AMERICAN LEAGUE OPENING ROUND
Garret Anderson, Homer: 7, longest: 402 ft.
The Anaheim Angel gets off to a hot start, cranking out three homers in the first four pitches.
Strategy: “Jump as high as I could and keep my beer in my hand without spilling.” Homer: 3
–Jeff Degeylio, 22, Glenwood
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Carlos Delgado, Homer: 2, longest: 434 ft.
The Toronto Blue Jay struggles early and never really recovers or establishes a rhythm.
Strategy: “I watched the ball bounce, and I went after it and I got it. No glove–that’s not how the game’s played out here.” Homer: 2
–Ryen Sjostrom, 23, Canaryville
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Bret Boone, Homer: 0, longest: N.A.
Let’s be blunt: The Seattle Mariner struggles. In fact, he swings and misses at a pitch.
Strategy: The crowd is still waiting for Boone to hit a home run. They’re going to be there awhile.
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Jason Giambi, Homer: 12, longest: 446 ft.
Finally, the fans get a show–and the New York Yankee waits five outs for his first longball.
Strategy: “It was between me and a thousand of my friends here. It was floating around. . . . I saw it and I grabbed the ball.” Homer: 12
–Jack Hughes, 51, West Lawn Park
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NATIONAL LEAGUE OPENING ROUND
Gary Sheffield, Homer: 4, longest: 413 ft.
After a quick five outs, the Atlanta Brave finds his HR stroke with some help from the crowd.
Strategy: “Stick the mitt up and get lucky.” Homer: 2
–Dan Thomas, 14, Chicago
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Albert Pujols, Homer: 4, longest: 443 ft.
After a brief flurry early, the St. Louis Cardinal goes cold. Maybe he was saving himself.
Strategy: “It hit my hand, bounced around a little bit and I got it again. I just tried to get it.” Homer: 2
–Kerry Mincon, 34, Schereville, Ind.
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Richie Sexson, Homer: 1, longest: 383 ft.
The Milwaukee Brewer never hits his stride, consistently pounding balls into the ground.
Strategy: “I just jumped and caught it. I just wanted the ball.” Homer: 1
–Ricky Paulson, 15, Munster, Ind.
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Jim Edmonds, Homer: 4, longest: 441 ft.
With two late homers, the St. Louis Cardinal (yeah, another one) ekes out a tie to advance.
Strategy: “I waited for somebody else to deflect it to me. It was four rows behind me and he knocked it down. It came right to me.” Homer: 1
–Kerry Pikal, 41, Beecher, Ill.
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SEMIFINAL ROUND
Jim Edmonds, Homer: 4, longest: 426 ft.
After an early barrage, Edmonds tires, recording nine straight outs.
Strategy: “I went to get something to eat and when I came back, it pretty much fell into my hands. I just saw it and grabbed it.” Homer: 2
–Jason Royal, 26, South Side
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Albert Pujols, Homer: 14, longest: 478 ft.
Pujols ties a Derby record with his round, at one point slamming six in a row.
Strategy: “Balancing on the chair, just trying to leap over and grab it. I got lucky it went in.” Homer: 7
–Nick Simmons, 19, Lockport
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Garret Anderson, Homer: 6, longest: 420 ft.
The Angel eliminates Edmonds, his former teammate, with a strong second round.
Strategy: “It was Cal’s idea to bring the net.” Homer: 1
–Rick and Cal Coughlin, 43 and 51 1/42, Lake Forest
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Jason Giambi, Homer: 11, longest: 431 ft.
Giambi rips six in a row to make it interesting, but Pujols’ total
is too daunting.
Strategy: “Having those guys hold his net down and timing the jump.” Homer: 4
–Art Campos, 36, Hoboken, N.J. Art was sitting two rows behind Rick Coughlin, the guy with the net.
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FINAL ROUND
Garret Anderson, Homer: 9, longest: 411 ft.
The smooth-swinging Anderson shows no signs of fatigue–and shades of Ken Griffey Jr.
Strategy: “It rolled at me. Honestly, it hit off the back wall and it rolled toward me.
So I grabbed it.” Homer: 5
–Mary Ann Carroll, 38, Neptune, N.J.
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Albert Pujols, Homer: 8, longest: 446 ft.
In one of the most exciting finishes in Derby history, Pujols just misses tying on his last swing.
Strategy: “I was just trying to fight everybody off to get it. It bounced off somebody’s hand and hit me in the chest. I grabbed it.” Homer: 4
–Joe Schimmel, 34, Olympia Fields
