SEATTLE — Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. is regarded as the man who, perhaps more than anyone, helped make the Home Run Derby a marquee event. He not only holds the record for the most appearances (8) and the most wins (3), but also provided the folklore moment that elevated The Derby into the realm of must-see spectacle when he clanked one off the warehouse beyond right field at Camden Yards in 1993.
But when it comes to mythical presences in the Home Run Derby, the all-time champion might be another foundational ex-Mariner — one who hit a grand total of 117 homers in his 19-year career and well, never actually competed in The Derby.
I'm referring to Ichiro, the Sultan of Slap, who used to mesmerize teammates and foes alike with his daily power display in batting practice. He would launch home run after home run into the right-field seats, an exercise he said helped hone his swing for that night's game. For the entirety of his career, baseball people swore that if Ichiro ever took part in the Home Run Derby, this diminutive singles-hitter would dominate the behemoths.
