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MLB History: The Ultimate Home Run Derby Competition

By Benjamin Chase

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) of the Oakland Athletics poses with the championship trophy after winning the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) of the Oakland Athletics poses with the championship trophy after winning the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

8th Seed: Prince Fielder

Prince could argue that he’s entirely too low, as he owns the overall most home runs hit in the modern Derby. He’s benefited, however, from rule changes that give him more rounds to do just that.

Interestingly, Prince’s father Cecil Fielder competed twice in the Derby in 1991 and 1993, though he never made a viable run to win either time.

Prince has participated in six Home Run Derby competitions, winning two of them, in 2009 and 2012.

Prince has a great leveraged swing to drive the ball a ton, which allows him to do well in these competitions.

7. Harmon Killebrew

“Killer” was one of the all-time great home run hitters, finishing his career with 573 home runs. He led the league in home runs six times in his career, but what’s remarkable about the TV show is that Killebrew looks so fresh-faced. The reason was, well, he was!

Killebrew was coming off of his 1959 season when the show was filmed, which was his first full season in the major leagues, where he hit 42 home runs to lead the American League. He then stepped into a competition that involved Hall of Famers like Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Ernie Banks, Al Kaline, Duke Snider and more!

Yet Killebrew at 24 years old defeated an established slugger like Mantle in his first appearance on the show. He ended up going 2-2 total on the show, defeating Mantle and Rocky Calavito, but losing to Ken Boyer and Mays.

Next: 6th and 5th Seeds

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