VIDEO: Reliving Sammy Sosa's Absolutely Monstrous 2002 Home Run Derby Performance
By Evan Wolff
Sammy Sosa became one of the premier sluggers in MLB history during his time in the game, amassing over 600 home runs in his career. His power at the plate was a sight to behold, and in 2002, he got a chance to showcase his abilities with a bat at the Home Run Derby in Milwaukee. In one of the most powerful performances in Derby history, Slammin' Sammy destroyed baseball after baseball in a spectacle that will leave viewers in awe even today.
Sosa was a threat to U.S. air space that night pic.twitter.com/L6as4SO53B
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) April 3, 2020
The way baseballs jumped off the Cubs slugger's bat was fascinating to watch. Sections of the stadium that were previously unexplored by batters were suddenly claimed.
As one of the home runs landed 520 feet away from home plate, one television commentators put it perfectly: "I wish I could know what it feels like to do that."
hitting a ball above the scoreboard dead center at Miller Park is absurd.
— worst chase scenario (@worst_chase) April 3, 2020
steroids or not, that was Russell Branyan and Richie Sexson territory.
The craziest part was that Sosa didn't even win the event, as that honor went to Jason Giambi in the final. However, it can not be denied the awesome power that Sosa showcased that night made for one of the most memorable Home Run Derby performances in memory.