1959 HOME RUN DERBY RULES

In the 1959 Home Run Derby television show, two notable MLB sluggers faced off each week at an empty Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. These contests were conducted in baseball's off-season and worked much like a regular game.

-Each player played nine innings, getting three outs per inning.

-Any ball not hit out of the ballpark for a home run was an out.

-Swings and misses as well as called strikes by the home plate umpire were also outs.

-The winner of the contest (the player who hit the most HR) came back each week (until they lost) and always batted as the HOME team. The only exception to this was the first episode where Mickey Mantle played as the HOME team against Willie Mays (AWAY) which was decided by a coin flip.

-Batting practice pitchers were used and the one who threw the most home run balls also received a bonus (which was never specified).

-The winner earned $2,000.

-The loser earned $1,000.

-If a player hit 3 consecutive HR, they received a $500 bonus.

-If a player hit 4 consecutive HR, they received another $500 bonus.

-If a player hit 5 or more consecutive HR, they received a $1,000 bonus for each HR.