2014 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby

Last updated
2014 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby
DateJuly 14, 2014
Venue Target Field
City Minneapolis, Minnesota
Winner Yoenis Céspedes
Score9–1
  2013 Home Run Derby 2015  

The 2014 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby (known through sponsorship as the Gillette Home Run Derby) was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between five batters each from the American League and National League. The derby was held on July 14, 2014, at the site of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Yoenis Céspedes was the winner, repeating his winning performance in 2013 to join Ken Griffey Jr. and Pete Alonso as the only players to win consecutive Home Run Derbies. [1]

Contents

In June, MLB named José Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies the Home Run Derby captains. [2] On July 8, 2014, the captains each made their first three picks, while saving their final pick for July 10. Tulowitzki selected Todd Frazier of the Cincinnati Reds, Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, and would later select his teammate Justin Morneau who played in Minnesota for ten seasons. Bautista selected defending home run derby champion Céspedes of the Oakland Athletics, Brian Dozier of the Minnesota Twins, and Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles, and added Oakland's Josh Donaldson as his fifth AL selection. [3]

Rule changes

As announced by Major League Baseball, there were changes to the format of the Home Run Derby in 2014. Five players participated from each league, making ten total participants rather than eight in the past. The batting order for the first round was determined prior to the event, with hitter #1 for the National League hitting first, followed by hitter #1 for the American League, and so on until each participant has batted. Each participant received seven outs, rather than 10 in previous years. The player who hit the most home runs from each league in the first round received a bye to the semifinals. The participants with the second and third most home runs from each league will face each other to determine the second semifinalist. The NL semifinal occurred first followed by the AL semifinal. The semifinal winners from each league competed in the finals to determine the Home Run Derby champion. The batting order for the finals was determined by a coin flip. The flex ball, replacing the golden ball from past years, came into play after 6 outs. A home run hit off of a flex ball resulted in a $10,000 donation to charity by Gillette and MLB. [4] Ties in any round were broken by a 3-swing swing-off, and if still needed, sudden-death swings until one player homers and the other does not. [5]

Results

Target Field, Minneapolis — A.L. 54, N.L. 24
PlayerTeamLeagueRound 1Round 2Round 3FinalsTotal
Yoenis Céspedes Athletics American3 (2)97928
Todd Frazier Reds National2 (1)61110
José Bautista Blue Jays American10 Bye 414
Giancarlo Stanton Marlins National6Bye06
Adam Jones Orioles American437
Troy Tulowitzki Rockies National426
Josh Donaldson Athletics American3 (1)3
Justin Morneau Rockies National2 (0)2
Brian Dozier Twins American22
Yasiel Puig Dodgers National00

Notes:

Round 2 Round 3 (Semifinals) Finals
         
1 José Bautista4
American League
3 Yoenis Céspedes 7
2 Adam Jones 3
3 Yoenis Céspedes 9
3 Yoenis Céspedes 9
3 Todd Frazier 1
1 Giancarlo Stanton 0
National League
3 Todd Frazier 1
2 Troy Tulowitzki2
3 Todd Frazier 6

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home Run Derby</span> Major League Baseball annual home run hitting contest

The Home Run Derby is an annual home run hitting competition in Major League Baseball (MLB) customarily held the day before the MLB All-Star Game, which places the contest on a Monday in July. In the context of the competition a "home run" consists of hitting a baseball in fair territory out of the playing field on the fly. It differs from a home run hit during legal gameplay in that the batter is not competing against a pitcher and a defensive team attempting to make an out. In the Home Run Derby, all pitches are purposefully thrown slowly and at a closer range than the official 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) distance, usually by a coach behind a pitching screen. In addition, like batting practice, the batter remains in the batter's box after each swing, and does not run, nor circle the bases to score a run. In 2023, Julio Rodríguez set the single round home run record with 41 homers, topping Vladimir Guerrero’s 40 home runs in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Bautista</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1980)

José Antonio Bautista Santos, nicknamed "Joey Bats", is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder and third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Fielder</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Prince Semien Fielder is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers. He was selected in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by the Brewers out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida, and spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Brewers before signing with the Tigers, in January 2012. In November 2013, Fielder was traded to the Rangers, where he played the remainder of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Tulowitzki</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Troy Trevor Tulowitzki, nicknamed "Tulo", is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Colorado Rockies. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoenis Céspedes</span> Cuban-born baseball player (born 1985)

Yoenis Céspedes Milanés, nicknamed "La Potencia", is a Cuban-born professional baseball outfielder. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on March 28, 2012, for the Oakland Athletics, and has also played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets. Primarily a left fielder in his early career, he split between left and center field on the Mets. A right-hand batter and fielder, he stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kg).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Frazier</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Todd Brian Frazier, nicknamed "The Toddfather", is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Frazier is 6'2", 215 lbs, and right-handed.

