Maybe the classic baseball show Home Run Derby was before its time. It pitted two sluggers head-to-head in an empty stadium and put big money (for the time) up for grabs. Here’s a look back at an episode that featured Harmon Killebrew and Willie Mays.These episodes were recorded at a minor league stadium in Los Angeles during December of 1959 and aired in 1960. Killebrew was just 23-years-old at the time of this taping, and was coming off his first full season with the Senators. Killer clubbed 42 home runs that season, which was tied for the most in the American League and third-most in all of baseball.

 

I first encountered Home Run Derby show on ESPN Classic, but a YouTube channel named simply “Baseball” has preserved it for us to enjoy anytime we please.

from that channel that features nearly every episode of the series. Not only does Harmon make several appearances, but so too do his Senator teammates (and future Twins) Bob Allison and Jim Lemon.

 

Here's Killebrew vs. Mays on Home Run Derby:

 

 

The action essentially equates to watching batting practice, but there is some great, intimate footage of these Hall of Fame players. We get to see them close up and hear them answer a few questions while they watch their opponent hit. The editing is also really enjoyable. Here’s an example:

 

 

Along with both being enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Mays and Killebrew also both left their mark on baseball in Minnesota. Mays had a brief but sensational stay with the Minneapolis Millers in 1951 and, of course, Killebrew became Minnesota’s first major league superstar in 1961 after the Senators left Washington.

 

Could we possibly see a Home Run Derby revival in 2020? We know this: Trevor Bauer is organizing a "sandlot" game to be live streamed across his social channels. These are strange times, I wouldn't rule anything out.

 

 

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These episodes were recorded at a minor league stadium in Los Angeles during December of 1959 and aired in 1960.

The ivy suggests it was Wrigley Field, which was the name given to the PCL ballpark at the time.

Bauer has some interesting stuff. His YouTube channel. Seems very earnestly concerned about the hourly ballpark people getting paid, hence the sandlot game as a charitable event to support the hourly workers. Good work Trevor!

 

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. If you quantum lept 1959-era Mays and Killebrew to Camden Yards, gave them Sammy Sosa Home Run Derby bats and threw them Rob Manfred atomic baseballs they'd fare a little better. 

Wrigley Field in Los Angeles was 340 to LF with a 14.5 foot wall so wasn't a gimme for for right-handers. If you quantum lept 1959-era Mays and Killebrew to Camden Yards, gave them Sammy Sosa Home Run Derby bats and threw them Rob Manfred atomic baseballs they'd fare a little better. 

Try Minute Maid with a 315' poke to left. *grumble*

 

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. 

This stirs up some great childhood memories. Thanks.

Go Harmon.

This was great fun to watch. The host didn't really know how to engage the players when they were sitting next to him, which I found very amusing.

 

A: He hit that one hard, didn't he Willie?

W: Yes, he did.

A: That was an out in our game, but if it were a real game that would have been a double.

W: Yes, it would have.

Loved watching this show when it re-aired on ESPN Classic in the 90's.

 

A sad note about the show....The host, Mark Scott, died of a heart attack shortly after the lone season aired. The series was then cancelled rather than proceeding with a new host.

Loved watching these!