The 2009 Home Run Derby Starts 4/5/2009 - www.letsgodeep.com

Home Run Statistics For MLB Ballparks - 2008 Season  

You’ve all heard the terms and know what they mean, but I’m here to show you what it means when a player calls a “pitchers park” home vs. taking most of their cuts in a “hitters park”.

Below you’ll find the rankings based on how many balls flew out of each field last year and I’ve also included the HR hit per game.

*Please note that the New York Yankees moves into their new stadium this year.

 

American League Ballparks

 

Team Name & Ballpark Name

 

1) Chicago White Sox U.S. Cellular Field 2.76 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ The Cell In 2008: Thome, Jim 468 Ft. On 06/04/08

2) Baltimore Orioles Oriole Park at Camden Yards 2.55 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Camden In 2008: Giambi, Jason 450 Ft. On 05/28/08

 

3) Texas Rangers Ameriquest Field 2.52 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Ameriquest In 2008: Hamilton, Josh 468 Ft. On 05/12/08

 

4) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels Stadium 1.90 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Angels Stadium In 2008: Rodriguez, Alex 466 Ft. On 08/09/08

 

5) New York Yankees Yankee Stadium 1.98 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Yankees Stadium In 2008: Rodriguez, Alex 469 Ft. On 06/30/08 Note: The New York Yankees will be playing in their new stadium in 2009!

 

6) Cleveland Indians Jacobs Field 1.90 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Jacobs In 2008: Cabrera, Miguel 440 Ft. On 09/19/08

 

7) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels Stadium 1.90 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Angels Stadium In 2008: Rodriguez, Alex 466 Ft. On 08/09/08

 

8) Tampa Bay Devil Rays Tropicana Field 1.90 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recoded @ Tropicana In 2008: Gross, Gabe 466 Ft. On 08/06/08

 

9) Boston Red Sox Fenway Park 1.81 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Fenway In 2008: Drew, J.D. 460 Ft. On 07/26/08

 

10) Minnesota Twins Metrodome 1.70 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ The Metrodome In 2008: Thames, Marcus 454 Ft. On 09/05/08

 

11) Seattle Mariners Safeco Field 1.67 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Safeco In 2008: Napoli, Mike 441 Ft. On 09/23/08

 

12) Oakland Athletics McAfee Coliseum 1.54 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ McAfee In 2008: Pena, Carlos 451 Ft. On 08/13/08

13) Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre 1.54 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Rogers Centre In 2008: Wilkerson, Brad 447 Ft. On  05/20/08

 

14) Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium 1.52 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Kauffman In 2008: Dye, Jermaine 466 Ft. On 07/10/08

 

 

National League Ballparks

 

Team Name & Ballpark Name

 

1) Cincinnati Reds Great American Ball Park 2.64 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ The GAB: Dunn, Adam 465 Ft. On 05/05/08

 

2) Houston Astros Minute Maid Park 2.39 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Hit @ Minute Maid In 2008: Berkman, Lance 472 Ft. On 06/08/08

 

3) Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park 2.33 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Citizens In 2008: Ludwick, Ryan 449 Ft. On 07/08/08

 

4) Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 2.30 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Wrigley In 2008: Dunn, Adam 485 Ft. On 07/10/08

 

5) Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park 2.21 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Miller In 2008: Branyan, Russell 460 Ft. On 05/31/08

 

6) Colorado Rockies Coors Field 2.15 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Coors In 2008: Hawpe, Brad 482 Ft. On 06/30/08

 

7) New York Mets Shea Stadium 2.15 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Shea In 2008: Betemit, Wilson 465 Ft. On 06/29/08

 

8) Florida Marlins Dolphins Stadium 2.10 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Dolphins In 2008: Weeks, Rickie 459 Ft. On 05/07/08

 

9) St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium 1.99 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Busch In 2008: Votto, Joey 452 Ft. On 09/28/08

 

10) Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park 1.88 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ PNC In 2008: LaRoche, Adam 440 Ft. On 09/17/08

 

11) Washington Nationals Nationals Park 1.85 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Nationals In 2008: Howard, Ryan 445 Ft. On 05/21/08

 

12) Atlanta Braves Turner Field 1.78 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Turner In 2008: Ramirez, Hanley 449 Ft. 06/04/08

 

13) San Diego Padres PETCO Park 1.68 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Petco In 2008: Morneau, Justin 444 Ft. On 06/26/08

 

14) Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium 1.48 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ Dodger In 2008: Ludwick, Ryan 441 Ft. On 05/23/08

 

15) San Francisco Giants AT&T Park 1.48 Home Runs Per Game

Longest Home Run Recorded @ AT&T In 2008: Thames, Marcus 455 Ft. On 06/17/08

 

Best Park:

U.S. Cellular Field is clearly the place that you want your players to call “home”.  Hitters from around the league can’t wait to play at “The Cell” because it's no bigger than a child's sandbox!

