It’s been an interesting week for Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras. First, there was the fight with the Washington Nationals that got him a seven game suspension initially (since he appealed, it’s been reduced to five games now). Then, he got named an All-Star reserve after initially being snubbed from the team. He also got hurt the other day with a foot contusion. But there was another notable event that happened; Contreras was invited to participate in the Home Run Derby, alongside players such as Bryce Harper and Junior Caminero. While he is the first player from Boston to participate in 15 years, he’s far from the first.
Willson Contreras has announced on his instagram that he will participate in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby! pic.twitter.com/WMnR22lSot
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 8, 2026
Red Sox in the Home Run Derby
Jim Rice (1985 Home Run Derby)
Prior to 1991, it was a way different format then it is currently. The main idea still stood; an out was a ball that didn’t go over the fence. But it was a two inning format, five outs for a batter meant the end of their inning. Also, while there could be a player that hits more home runs than everyone else, players were organized by leagues as opposed to who hit the most home runs in the first half.
Jim Rice had participated in the first ever Home Run Derby, having 15 homers in the first half. He hit on a team including fellow hall of farmers Carlton Fisk and Cal Ripken Jr., helping the AL win 17-16. Despite hitting four homers, he did not have the high, losing out to Dave Parker (six) in that regard.
Mo Vaughn (1995 Home Run Derby)
By 1995, the format had expanded to a three round format, with the two best hitters facing off in the finals, regardless of league. Boston slugger and former MVP Mo Vaughn would participate in the ‘95 contest, but would fall short of the final with 6 home runs (Frank Thomas would win with 15, despite Albert Belle having 16).
Mo Vaughn would have one great year overall in 1995, hitting .300 on the nose with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs. These statistics would help him cruise on his way towards the American League MVP. Like Vaughn in the Derby, the ‘95 Red Sox fell short in the playoff run, losing in the ALDS. But it was an eventful year for the slugger at first.
Nomar Garciaparra (1997, 1999 Home Run Derby)
Seen as one of the best hitters in Red Sox history (and one of the best shortstops at the turn of the century), Nomar Garciaparra also had his hand in the All-Star event. ‘97 was a disappointment, hitting zero homers for a rookie who would finish with 30 en route to winning Rookie of the Year. 1999 was slightly a different story. Although he wasn’t able to keep up with sluggers such as Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr., Garciaparra was selected to do this event in his home stadium.
The 1999 All-Star Game was a spectacle at Fenway all around for multiple reasons, whether it was Pedro Martinez’s performance or Ted Williams being present. But the Home Run Derby, although not going the home player’s way, was also a moment. Fenway Park has yet to get another All-Star host bid since, but that ‘99 weekend was special.
Carl Everett (2000 Home Run Derby)
The year after, Carl Everett made his first appearance at All-Star Weekend, hitting 22 of his career high 34 home runs in the first half of the season. He showed up to Turner Field not only for the game itself, but also the Derby. He hit 12 home runs total in the derby, finishing in third place as he lost in the semifinals 11-6 to the eventual champion in Sammy Sosa.
Everett was not around Boston for long, playing for the team from 2000-2002 before being traded to the Texas Rangers. The outfielder had his ups and downs with this team, as his highlight in Boston was breaking up a perfect game against Mike Mussina, but then later that month, he was suspended for showing up late to a workout. As mentioned, Boston would eventually move on from him.
David Ortiz (Five-Time Participant, One-Time Winner)
Franchise legend David Ortiz, also known as “Big Papi” was a mainstay in the Derby for the mid 2000’s and very early 2010’s. He made his first appearance in 2004, where he hit three and was eliminated in the first round. In ‘05 and ‘06 he finished as a semi-finalist. But 2010 was the year he broke through, winning the Derby with 32 homers. He ended up beating future teammate Hanley Ramirez.
The win for Ortiz also meant the first time in franchise history that a Red Sox player had won the derby. The slugger would go at it again in 2011, once again finishing as a semi-finalist. But the crazy thing about that year was that he wasn’t the only Red Sox player to enter, and his teammate did better.
Adrian Gonzalez (2011 Home Run Derby)
Adrian Gonzalez, in his short lived tenure in Boston, did manage to make a derby appearance alongside Ortiz. Although not his first time in the derby, it was his first as a member of Boston. Gonzalez actually outhit Ortiz, going onto the final round to face off with Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.
The first baseman would barely miss out on the franchise’s second straight Home Run Derby champion, hitting 31 homers to Cano’s 32. Regardless, it was a great run for Ortiz and Gonzalez both that year.
The Last Word
Contreras is slated to go on Monday night. With his injury listed as day-to-day, and his suspension keeping him out for the weekend series against the Mets, there should be plenty of rest time. The field for Monday is pretty stacked, but Contreras has a decent chance. He hit 20 home runs in the first half, just four shy of his career high in a season. This is definitely a career year for him and he seems poised for a successful second half. The Home Run Derby is Monday at 8 PM Eastern, and can be streamed on Netflix.
Main Photo: Scott Novak- Imagn Images
