Free Republic

The date Jan. 9 is significant insofar as baseball is concerned because the objectively wonderful TV show "Home Run Derby" first took to (s)wing. In commemoration of this important day, let us take a look back at the first episode, which featured Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, who, as it turns out, were both good at baseball-related tasks and duties. Come with us, won't you?

In honor of last night’s Home Run Derby, watch two of the all-time greats go at it in an old school Home Run Derby. For those who don’t know about this style Home Run Derby, the rules are simple. Every pitch that was swung at was either a home run, or an out (exactly the same of modern Home Run Derby rules). Any pitch that was in the strike zone that was not swung at was also an out. Once you made three outs, it was the opponent’s turn. When both players took a turn it was considered an “inning.”...

Just days after Shannon Stone died from a fall while reaching for a baseball at a Texas Rangers game, a fan at last night’s Home Run Derby nearly fell out of the outfield stands while lunging for a home run ball hit by Prince Fielder. He was spared serious injury or death only because his friends grabbed him by his feet, held him and then pulled him back as he dangled over the railing above a concrete deck 20 feet below. That’s him to the right. His name is Keith Carmickle, and common sense is not his forte. His fall...