Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes Captures Second Straight Home Run Derby

Player of the Day for July 14, 2014

All-Star Home Run Derby

Cespedes,
new Sultan of Swing

Oakland A's Yoenis Cespedes became the first back-to-back winner of the Home Run Derby since Ken Griffey Jr. turned the trick in 1998-99, blasting Cincinnati Reds’ Todd Frazier in the finals, 9-1.

Cespedes broke onto the power scene last season, winning the debry in his first attempt with 32 total homers. This season, his total was 30, despite the first round being cut down to seven "outs" from the customary 10.

Other players competing in the derby this year were Miami's Giancarlo Stanto, Toronto's Jose Bautista (AL Captain), Colorado's Todd Tulowitsky (NL Captain), Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers, and Cespedes' teammate, Josh Donaldson, whom Cespedes beat in a "swing off" after the pair each had three homers in the opening round.

The A's currently lead the AL West, Cespedes a major factor of their success, with 14 homers and 56 RBI.