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Braves Freddie Freeman to Participate in the 2018 MLB Home Run Derby

By Brian Cox |
ATLANTA, GA JUNE 16: Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a single during the game between Atlanta and San Diego on June 16th, 2018 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta Braves defeated the San Diego Padres by a score of 1 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA JUNE 16: Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a single during the game between Atlanta and San Diego on June 16th, 2018 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta Braves defeated the San Diego Padres by a score of 1 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves star first baseman is participating in this year’s Home Run Derby, but where will he rank among Braves who have participated in the event?

After leading all National League players in votes for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, Freddie Freeman has joined the roster of Home Run Derby participants for this year’s contest in Washington, D.C.

Freeman is one amongst seven first-time derby participants.  Freeman’s first-round opponent, Washington’s Bryce Harper, is the only player in this year’s iteration of the derby to have participated in a previous year. He’s also going to have plenty of support as he’s the “hometown favorite” with the game being held in Washington, D.C.

Freeman will be the first Brave to participate since the derby went to a full bracket-style format in 2015. In fact, Freddie is the first Brave to participate in the derby since 2005 when Andruw Jones represented the Braves, and the Netherlands, in an International-themed Home Run Derby.

Prior to 2018, the Braves have had 10 participants since the Home Run Derby started up in 1985, and for the most part, Atlanta has not been well-represented in the exhibition. Let’s take a look at how each fared:

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FLUSHING, NY – 1987: Outfielder Dale Murphy #3 of the Atlanta Braves follows through after swinging at a pitch during a game in 1987 against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images)
FLUSHING, NY – 1987: Outfielder Dale Murphy #3 of the Atlanta Braves follows through after swinging at a pitch during a game in 1987 against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

1985 – Dale Murphy

In the inaugural MLB Home Run Derby, Dale Murphy finished tied for 2nd with 4 other players with 4 home runs. Dave Parker of the Cincinnati Reds won the contest with 6 home runs. Dale would go on to lead the National League with 37 home runs that season.

1987 – Ozzie Virgil, Jr.

With just 4 participants in the 1987 Home Run Derby, Ozzie Virgil, Jr. finished as the runner-up behind Andre Dawson. Dawson, who had a meager 4 home runs, won the contest over Virgil, Jr. who finished with 2 dingers. Virgil was not much of a hitter over his major league career, hitting just .243/.324/.416 over his major league career and finishing short of 100 career home runs, but he would have his career-high with 27 dingers in 1987.

1993 – David Justice

1993 proved to be another lackluster year in terms of Home Run Derby totals.  Juan Gonzalez beat Ken Griffey, Jr. in a playoff after each player totaled 7 home runs in regulation.  David Justice finished the derby in 6th place with a grand total of 2 jacks. Justice would go on to finish the 1993 season with 40 home runs, the first of two 40-homer seasons for him over his career, but really his last full great season for the Braves before injuries began to dig into his playing time over the next three seasons, leading to his trade to the Indians after the 1996 season.

Next: Crime Dog, Chipper, and Javy

CHICAGO – 1997: Fred McGriff of the Atlanta Braves bats during an MLB game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1997 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CHICAGO – 1997: Fred McGriff of the Atlanta Braves bats during an MLB game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1997 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

1994 – Fred McGriff

Following the blockbuster trade of McGriff from San Diego to Atlanta in 1993, the Crime Dog finished as the runner-up in the 1994 Home Run Derby with 5 home runs, just 2 behind winner Ken Griffey, Jr. Of course, his impact would be felt much more in the next season as he was a key catalyst as the Braves brought home their first championship in Atlanta.

1997 – Chipper Jones

In just his 3rd full season in the big leagues, Chipper Jones made the NL All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby for the first time.

Having seen the HR totals skyrocket in the previous two derbies, Jones managed to hit just 3 home runs to finish the contest tied for 6th. Jones would finish the season with 21 home runs, which would remain his lowest single-season total for nearly a decade, even in injury-shortened seasons.

1998 – Chipper Jones and Javy Lopez

The 1998 Home Run Derby marked the first time that two Atlanta Braves participated in the same year.

In Chipper’s second try, he only managed to hit 1 home run and finished dead last.

Javy, on the other hand, hit a respectable 5 home runs in his first and only derby appearance, but finished well behind the winner (Ken Griffey, Jr. with 19).

Of course, the 1998 Braves team featured a host of power, with Chipper (34), Javy (34), Andres Galarraga (44), and Andruw Jones (31) all topping 30 home runs on the season.

Next: Chipper, Sheff, and Andruw

PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game on October 1, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game on October 1, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2000 – Chipper Jones

Chipper’s third and final Home Run Derby appearance took place at Turner Field in the year 2000, somehow not included in his MVP 1999 season when he hit 45 home runs. Trying to make up for past derby failures, Chipper missed the semi-final cut with only 2 home runs.

He made up for it when it counted in front of the hometown fans, however, when he hit a home run off of James Baldwin in the All Star game the following night. He would go on to 36 home runs on the season.

2003 – Gary Sheffield

The quick-wristed Gary Sheffield tried to reverse the Braves fortunes in Home Run Derby performances, but failed to make it past the first round with just 4 home runs.  He actually tied Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds for 3rd in the first round, but lost the tie breaker to both, as the top four hitters advanced to the semi-finals. Sheffield would finish the season with 39 home runs, though teammate Javy Lopez led the team with 43 that year.

2005 – Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones led all of Major League Baseball in home runs during the 2005 season with 51. Unfortunately, as was the case with every other player representing the Braves in the Home Run Derby, Jones finished tied for 5th with just 5 home runs.

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So where will Freddie Freeman end up ranking among the Braves Home Run Derby participants over the event’s history? Does he have a chance to win the whole thing? Join the discussion! Comment below!!

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