The 2007 State Farm Home Run Derby was a 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game event. The Home Run Derby was held on July 9 at AT&T Park, the home field of the San Francisco Giants. As usual, the competition had eight competitors, seven of whom were eliminated over three rounds. The Home Run Derby was seen July 9 on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST. Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim beat Alex Ríos of the Toronto Blue Jays 3–2 in the final.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby</span>

The 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the American League and National League. The derby was held on July 14, 2008, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City, the host location of the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. ESPN televised the event live at 8:00 PM EDT, with ESPN Radio and XM Satellite Radio handling radio broadcasting duties.

The 2009 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the National League and American League. The derby was held on July 13, 2009, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, the host location of the 2009 MLB All-Star Game. ESPN, Rogers Sportsnet (Canada), and ESPN America (Europe) telecast the event, while ESPN Radio broadcast on radio.

The 2010 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the American League and National League. The derby was held on July 12, 2010, at the site of the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. The event was broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN 3D, and ESPN Deportes. It was also broadcast internationally on Rogers SportsNet in Canada, and ESPN America in Europe. David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox won the event.

The 2011 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the National League and American League. The derby was held on July 11, 2011, at the site of the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Dozier</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

James Brian Dozier is an American former professional baseball second baseman. The Minnesota Twins selected Dozier in the eighth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 and he played in MLB for the Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals and New York Mets. Dozier was an All-Star in 2015, and won a Gold Glove Award in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby</span>

The 2012 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the American League and National League. The derby was held on July 9, 2012, at the site of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby</span>

The 2013 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the National League and American League. The derby was held on July 15, 2013, at the site of the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, Citi Field in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 American League Division Series</span>

The 2013 American League Division Series were two best-of-five-game series to determine the teams that would participate in the 2013 American League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team — the winner of a one-game Wild Card playoff — played in two series. TBS carried most of the games, with some on MLB Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Oakland Athletics season</span> Major League Baseball season

The 2014 Oakland Athletics season was the 46th for the franchise at O.co Coliseum, as well as the 114th in club history. The Athletics entered the season hoping to win a third consecutive American League West championship; to that end, the team made a number of key signings and trades during the 2013-14 MLB offseason. Notably, Athletics traded outfielder Michael Choice for left fielder Craig Gentry and pitcher Josh Lindblom; they also traded the promising but oft-injured Brett Anderson for reliever Drew Pomeranz. Additional trades brought in relievers Fernando Abad, Luke Gregerson, and Jim Johnson. In free agency, the Athletics signed former All-Star starting pitcher Scott Kazmir to a two-year deal. These moves, among others, sought to bolster the depth of team's starting pitching and bullpen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael A. Taylor</span> American baseball player (born 1991)

Michael Anthony Taylor is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Taylor was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals, and made his MLB debut with them in 2014. Taylor was a member of the 2019 World Series champions. The Nationals traded Taylor to the Kansas City Royals after the 2020 season, and he won the Gold Glove Award and Fielding Bible Award in 2021.

The 2015 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 13, 2015, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, the site of the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 American League Championship Series</span> 46th edition of Major League Baseballs American League Championship Series

The 2015 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was a best-of-seven playoff contested between the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals for the American League (AL) pennant and the right to play in the 2015 World Series. The series is the 46th in league history. The series was broadcast by Fox and Fox Sports 1 in the United States, with Fox airing Game 1 and Fox Sports 1 airing Games 2–6. Sportsnet, a property of Blue Jays owner Rogers Communications, simulcast Fox and Fox Sports 1's coverage in Canada. Game 1 took place on October 16, and the series ended with the Royals winning Game 6 on October 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby</span>

The 2016 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 11, 2016, at Petco Park in San Diego, California, the site of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. On July 8, the participants that will be eligible to participate in the Home Run Derby were announced. Giancarlo Stanton won the Home Run Derby by defeating defending champion Todd Frazier 20–13.

References

External video
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg 2014 All-Star Home Run Derby on YouTube
  1. Perrotto, John (July 15, 2014). "La Potencia time: Yoenis Cespedes defends HR Derby title". usatoday.com. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  2. "Bautista, Tulowitzki to captain Derby". ESPN . June 24, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  3. "Yoenis Cespedes back for HR Derby". ESPN . July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  4. O'Brien, Evan (July 14, 2014). "The 2014 Home Run Derby". Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  5. "New format for 2014 Home Run Derby". ESPN . July 12, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.