Worst Park:

On the opposite side of the spectrum, you can see that it’s difficult for hitters to pad their stats in San Francisco’s AT&T Park.  AT&T Park ranks dead last in Home Runs per game because weather conditions can be tough (windy) & the Giants roster has less power than "The Great Blackout" Of 1965.

Best Change Of Address: Mark “Big Tex” Teixiera

 

Most people thought Big Tex’s power numbers would take a major hit when he was traded to Atlanta midway through the season in 2008, but he proved to all of us that he could hit the big fly in any stadium by pounding out 33 home runs last season. The Yankees porches in both corners of their new stadium are shorter than most high school ballparks (318 In Left Field & 314 In Right Field) and that type of distance will make it much easier for Big Tex to clear the fences in 09. Not too mention that he will be well protected in a lineup that possesses other Bronx Bombers that can hit for both power & average like superstar Alex Rodriguez & Xavier Nady. Expect Teixiera to hit anywhere from 35 to 40 home runs inhis first season with the Yankees!

Worst Change Of Address: “Mad” Milton Bradley

 

The volatile veteran outfielder’s change of address from humid Texas to Chicago’s Windy City will take a big toll on his numbers. Milton was a beast in 2008 by hitting 22 home runs with a slugging percentage of .563. Milton’s a high risk/ high reward pick in this year’s Home Run Derby because there are so many challenges he’s going to have to face during his first year with the Cubbies. Expect Bradley to hit anywhere from 15 to 20 home runs at most this season!

 

April & May are notoriously cold months in Chicago, the Wrigley faithful are known to “pressure cook” anyone on the team that’s performing below expectations and the Chicago media will be all over him regarding his past instances with teammates, fans & umpires during his tenure in the league.

 

I absolutely love “Mad” Milton’s passion, his hunger to win and that he plays as hard as any player that has ever played the game. What I don’t like is that he’s playing in a hostile environment with fans that are more desperate for a championship than Bernie Madoff is for a pardon for wolfing Wall Street out of $50 billion. The Wrigley Boo Birds will be out in full force if he tanks & that type of negative response could turn this pit bull against his owners at some point in the season. In short….proceed with caution!

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What was meant to be a one-time event has turned into a celebration for the midway point of the long baseball season.  The All-Star Break has become a way to thank the fans and put on a show, while still having something at stake.

The All-Star Game has developed into an important event since the debacle in 2002 when the teams ended in a tie and sent thousands of fans home unhappy.

For the past five years, the winning team has secured home field advantage for its league in the World Series.  The American League has won all 5 years and 10 straight, not counting the aforementioned tie.

With this incentive being added to the game, some players have more to play for than others.  Generally the players voted into the game are part of a winning ball club, but that’s not always the case. Starting AL 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez stands a good chance to play in the World Series and likely teammate Ichiro Suzuki is on the worst team in the league.

That being said, the teams that stand to benefit the most from an All-Star Game win are the Rays, Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox, Twins, Angels, Phillies, Marlins, Cubs, Diamondbacks and Cardinals.  Each team is leading or in contention for the division crown.  It’s easy to pick out a couple of teams that are the favorites to represent their respective leagues in the World Series, therefore giving them an even greater interest in the game’s outcome.  I am, of course, talking about the Twins and the Cubs.

The All American Homerun Derby will have a long list of sluggers on hand to represent www.letsgodeep.com.  

The National League projected starters from our pool are Lance Berkman, Chase Utley, Chipper Jones, Alfonso Soriano and Ken Griffey Jr.  Kosuke Fukudome currently has a narrow lead over Ryan Braun for the 3rd outfield spot.  They will both start if Soriano is unable to play.  Hanley Ramirez also holds a slim advantage over Miguel Tejada for the starting shortstop role.

The American League projected starters are Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and Josh Hamilton.  Ian Kinsler is currently 2nd in voting behind Dustin Pedroia, but gaining fast.  It also appears that Jim Thome will start at DH by default with David Ortiz and Hideki Matsui both injured.

