Home Run Derby a major win for MLB

The Lineup

This year’s Home Run Derby had the potential to be among the best ever. Entries included two of the game’s most polarizing figures, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Along with up and coming sluggers, Miguel Sano and Gary Sanchez, Kansas City favorite, Mike Moustakas, rookie phenom, Cody Bellinger, and two players that are too good to be even slightly overlooked, Charlie Blackmon and Justin Bour. There couldn’t have been a more noteworthy or deserving lineup of home run hitters.

New York represents the largest market in the sport. Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez brought plenty of attention from the Northeast. Cody Bellinger represented the not-too-shabby Los Angeles market. Retracing to the USA Today piece, the New York market contributed a 10.8 rating to the Home Run Derby. And the always loyal Kansas City Royals’ fans backed Mike Moustakas for an incredible 13.6 local rating.

But all eyes were on the 6’7”, 282 pound Aaron Judge. Stanton had his moment last year; Monday night was Judge’s time to shine. Judge did not disappoint. He overcame the adversity presented right off the bat by Justin Bour, one-upping Bour with 23 home runs in the opening round. Judge made it look effortless all night. His final two rounds resulted in smooth sailing defeats over Cody Bellinger and Miguel Sano. Tape-measure shot after tape-measure shot, Aaron Judge stole the show just as everyone hoped he would. He left everyone in awe as the night wrapped up, and into the coming days.

The event could not have been more welcoming to Aaron Judge. He had already won the College Home Run Derby in his final season at Fresno State. The MLB Home Run Derby presented the same objective and the same motive, just on a bigger stage. More than anyone, Judge is made for home run competitions. He’s somehow surpassed his already unimaginable hype, and he managed to do it once again in the 2017 Home Run Derby.