Jul
11
2011

All Star Week: A Look Back At Mets In The Home Run Derby

An article by Jim Mancari

Tonight is the annual Home Run Derby, which in my mind is one of the most exciting events in all of sports.

Though no Mets will be participating, the field consisting of David Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Matt Kemp and Matt Holliday should put on a good show.

Since the event’s inception in 1985, only four Mets players have ever participated in the Home Run Derby.

The first was the sweet-swinging Darryl Strawberry, who was the co-winner of the derby in 1986. He hit four home runs, which tied Wally Joyner of the California Angels for a shared title.

Strawberry also appeared in the 1990 derby, but he failed to hit a home run. In fact, that year five of the eight participants did not hit home runs. Ryne Sandberg won the derby with just three home runs.

Howard Johnson competed in the 1989 and 1991 derbies and only hit a total of two home runs.

In 1993, Bobby Bonilla put on a good show, clubbing five home runs but ultimately failed to make the playoff round (Ken Griffey, Jr. defeated Juan Gonzalez).

Mike Piazza made two Home Run Derby appearances, but both came as a member of the Dodgers. For all the home runs he hit during his career, he did not hit a single home run in the competition. It’s no wonder that he later became a broadcaster for the event.

After Bonilla, the Mets went on a 12-year hiatus in home run derby participants until a memorable night in July 2006.

A young David Wright was selected to his first All-Star Game as the starting third baseman for the National League and also to flex his muscles in the derby. He had 20 home runs at the break, but he was by no means considered a major contender.

However, Wright put on a great show for the fans at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. He slugged 16 home runs in the first round, which is actually the fourth highest total for a single round in derby history (Josh Hamilton 28, Bobby Abreu 24, David Ortiz 17).

He advanced all the way to finals, where he squared of against Ryan Howard. Wright hit four homers, but it wasn’t enough fend off Howard, who won the derby by hitting his fifth home run.

As icing on the cake, Wright followed his Home Run Derby performance by hitting a home run the next night in his first All-Star at-bat.

Though Wright went on a significant home run hitting drought after the break (regardless of if it was caused by the derby), that was a night to remember for Mets fans.

Maybe someday soon the Mets will have another competitor in the derby. But as a team built on small ball, home runs aren’t exactly their scene.

Enjoy the derby tonight, and hopefully we see the ball fly out of Chase Field (especially into the pool in right center).

If I was a betting man, I’d go with Jose Bautista.

About the Author: Jim Mancari

Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.

8 Comments + Add Comment

alex68 July 11, 2011 at 9:39 am

After Bonilla, the Mets went on a 12-year hiatus in home run derby participants until a memorable night in July 2006″

LMAO, are you serious??? memorable night??
- Jim Mancari July 11, 2011 at 10:08 am
  
  David Wright’s performance was definitely memorable. Maybe you didn’t watch it, but as a Mets fan, it was great.
  - alex68 July 11, 2011 at 11:11 am
    
    ohhh i did watch, the only thing memorable about that is that he hit 7 hr the rest of the way (including the postseason), then ppl started making excuses for him, “ohh the hr derby messed him up” blah blah blah.. that’s what’s so memorable about it.. btw, he lost to ryan howard..
  - Metsie July 11, 2011 at 11:30 am
    
    Don’t mind Alex Jim…he is Murphy’s agent and can’t wait to get rid of Wright so his boy has a spot to play when Davis gets back.
    - alex68 July 11, 2011 at 11:56 am
      
      MURPHY??? my boy??? jahajahajahajahajahajahajaha!!!!!!
      don’t make me laugh!!! he’s a sub at best, i don’t wanna get rid of wright unless is for pitching, true pitching, murphy is a guy who should be on the bench, but unfortunately he’s gotta be our #4 hitter, because everyone either is hurt or is jason baying it.. murphy, please gimme a break
mci July 11, 2011 at 12:29 pm

a meaningless exhibition with souped up balls you call one of the great sporting events. You should startng blogging for the WWE.
Alex in CT July 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Strawberry also appeared in the 1990 derby, but he failed to hit a home run. In fact, that year five of the eight participants did not hit home runs. Ryne Sandberg won the derby with just three home runs.

I was just thinking of how much worse it will be when they have the homerun derby in Citi Field. What park was it in in 1990?
Annie Savoy July 12, 2011 at 9:36 am

I watched it. And, I enjoyed it because Robinson Cano’s pitcher/partner was his Dad. It was just like in the backyard and Robinson – whose Dad named him after Jackie Robinson who had been a teammate of his – simply hit whatever Dad threw.

Could there be anything more normal?

No wonder Robinson was so relaxed and comfortable. He was a charming winner, too. Watch him again tonight when he’s at his post at second base.

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