Begun in 1985, the Home Run Derby has become a popular part of activities surrounding the All-Star Game. The winners, including 2009 champion Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers, get a trophy of crossed bats.

Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies hits one of his contest-leading 41 home runs during the 2005 Home Run Derby at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Miguel Cabrera (r), then of the Florida Marlins, celebrates as fellow Venezuelan Bobby Abreu of the Phillies hits a home run during the 2005 Home Run Derby at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Johnny Damon (r), then of the Boston Red Sox, watches musicians Alter Bridge perform on stage before the 2005 Home Run Derby at Comerica Park in Detroit.

In 2005 players in the Home Run Derby at Comerica Park in Detroit represented their home countries rather than the AL or NL. So Dontrelle Willis, then of the Florida Marlins, carried a U.S. flag to root for U.S. representative Mark Teixeira, then of the Texas Rangers.

Former Pittsburgh Pirate Bill Mazeroski waves to the crowd before the start of the 2006 Home Run Derby at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

A fan paddle-skis around McCovey Cove during the 2007 Home Run Derby at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Seagoing fans fill McCovey Cove during the 2007 Home Run Derby at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers watches his blast during the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. Hamilton led the competition with 35 home runs, including a record 28 in the first round.

Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers was a close runner-up to Prince Fielder in the 2009 Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, finishing with 21 home runs to Fielder's 23.

Roy Halladay, then of the Toronto Blue Jays, is interviewed by Leeann Tweeden before the 2006 Home Run Derby at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

(L to R) David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies and Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves talk in the dugout before the 2005 Home Run Derby at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Rafael Palmeiro of the Baltimore Orioles calls his shot during the 2004 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles follows the ball as it goes foul during the 2004 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Tejada went on to win the Derby.

2002 champion Jason Giambi, then of the New York Yankees, reacts to an out in the 2004 Home Run Derby at US Cellular Field in Chicago.

Atlanta Braves mascot Homer poses with a fan during the 2002 Home Run Derby at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs autographs before the 2002 Home Run Derby at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Fans scramble to catch a home-run ball during the 2002 Home Run Derby at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Shortstop Alex Rodriguez, then of the Texas Rangers, entertains Shogo Sasaki, son of pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki of the Seattle Mariners, during the 2002 Home Run Derby at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Barry Bonds, then of the San Francisco Giants, plays with daughter Aisha during the 2001 Home Run Derby at Safeco Field in Seattle.

Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals (L) and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs watch batters during the 1999 Home Run Derby at Fenway Park in Boston.

Mark McGwire, then of the Oakland Athletics, hit 12 home runs in the 1992 Home Run Derby — 5 more than anyone else — at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego.

Cal Ripken Jr. (left) of the Baltimore Orioles chats with Cecil Fielder of the Detroit Tigers during the1991 All-Star Game Toronto's SkyDome. Ripken won the Home Run Derby with 12.

Dave Parker of the Cincinnati Reds led the first Home Run Derby, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis in 1985, with six home runs.