Top 4 all-time Texas Rangers Home Run Derby performances

1 of 3

The Home Run Derby has been a fan favorite of the All-Star week since it began in 1985. Throughout the years there have been a number of Texas Rangers' players that have participated in the event. This year, Adolis Garcia will look to slug his way into the history books. You can follow his quest live, Monday evening, at 7 CT on ESPN.

Texas Rangers have had a participant in the Home Run Derby for three years in a row

Garcia will be the third different Rangers' bomber to try his hand at the HR Derby in the last three years. In 2021 Joey Gallo participated and barely went out in the first round at the hands of the then Colorado Rockies shortstop, Trevor Story at Coors Field. Last season's event saw Corey Seager hit the second most home runs in the first round at 24, but he was paired up against Julio Rodriguez who mashed 32. Rodriguez would go on to dual Juan Soto in the finals, only to come up one home run short and finish as the runner-up.

Some notable names have worn a Texas Rangers uniform and hit in the HR Derby. Those that have participated but don't make the top four all-time performances include Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Hank Blalock, Alex Rodriguez, and Pudge Rodriguez. The Rangers are tied for eighth place in MLB with two past champions of the event. Garcia will look to move them into a tie for second next Monday night. The New York Yankees are the only team with four titles.

The format of the contest has changed numerous times over the years. From the number of participants, to the number of rounds, to a bracketed format, a time limit, to gold balls worth double; it is impossible to compare apples to apples across most of the years.

Sometimes the best performance might not have led to great results or a win, and in others, simply hitting one more than the competition was all that was needed to take the top prize. And speaking of prizes. In the last few years, the winner of the HR Derby has received a $1 million check for their efforts. The total prize pool this year will be $2.5 million. Now that is a little extra incentive to participate and do well, no matter who you are.

Without further ado, let's dive into the top four all-time performances of Texas Rangers players at the Home Run Derby.

Next: #4 and #3 all-time Home Run Derby performances for the Texas Rangers

#4 Nelson Cruz - 2009

Nelson Cruz is one of two Rangers players to finish as runner-up in the Home Run Derby. He did so in 2009 when he was beaten out in the finals by the Milwaukee Brewers' Prince Fielder (who would become a Ranger before the 2014 season).

Cruz started the contest with 11 home runs in the first round. This effort tied Fielder for the most to open the competition. He had the least of the four hitters in the second round with five bombs, but his cumulative total from rounds one and two were just enough to land him in the finals.

Fielder would best Cruz by one in the finals, six home runs to five. It was a valiant effort by Cruz and one that allowed him to be part of this historical Texas Rangers list. It is ironic that this HR Derby took place in St. Louis, at Busch Stadium. One of Nelly's top Rangers moments took place in the stadium that two years later would play host to a moment Rangers fans will perhaps never quite forget.

#3 Ruben Sierra - 1989

The 1989 edition of the HR Derby was held at Anaheim Stadium and included an evenly matched four American League hitters versus four National League players. There was just one round, and the person with the most home runs would be the winner.

This season was a repeat of the 1986 version, as there was a tie atop the leaderboard. In 1986, Wally Joyner and Darryl Strawberry tied with four home runs. In 1989, Texas Rangers outfielder, Ruben Sierra and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Eric Davis both belted three home runs a piece. The way the event was handled back then, there was no playoff, and thus Sierra and Davis were both declared the winners.

Sierra was a talented player that was fun to watch. He played his first six and a half seasons with the Rangers before bouncing around with several different clubs. He played parts of three additional seasons for Texas later on in his career as well.

His top home run season was in 1987 when at the age of 21, he crushed 30 dingers. Sierra's best overall season came in 1989, the same year that he won the HR Derby. That season he finished second in the AL MVP race behind Robin Yount and just ahead of Cal Ripken Jr. Sierra was keeping some pretty solid company back in the day.

Next: #2 and #1 all-time Home Run Derby performances for the Texas Rangers

#2 Josh Hamilton - 2008

Arguably one of the most iconic Home Run Derby performances of all time, came from Josh Hamilton in 2008. It was the last year of the old Yankee Stadium and boy did Hambone send it out in style as he absolutely put on a show for the ages.

In the first round, Hamilton's seven competitors hit anywhere from three to eight homers. He hit eight himself, but also added twenty additional big flies, finishing the round with an astonishing 28 home runs. Highlighting the remarkable first round for Hamilton, was a stretch of 13 straight swings that resulted in homers. It was laughable how amazing the performance was.

Unfortunately, Hamilton ran out of gas after that opening round salvo. He hit four homers in the second round before stopping with only four outs to advance to the finals, where he would take on Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins. Morneau would best Hamilton in the finals, 5 to 3, but Josh was the story line and the guy everyone remembers from that night. Winning doesn't always mean finishing on top, and for Hamilton, he won the night despite taking second place.

#1 Juan Gonzalez - 1993

As with every year, the 1993 HR Derby field was stacked. Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Cecil Fielder, Bobby Bonilla, Albert Belle, David Justice, and Mike Piazza were the competitors that 23-year-old Juan Gonzalez had to go toe to toe with at Camden Yards.

The youngster didn't blink and blasted seven bombs which tied Griffey Jr. for tops in the contest. The two athletes would then square off in a playoff. The playoff format had Griffey Jr. hitting first, and each player would get five outs. Junior started the overtime by hitting four bombs, but Gonzalez was not phased as he again matched The Kid with four of his own.

The two outfielders would then go to a double overtime, this time they were only allowed three outs. Gonzalez would hit first in this clash and was able to hit one out before recording his three outs. That one home run would prove to be just enough, as Griffey Jr. was unable to hit any over the fence. With the victory, Gonzalez became the youngest player to win the HR Derby. That record was challenged last season by Juan Soto who was also 23 years old when he won, but Gonzalez was one day younger than Soto and still holds the title of youngest HR Derby champion.

Home / Texas Rangers History