Anticipation Builds for the 2024 Home Run Derby in Arlington
Baseball fans are eagerly counting down the days until the 2024 Home Run Derby, which is set to electrify Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, July 15. The event, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET, promises an evening of thrilling slugging action as some of baseball’s biggest power hitters converge in the Lone Star State.
Globe Life Field, the state-of-the-art home of the Texas Rangers, will provide the backdrop for this annual spectacle. This year’s format will see all eight participants competing in a marathon first round where each will have three minutes or 40 pitches, whichever comes first, to send as many balls over the fence as possible. Each contestant will also get a single timeout to catch their breath and strategize.
The competition is fierce, and only the top four performers from the first round will advance. In the event of a tie, it will be the longest home run hit that determines who progresses. Adding to the drama, each player receives three bonus outs after the initial three minutes or 40 pitches, and they can even earn a fourth bonus out for hitting a home run that travels at least 425 feet during the bonus time.
The derby then shifts to head-to-head matchups in the semifinals, ratcheting up the intensity as the remaining participants battle for a coveted spot in the final round. The championship round will see players limited to two minutes or 27 pitches, and the slugger with the most home runs will emerge victorious.
Among the confirmed lineup, fans are thrilled to see Gunnar Henderson, who was the first to throw his hat in the ring on June 30. Alex Bohm joined the roster a few days later on July 5, adding his name to the lineup of formidable hitters.
One of the most anticipated participants is Pete Alonso, making his fifth appearance in the event. The New York Mets' first baseman is no stranger to the Home Run Derby, having clinched victories in 2019 and 2021. Alonso, a perennial fan favorite, will also make his fourth career All-Star Game appearance this year, solidifying his status as one of the game's premier power hitters.
Not all the sport’s heavy hitters will be participating this year, though. Aaron Judge, who last took part in the 2017 Derby and won the title, has opted out of the 2024 event. Similarly, Yordan Alvarez and Juan Soto have both decided to sit this one out. Soto, the 2022 Home Run Derby champion, succinctly explained his absence: "No, not this year."
Another notable absence will be Shohei Ohtani. The two-way sensation for the Los Angeles Angels initially piqued fans' hopes by expressing interest. However, Ohtani, who is in the midst of recovering from elbow surgery performed in September 2023, later clarified his position: "I'm in the middle of my rehab progression, so it's not going to look like I'll be participating."
Teoscar Hernández has shown an interest in joining the Derby, potentially adding another layer of excitement and competition to an already star-studded event.
As the day of the Derby draws closer, the anticipation is building not just for the high-flying homers but for the stories each player will bring to the plate. Baseball’s biggest sluggers will be ready to showcase their power, aiming for the fences and for a place in Home Run Derby lore. With a mixture of seasoned titans and emerging stars, the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field promises to be a night to remember.