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Four things to know about Friday's MLB Home Run Derby X at Isotopes Park
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Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X is here. Isotopes Park, with Albuquerque’s thin, dry air making it a haven for home run hitters, was specially chosen to be one of four hosts of this year’s 3-on-3 team home run hitting contest that mixes former MLB stars with female sluggers and local participants in a fast-paced, fan-friendly home-run contest.
Here are four things to know before Friday’s big event:
So many Manny (jerseys)
The first 3,000 fans (ages 16 and older) through the gates at Friday’s HRDX event will receive a free adult Manny Ramirez/Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico themed jerseys.
Sprinkled in what appears to be a turquoise, floral pattern on a navy background are New Mexico- and Isotopes-related items such as baseballs, roadrunners, hot air balloons, chile peppers and the Mariachis logo.
Ramirez, the two-time World Series champion, had four plate appearances in Isotopes Park in 2009 (0-for-3 with a walk) while on an injury rehab assignment from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There may still be some questions about just how well the HRDX’s senior participant (Ramirez is 52) can still swing a bat, there is little doubt of one thing: Manny being Manny remains must-see entertainment.
Go Lobos?
Three UNM Lobo greats are competing in the event: La Cueva High graduate and UNM softball’s career home run queen Andrea Howard and current Lobo baseball player and St. Pius graduate Gene Trujillo will play for Team New Mexico Lobos, while former Lobo and Los Alamos High baseball star Jared Mang will be playing for team Green Chile Cheeseburgers.
What’s more? With the Lobo football season kicking off in University Stadium at 2 p.m. on Saturday against FCS power Montana State, there is a special deal for fans.
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For $20, fans get:
- One ticket to the “Howl Zone” section of Isotopes Park (sections 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118) for HRDX
- One ticket to Saturday’s Lobo football game
- One ticket to one of the 12 remaining Isotopes homes game this season.
What the heck is HRDX?
We know what baseball is. We know what a home run derby is. But what is a Home Run Derby X?
HRDX brings four teams of three hitters to a stadium. Two teams compete for 30 minutes (one team hitting, one team on defense), then the other two teams compete for half an hour, and then the winners face off in the championship.
Some things to know:
- Teams are comprised of one former MLB star, one female participant and one local hitter who qualified through a selection process that included an on-field try out.
- Each hitter has 2 minutes, 30 seconds to hit as many homers as they can.
- 1 point per homer, 1 point per defensive catch
- Bonus points: Hit a specially located “target” in the stadium with a ball and get a bonus point OR get two points per homer during a special five-swing “hot streak” period the batter can call for at any time during their turn.
- Hitters can tag in a teammate in the final minute of their turn.
The teams
Team 1 — Albuquerque Isotopes
Ian Desmond: A two-time MLB All-Star; three-time Silver Slugger winner; 181 career MLB home runs
- Teacher at Atrisco Heritage Academy High School; 1996 first round draft pick of the New York Mets; 197 career minor league home runs; 2003 and 2007 Triple-A Home Run Derby winner; 2003 Albuquerque Isotope
Team 2 — Green Chile Cheeseburgers
Jonny Gomes: A two-time World Series champion (Boston and Kansas City); 162 career MLB home runs
Team 3 — New Mexico Lobos
Ryan Zimmerman: A two-time MLB All-Star; 2019 World Series champion (Washington); two-time Silver Slugger winner; 284 career MLB home runs
Team 4 — Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico
Manny Ramirez: A two-time World Series champion with Boston; 12 time MLB All-Star; 555 career MLB home runs.
