare results across eras.
Among changes this year, swings will replace a clock: 20 in the first round, 15 each in rounds 2-3. Tiebreakers: Round 1, longest home run; Round 2 and the final, 3-swing swing off.
After being televised by ESPN from 1994 through 2025, there is a major change this year. Netflix bought the rights to the MLB March 25 Opening Day (Yankees-Giants), the July 13 Home Run Derby and the Aug. 13 “Field of Dreams” game (Phillies-Twins) for $50 million per season on a three-year deal.
Derby Nuggets
Dave Parker (Reds) won the first Derby (1985). The 2025 winner was Cal Raleigh (Mariners).
Most appearances: 8, Ken Griffey Jr.
Most wins: 3, Griffey Jr. (1994, 1998, 1999).
Most home runs, one round: Julio Rodríguez, 41 (2023, first round).
Most home runs, one event: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 91 (2019).
No Derby: 1988 rained out, Riverfront Stadium; 2020, All-Star activities canceled because of covid.