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Professional baseball

American League Dominates Home Run Hitting Contest in Pittsburgh

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The American League's Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas put on an incredible show at the All-Star Game home run hitting contest at Three Rivers Stadium, defeating the National League with a combined 17-11 score. Griffey won the contest with seven home runs, two more than Atlanta's Fred McGriff, while Thomas hit four home runs, including two drives that traveled over 510 feet. Thomas' four homers totaled 1,892 feet, averaging 473 feet each, with one drive reaching as far as 519 feet.

Key Takeaways:

  • The American League has won the home run hitting contest for the fourth consecutive year, outscoring the National League 17-11.
  • Ken Griffey Jr. hit seven home runs, including five that reached the right-field upper deck, with an average distance of 463 feet.
  • Frank Thomas hit four home runs, including two that traveled over 510 feet, with a total distance of 1,892 feet and an average of 473 feet per homer.
  • The longest home run hit at Three Rivers Stadium since its opening in 1970 was previously 483 feet, but Thomas' drive reached 519 feet.
  • Only 11 balls have reached the upper deck during regular play at Three Rivers Stadium since its opening in 1970.
  • The American League has outhomered the National League 85-44 since the contest format was changed in 1991.
  • Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) and Mark McGwire (1992) share the record for the most home runs hit in the contest with 12 each.
  • The longest home run hit in the contest was 519 feet, reached by Frank Thomas.

Statistics:

  • Total distance of home runs hit by Frank Thomas: 1,892 feet
  • Average distance per home run hit by Frank Thomas: 473 feet
  • Distance of the longest home run hit in the contest: 519 feet
  • Number of balls that have reached the upper deck during regular play at Three Rivers Stadium since its opening: 11
  • American League's lead in home run hits since the contest format was changed in 1991: 85-44
  • Distance of the longest home run hit in regular play at Three Rivers Stadium: 483 feet

Sources:

  • Associated Press - Pittsburgh
  • The interview comments of David Cone, Frank Thomas, and Ken Griffey Jr.

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