Petco Park isn’t an easy place to hit balls out, but Stanton didn’t care.
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Thirty-nine of Stanton’s shots topped 440 feet.
Giancarlo Stanton produced an awesome display of power hitting to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night – a performance that caused a sheepish Miami Marlins organization to renege on a ticket offer linked to his hitting heroics. “I’ve got a lot of family here, a lot of friends here, so it’s a good time for me”, he said.
Since it first opened in 2002, Petco has historically ranked at or near the bottom of the park factor ratings in scoring, home runs or both.
The 26-year old California native is no stranger to the long ball. That’s where you built it up, childhood memories of. “Maybe some kids are watching me. I like to return the favor”.
When the Giants’ Bumgarner and other pitchers expressed interest in participating in this year’s Derby – an idea that was “nixed”, according to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, because the union didn’t want a slot taken by a pitcher – MLBPA and Major League Baseball officials talked about how to incorporate pitchers into Monday’s highlight event, Clark said.
Stanton is easily one of the most feared hitters in the game, and despite not making the All-Star team for the first time since 2013, he found a way to make his presence known.
And by the way, in home runs that actually counted in games, Trumbo still leads Stanton, 28-20.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Home Run Derby victory broke records.
What are the odds that Stanton parachutes into the Derby to dominate every year, whether he’s an All-Star or not?
“Depends how the year’s going, depends where it is”, he said. “Next year it’s at home (in Miami) so there’s a pretty good chance”.
The first round started off smoking with Dodgers rookie and No. 8 seed Corey Seager (17) setting the bar high with 15 homers.
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Major League home run leader Mark Trumbo and Padres hometown favorite Wil Myers were among those challenging defending champion Todd Frazier. He sprayed a series of line drives around right field – some fair, some foul. He flew to San Diego simply for the Derby, saying after the fact, “So I figured it’s a waste of time if I don’t bring this bad boy home”, referencing the trophy.
