Classic Home Run Derby

WCTYSON · Nov 9, 2014

I used to love watching these as a kid after school on ESPN. Being able to see the swing of some of the greats of the game was always exciting. Anybody else used to watch this program? If MLB were to bring this back in the same format, I would watch today's players go head-to-head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpp9aLTi9PU&list=UUZ8dzRkHwSbbcXOorWr4W3w

MrMet · Nov 9, 2014

Loved seeing these! Players you only heard stories about suddenly were on classic ESPN hitting homeruns and talking with the host. Awesomeness

WCTYSON · Nov 9, 2014

Here are a couple of all-time great teammates going head-to-head. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxD7dPYv3ro&list=UUZ8dzRkHwSbbcXOorWr4W3w

moxacaine · Nov 9, 2014

some of the interactions between the announcer and the players is so awkward. lol

WCTYSON · Nov 9, 2014

Got to have some Killebrew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XVOuzPNV2c

goobmcnasty · Nov 10, 2014

It's really cool that this was on some random sandlot-like field, hitting home runs into someone's backyard. ESPN classic used to air these a lot. Love it.

WCTYSON · Nov 10, 2014

Hosted by Mark Scott, each episode of "Derby" is a half-hour, nine-inning home-run hitting contest, staged at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles(which was, at the time of filming, a minor-league ballpark; but it soon became the home of the American League Los Angeles Angels, when the league expanded in 1961).

AmishDave · Nov 10, 2014

Absolutely LOVED that show. Wish they'd bring it back and then start up a new one. One who doesn't have the net or doesn't really care for, let's use as an example, Josh Hamilton, can get to know him during the competition.

WCTYSON · Nov 10, 2014

AmishDave said:
Absolutely LOVED that show. Wish they'd bring it back and then start up a new one. One who doesn't have the net or doesn't really care for, let's use as an example, Josh Hamilton, can get to know him during the competition.

Who would be your first head-to-head match, to get the series jump-started? I would do Stanton vs. M. Cabrera with Stanton for the victory.

AmishDave · Nov 10, 2014

Stanton vs. Cespedes for the first show. Abreu vs. Rizzo in a battle of Chitown in the 2nd. And a 'watch these guys now, remember them down the road' matchup between Kennys Vargas vs. George Springer (since the whole country doesn't prospect).

WCTYSON · Nov 10, 2014

AmishDave said:
Stanton vs. Cespedes for the first show. Abreu vs. Rizzo in a battle of Chitown in the 2nd. And a 'watch these guys now, remember them down the road' matchup between Kennys Vargas vs. George Springer (since the whole country doesn't prospect).

Done. I have my TV on and will be waiting in anticipation.

shephech2 · Nov 12, 2014

I was addicted to it! Love that somebody brought this up to refresh my memory

elmalo · Nov 13, 2014

I used to love watching that show!

mcgoo2 · Nov 14, 2014

Very cool to see. The most interesting part to me was seeing the players sit down and talk. Mantle and Mays looked so comfortable in front of the camera. For the 60's, Mantle was borderline eccentric. Mathews came off as a really nice guy too.

smapdi · Nov 14, 2014

I really liked that show, too, but it wasn't really compelling. It was weird how they did it with no spectators, and so much silence. Just 2 hitters, the Jack Webb-like commentator, and a semi-dark stadium. And the structure of the contest, back and forth, got surreal sometimes because after the 2nd or 3rd round they'd be like,"And there's another long drive by Mantle."
"Yeah, he really hit that one."
10 seconds of silence.
"Ooh he just missed that one."
"Yeah that was close."

MTV had a celebrity softball game back in 1992 or so, and had Griffey, Thomas, and a couple other young MLBers for a home run contest. I think Griffey won, but Thomas dented an aluminum bat against a ball. Something like that would be great.

smapdi · Nov 14, 2014

Oh, I just had an idea. Like Iron Chef, have a group of like 3 retired sluggers, like Adam Dunn, Jim Thome, and Reggie Jackson. Then 2 younger guys each challenges one of them and they have a 10-pitch slug-off. Then the 2 winners play against each other. Get Gary Cole, Jason Bateman, and the unchosen slugger to do commentary.

Man, I'm doing this. How do I become a TV producer?

WCTYSON · Nov 14, 2014

smapdi said:
Oh, I just had an idea. Like Iron Chef, have a group of like 3 retired sluggers, like Adam Dunn, Jim Thome, and Reggie Jackson. Then 2 younger guys each challenges one of them and they have a 10-pitch slug-off. Then the 2 winners play against each other. Get Gary Cole, Jason Bateman, and the unchosen slugger to do commentary.

Man, I'm doing this. How do I become a TV producer?

I like the head-to-head format personally. I agree though, maybe have a small crowd that could have a line of questions for the players when they are not at bat, there is some need to break up the silence. Something along the lines of personal bios of each of the participants would be a way for young fans and the likes to connect with the players.

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Classic Home Run Derby

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