5 Greatest Twins Home Run Derby Performances of All Time

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins have not been considered one of the most premier teams in baseball on a yearly basis for some time. However, the 2019 Bomba Squad holds the Major League Baseball record for most home runs by a team in a single season. With the Home Run Derby upon us, it’s worth looking back at some franchise performances.

 

Image courtesy of Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the Minnesota Twins posting a Major League Baseball record 307 home runs, they did not have a single participant in the Home Run Derby that year. Nelson Cruz, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, and Mitch Garver all blasted more than 30 homers individually, but none of them competed in the longball event held at the Guardians Progressive Field.

Over the years, Minnesota has had their fair share of Home Run Derby participants. With the next iteration of the event on tap, here are the top five performances in franchise history.

5. Brian Dozier 2014
Once a failed shortstop for Minnesota, Dozier turned himself into among the best offensive second basemen in all of baseball. He found a way to yank pitches out to left field, and his home run numbers went through the roof. Despite missing the All-Star Game in 2014, Dozier was invited to participate in the Home Run Derby. He was a hometown contestant with the event held at Target Field, and despite just hitting two dingers, his appearance fueled excitement. Yoenis Cespedes ultimately won the event, but Dozier would go on to blast 42 home runs just two seasons later.

4. Miguel Sano 2017
As a first-time all-star, Sano took his talents to South Beach and appeared in the Home Run Derby following a 25 dinger season the year prior. Hometown favorite Giancarlo Stanton was expected to win, but Sano drew a favorable bracket matchup with the Kansas City Royals Mike Moustakas opposing him. After knocking off the Royals third basemen, he also bested future teammate Gary Sanchez to find himself in the finals against Yankees star Aaron Judge. Sano came up one longball short, but his showing was beyond impressive and highlighted a story of player that had been clamored for since being a teenager.

3. Joe Mauer 2009
Through his first 561 career games Mauer had just 44 homers to his credit. Having won two batting titles already, the Minnesota-native began flipping baseballs into the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome seats. He finished 2009 with an MVP award and 28 homers. Invited to the derby that year in St. Louis, Mauer’s five first-round dingers forced a swing off with Albert Pujols and Carlos Pena. He wound up netting no more and went home quietly, but his season ended with some better hardware.

2. Tom Brunansky 1985
Competing in the first-ever iteration of the Home Run Derby, Brunansky represented the Twins with the event held at the Metrodome. He was a first-time all-star and his 32 dingers the season before was a career high. Parameters were obviously be shifted as the event drew popularity, but in its introduction, Dave Parker won, sending just six longballs into the seats. Brunansky finished second with four to his credit. He tied with all-time greats such as Carlton Fisk, Dale Murphy, Eddie Murray, and Jim Rice.

1. Justin Morneau 2008
Forever known as the Josh Hamilton derby, Morneau wound up winning in New York. Widely regarded as one of the best contests of all time, Morneau made it through the first round with eight homers to his credit. After Hamilton’s 28 blast barrage, he couldn’t keep things going in the final round. Morneau launched five homers in the final round to take the crown. The field was an interesting one with only Morneau, Hamilton, and Lance Berkman as true sluggers. More pure power hitters like Ryan Braun, Dan Uggla, and Chase Utley also filled out the competition.

Which is your favorite Twins Home Run Derby performance of all time?

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[Brock Beauchamp]

Testing comments.

[ashbury]

6 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Testing comments.

But, to address the topic, was Harmon Killebrew never a meaningful participant as a Twin?  I mean, there was the TV show "Home Run Derby" back in the 1950s, but Harmon was a Senator then.  Otherwise, those should have counted.

[Danchat]

Sano's showing was pretty good, he just ran into a buzzsaw in Judge. I remember Dozier's being rather embarrassing, it had seemed like he hadn't practiced with his pitcher.

[Al from SoDak]

I actually attended the 1985 event. It was a free, low-key afternoon event. My Dad heard about it on the radio on his drive to work. He called from work saying if I could find a friend to go with he would drive us there over his lunch hour. It was explained (I won't say advertised) as a practice session for the All-Stars. I would say the dome was less than half full. The home run contest was at the end and seemed like an afterthought. My recollection is that inside the park they promoted it as an AL vs NL battle. So while Dave Parker hit the most home runs, the AL won the event behind Brunansky hitting his dingers as the last participant, like the bottom of the 9th, except I think they played two "innings." Each batter getting up twice.

A fun free event in 1985. Now I wouldn't want to pay the ticket price.