Major League Baseball: More Home Run Derbies on the Horizon?
It seems the Home Run Derby isn’t just a one-time event during All-Star weekend anymore. The Milwaukee Brewers recently hosted an alumni home run derby, featuring stars like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, after a game against the Miami Marlins last month. This innovative promotion captivated a sellout crowd of 41,944 fans, with most of them staying to enjoy the postgame festivities.
Other teams took note of this success. “I thought it was a great idea and applaud them,” said Derrick Hall, president and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I believe all of us will be considering something similar.”
Brewers manager Pat Murphy is already brainstorming ways to build on this concept. “I think it just opens the door,” Murphy remarked. “Can you imagine a Brewers versus Cubs home run derby — their legends against ours? Just think about that happening across the league!”
The Brewers’ event took place just 11 days after Seattle’s Cal Raleigh won MLB’s Home Run Derby, which was decided on a swing-off after a 6-6 tie in regular innings. Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber hit three home runs, sealing a 4-3 victory for the National League.
Brewers president of business operations, Rick Schlesinger, mentioned that around six MLB teams reached out after their alumni home run derby to gather information on its success.
This promotion also marked a 25th-anniversary celebration of American Family Field. Former Brewer Keon Broxton, who played for the team from 2016 to 2018, won the event and recreated Prince Fielder’s iconic home run celebration by striking a pose at home plate while his teammates fell back like bowling pins. “It was awesome,” Broxton exclaimed afterward.
The Brewers weren’t the pioneers of such promotions; the Houston Astros held their alumni home run derbies in 2018 and 2019. The Atlanta Braves also organized an alumni softball home run derby last year the hero’s savior.
This method offers a fresh way to welcome former players compared to traditional Old Timers’ Day events we used to see. The New York Yankees are set to host their first Old Timers’ Day game since 2019 on August 9, while the New York Mets will have an alumni game on September 13. globalport batang pier
However, the Brewers’ recent event drew significant national attention, especially as highlights showcased the enthusiastic crowd that remained engaged throughout the event. “Everyone here said they’d return for something similar, whether it’s what Murph suggested or an intra-team game — maybe guys from 2005-2010 against those from 2010-2015,” said Casey McGehee, who played for the Brewers from 2009-2011 and participated in the derby. “There’s huge potential for some really exciting events from this.”
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough didn’t get to see the alumni derby that followed his team’s game in Milwaukee, but he supports Murphy’s idea for expanding this initiative. “Part of the beauty of our sport is honoring those who played before us, recognizing the history of our game and those who have made significant impacts,” McCullough stated. “So I’m all for celebrating those who accomplished meaningful things.”
One challenge when organizing an alumni home run derby is selecting the right former players: they need to be retired but still young enough to handle major league pitching. The Brewers didn’t put up temporary fences to help make home runs more frequent, and the swings from former players didn’t clear the outfield as often as they did in their prime.
McGehee believes that future home run derby events could bring even more power than last weekend’s showcase. He mentioned he attempted to prepare his swing before the event, but family matters took priority. chavit singson wives “If I get another chance, I’ll definitely be more ready,” he said. “With what we learned, I think the show would be even better since we saw how amazing it could be. I believe people will be setting aside a significant amount of time to prepare.”
Reporting by The Associated Press swerte99 log in. What do you think about the possibility of more alumni home run derbies in the future winph9?