TwinsTube: Harmon Killebrew on Home Run Derby

I remember watching all these when they were airing on ESPN back in the 1990s. We'd watch them and then go play home run derby up at Kenny Park in South Minneapolis, alternating between the tennis courts and horseshoe pits as our field (depending on which was unoccupied).

In general, the thing that strikes me now re-watching them years later is how few home runs these guys actually hit compared to today's derby. The pitcher is clearly throwing BP speed pitches and guys top spin a ton of line drives. A lot of flat swings. The uppercut swing path was not really in favor. 

I watched them too... Loved seeing the stars. Loved when they would get interviewed and provide such corny responses. Loved that there were an ump. They were so fantastic. 

Wrigley Field in Los Angeles was 340 to LF with a 14.5 foot wall so wasn't a gimme for for right-handers.

 

In my opinion, the dimensions of the field in the original home run derby have nothing to do with the number of home runs during the show's airing.

If you watch the videos, there are far fewer towering fly balls that die at the track or hit off the wall and more liners and grounders. My working theory is that hitters in that era wanted to maintain their game swings which were flatter in nature during the contest rather than changing it for lift. More modern hitters implement swings with increased vertical bat angles so a transition to a contest that requires added lift would be easier for those hitters. 

Not to take away what Mr. Killebrew or Mr. Mays accomplished in their careers.