The consigliere’s prediction is that the streak stops in New York.  The American League suffers a big loss with David Ortiz out and the fans seem more content to vote in Yankees and Red Sox players than voting in the best players available.  Unless there is a change in the voting over the final 2 days, the American League will need clutch hitting and a flawless game by their manager because the National League appears that they’re going to field an offensive juggernaut.

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Take it Deep: www.letsgodeep.com

<table class="contentpaneopen"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">On Monday July 14th, Major League Baseball will display 8 of the best sluggers in the game today in what promises to be one of the most exciting moments of the 2008 season.

Yankee Stadium will act as host for the 23rd installment of the event that has turned into a huge fan favorite.  

The Home Run Derby hasn’t always been known for the excitement that it produces today.  In fact, the event wasn’t even televised nationally until 1993 when ESPN carried it on tape delay.  It was first televised live in 1998 and the popularity has been on the rise ever since.

The format has changed several times over the years with the AL and NL each fielding 2,3,4 or 5 players.  It has even been AL vs. NL and country vs. country.  No matter how the format changes, it’s the number and distance of the homeruns that keeps the fans wanting more.

In 1985, Dave Parker was crowned as the champion after hitting 6 homeruns.  In 2005, Bobby Abreu hit 24 homeruns…in the first round!  He ended with a record 41 homeruns.  With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why people crowd the ballpark and gather around their TVs to witness this event every year.

Ken Griffey Jr. has all-time Home Run Derby bragging rights as he’s won the event 3 times.  Sammy Sosa is a 2-time champion.  No one else has ever won more than once.

Vladimir Guerrero is hoping to have a chance to join Sosa with 2 wins and also defend his title from last year.  Guerrero hasn’t been confirmed as a participant yet, but we do have 5 of the 8 players confirmed at this point.  

Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros, Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians, Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins and Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Philles have agreed to take part in the festivities.

Chase Utley has a chance to bring the hardware back to Philly for the 3rd time in 4 years, as Bobby Abreu won in 2005 and Ryan Howard won in 2006.
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We’re only 8 days away from another HR Derby winner and this has become a 3-team race.  

AllorNothin, Dilldocks and #1Philsfan have all surged to the front with 251 HR each.  Our 4th place team is whoppers with 238 homeruns.  Rounding out the Top 5 is Mr. Papa Georgio with 237 homeruns.

1 player with 24 homeruns
2 players with 23 homeruns
3 players with 22 homeruns
3 players with 21 homeruns
1 player with 20 homeruns
3 players with 19 homeruns
3 players with 18 homeruns
2 players with 17 homeruns
7 players with 16 homeruns
7 players with 15 homeruns
4 players with 14 homeruns
6 players with 13 homeruns
9 players with 12 homeruns
2 players with 11 homeruns
8 players with 10 homeruns
3 players with 9 homeruns
7 players with 8 homeruns
4 players with 7 homeruns
7 players with 6 homeruns
1 player with 5 homeruns
2 players with 4 homeruns
3 players with 3 homeruns
3 players with 2 homeruns
3 players have failed to go deep

Our HR leader is once again…Chase Utley.  Utley’s 24 HR leads Dan Uggla and Ryan Howard by just 1 homerun.  Lance Berkman, Grady Sizemore and Adrian Gonzalez are all 2 off the leader’s pace, while Hanley Ramirez, Adam Dunn and Pat Burrell are 3 back.  Ryan Braun(20 HR) is the last player with at least 20 homeruns.

We have 15 players with a HR total between 16 and 19.  Josh Hamilton and Jermaine Dye each have 19.  Teammates Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel each have 18.  Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones are the only players with 17.

There are 26 players in the 12-15 HR group.  Rookie Evan Longoria leads the way with 15 homeruns.  Middle infielders Brandon Phillips and Ian Kinsler each have 14 HR.  Injured sluggers David Ortiz(13 HR) and Magglio Ordonez(12 HR) hope to add to their totals soon.

Twenty players have between 8 and 11 homeruns.  Richie Sexson(10 HR) and Jeff Francouer(8 HR) continue to struggle at the plate, while Paul Konerko( 8 HR) and Ryan Zimmerman(8 HR) struggle to get back on the field.

There are 23 players that have disappointed their owners with their lack of power and have 7 or less homeruns.  14 of those players have missed several games due to injury.  Kosuke Fukudome(7 HR) is starting to show some pop, Jay Bruce(6 HR) has cooled off a bit and Delmon Young(3 HR) has started to show a little life