View Full Version : Home Run Derby TV Show
KingFisk
10-31-2014, 01:27 PM
Wow, I just discovered that YouTube has a ton of old episodes of the Home Run Derby...really cool seeing great footage of some of our cardboard heroes come to life. I think I know what I will be spending hours watching this weekend...here's a link to Harmon Killebrew vs (Golden Era Ballot nominee) Ken Boyer...this is awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaC07yOxxVI
That is awesome! I loved watching this show on espn classic as a kid. Thanks for posting!
I Only Smoke 4 the Cards
10-31-2014, 01:55 PM
That is awesome! I loved watching this show on espn classic as a kid. Thanks for posting!
Ditto. It was really neat to see the players I had heard so much about.
icollectDCsports
10-31-2014, 02:03 PM
Always fun to watch. I believe it was filmed at old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, the former home of the PCL Angels.
BruceinGa
10-31-2014, 02:11 PM
I enjoyed watching these as a kid in the early 60's. The problem was that we never knew when they would be televised. Now we can view them on YouTube. The same goes for The Little Rascals, Three Stooges and Amos and Andy!
SmokyBurgess
10-31-2014, 02:29 PM
YouTube also has the "What's my Line" shows featuring Satchel Paige and other sports greats.
mattjc1983
10-31-2014, 03:44 PM
I've seen these on ESPN Classic a few times too. My how the game has changed:
1) Players were willing to do this IN SEASON.
2) They were playing for cash prizes of what, $1000?
That's great stuff. Thanks for posting!!
bwbc917
10-31-2014, 05:51 PM
A player would have to hit a ton of homers to reach a $1000. Times were sure different. Anyone out there collect the HR Derby cards? I have a PSA 6 Colavito that's the pride of my collection.
Eric72
10-31-2014, 07:26 PM
It's a shame the show only lasted for one season. I am fortunate enough to own one of the shows on DVD. If anyone would like it, please PM your mailing address to me and I will mail it to you. When you're done watching it, please pass it forward.
Best,
Eric
I read an article in Memories & Dreams (the HOF's magazine) that the show aired only in 1960. Does this suggest that the cards should be reclassified as 1960 cards instead of 1959? Or were the cards released before the show aired in order to promote the show?
BicycleSpokes
11-01-2014, 04:33 PM
These are awesome! Thanks for pointing them out. Just watched Mantle vs. Killebrew... Interesting that Mantle is batting from the right side against the right handed BP pitcher! Was this his more naturally powerful side?
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mgugs46
11-01-2014, 04:49 PM
I loved watching this show on ESPN classic. Thanks for the link. YouTube loop here I come.
clydepepper
11-01-2014, 06:05 PM
I purchased the DVDs a few years ago...great stuff.
Most of the interviews, if you want to call them that, are very stale, but I enjoyed hearing Dick Stuart get a little chatty.
RGold
11-01-2014, 06:45 PM
Beat Harmon Killebrew 3-2, Lost to Hank Aaron 9-6. :D:D:D
Ken Boyer for Hall of Fame!!!
http://photos.imageevent.com/rgold/forsale/boyerhome.jpg
Buythatcard
11-01-2014, 06:54 PM
Seen these episodes as a kid and several times since then. Always enjoy watching them again. Would love to watch the players from that time period blow away the players of today.
Thanks for posting.
Bestdj777
11-01-2014, 08:59 PM
These are awesome! Thanks for pointing them out. Just watched Mantle vs. Killebrew... Interesting that Mantle is batting from the right side against the right handed BP pitcher! Was this his more naturally powerful side?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Mantle hurt his shoulder in the 1957 World Series and wasn't able to hit as well left handed after that.
I am going to have to go watch the show. I love the card collection. Below is a near set I once owned--bought it for the Mantle and pieced out/am piecing out the remaining cards. I could only imagine being a kid back then and the excitement of watching these guys play.
http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p669/debonochris/photo12_zps93e50801.jpg
KingFisk
11-01-2014, 09:20 PM
I am happy to see that everyone enjoyed discovering or re-discovering the show. My wife has put up with me all weekend watching episodes on the computer...with a break to watch my newly-arrived Blu-Ray of the forgotten William Friedkin masterpiece 'Sorcerer'....she may reach the end of her rope with 9 hours of football tomorrow...