Fansided

5 most memorable Home Run Derby performances since 2000

By Ryan Morik

NEW YORK - JULY 14: Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers swings 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 Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JULY 14: Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers swings 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 Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 16: Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and National League celebrates in the finals after tying Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and National League during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 16: Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and National League celebrates in the finals after tying Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and National League during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. 90. 3. Washington Nationals. 2018 HR Derby. Bryce Harper

In his second Home Run Derby, Bryce Harper was the second-seed in front of his then-hometown fans at Nationals Park.

Harper took down both Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy by hitting 13 home runs in both the first round and semifinal round.

Kyle Schwarber had belted 18 home runs to open up the final round, leaving all the pressure on Harper in his home stadium.

Harper had nine home runs to go with less than 90 seconds left, including bonus time. He called a timeout to regroup, and boy did that pay off.

In his final 55 seconds of regular time, Harper ripped nine home runs to tie Schwarber.

Did his dad, his pitcher, follow the rules that he couldn’t pitch until the ball fell? Of course, not.

But who cares?

Had Bryce Harper’s jacked dad didn’t break the rules, we would not have been on the edge of our seats for that final minute.

And we wouldn’t have gotten one of the most memorable moments in the history of the Derby.

On his second swing of bonus time, Harper won the Derby, and gave us the jump-shot bat flip.

Nine home runs in less than a minute. There were five home runs in the entire 1990 Home Run Derby!

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