There has been a report that in 2024 there is a chance that they may have a Legend’s Home Run Derby. Four former Big League stars have expressed interest in taking part in the event in David Ortiz, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr, and Jim Thome. That is a good group to start with when entertaining the idea of this event. Some other names that should or could be considered are Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Thomas, and Manny Ramirez. All of those names are in the top 20 for most home runs of all time.
The 11 Potential Participants
David Ortiz
Ortiz is currently 47 years old and retired following the 2016 season. He played for the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox over his 20-year career. He hit a total of 541 home runs in his career and ranks 17th all-time.
Albert Pujols
Pujols is currently 43 years old, and he retired at the end of last season. He in his career has played for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Los Angeles Dodgers over a 22-year career. Pujols has hit 703 homes in his career and ranks fourth all-time.
Ken Griffey Jr.
Griffey is 53 years old, and he retired following the 2010 season. He played for the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox over his 22-year career. Griffey hit 630 home runs in his career, which ranks him sixth all-time. If Griffey was able to stay healthy during his time with the Reds, he may have broken the home run record.
Jim Thome
Thome is 52 years old right now, and his final season in the league was following the 2012 season. He played in the league for 22 years, and he played for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Baltimore Orioles. He hit 612 home runs of his career which ranks him eighth all-time.
Barry Bonds
Bonds is currently 58 years old, and he retired after the 2007 season. He played for 22 seasons, spending his career with just two teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. Bonds has the record for the most home runs all time with 762.
Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez is currently 47 years old, and his final season was 2016; he played for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees during his 22-year career. Rodriguez hit 696 home runs which put him at fourth most all-time.
Sammy Sosa
Sosa is 54 years old, and he retired at the end of the 2007 season. He played for 18 seasons playing for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles. Sosa hit 609 home runs in his career, and he sits ninth all-time.
Mark McGwire
McGwire is 59 and had baseball fans tuned in during the 1998 season as he and Sosa chased the record for most home runs in a season; he would retire after 16 seasons in 2001. He played for the Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals, and he would hit 583 career home runs which is 11th all-time.
Rafael Palmeiro
Palmeiro is 58 years old and spent 20 years in the Majors retiring following the 2005 season. He played for three teams over his career, playing for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles. Palmeiro hit 569 home runs to sit 13th all-time.
Frank Thomas
Thomas nicknamed the Big Hurt, is 55 years old and spent 19 seasons in the MLB. He retired after the 2008 season, and he played for the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland A’s. Thomas hit 521 home runs in his career, which puts him tied for 20th all-time.
Manny Ramirez
Ramirez is 51 years old, and he retired from Major League Baseball following the 2011 season but had been playing in other leagues around the world. In the MLB, he played for 19 seasons playing for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. He hit 555 home runs in his career, which puts him at 15th all-time.
Wrap Up
What do you think? Is this a good idea for Major League Baseball? Who would you like to see take part in this? I, for one, as a 90’s baby, love the idea of this event and getting to see the players I group up idolizing and watch play go out there and take part in a home run derby and put on a show for us, the fans.
