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MLB Home Run Derby 2019: A history of the Minnesota Twins in the Home Run Derby

By Chris Schad

NEW YORK - JULY 14: Justin Morneau #33 bats during the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JULY 14: Justin Morneau #33 bats during the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Third baseman Gary Gaetti of the Minnesota Twins at bat during a game.
Third baseman Gary Gaetti of the Minnesota Twins at bat during a game. /

1989: Gary Gaetti

Four years after Brunansky took his hacks for the Twins, Gary Gaetti decided to follow in his footsteps, taking part in the 1989 Home Run Derby at Angel Stadium in Los Angeles. In the first televised derby since the TV show hit the airwaves, Gaetti seemed to be a great choice to represent the Twins with 93 HRs between 1986 and 1988.

Despite steady power that would eventually produce 360 career home runs, Gaetti got stage fright in front of the camera, failing to hit a single ball over the fence. While the shutout had to be embarrassing for the Twins’ third baseman, it was a weak derby overall as only 14 balls were hit between the eight-man field.

In the end, the derby produced a tie at the top as Cincinnati’s Eric Davis and Texas’ Ruben Sierra would lead the field with three bombs each.

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