Plouffe edges host to win Mauer and Friends Classic Home Run Derby

Chris Long

[anvplayer video=”5036861″ station=”998122″]

Trevor Plouffe outslugged event host Joe Mauer to win the Home Run Derby at the inaugural Mauer and Friends Kids Classic at Target Field.

Mauer’s event reunited thirteen former Twins and other big names in Minnesota sports to entertain fans and raise money for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. The Twins announced the event generated $347,838.

Former Twins Garrett Jones, Plouffe, Nick Punto, Jason Kubel, Mauer, Justin Morneau, Brian Dozier and Joe Nathan advanced out of the two preliminary rounds that saw each batter get thirteen pitches.

Plouffe, Morneau, Mauer and Jones advanced to the ten-pitch semifinals before Plouffe edged Mauer to win the event.

Former Twins Daren Mastroianni, Brian Duensing, Glen Perkins, Corey Koskie failed to advance out of the preliminary rounds, as did Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise, former Wild player Mark Parrish, former Viking Chad Greenway and a guest hitter from Gillette Childrens.

JOE MAUER HR DERBY WEB 6-15-21

Click the video box on this page to watch extended highlights from the Home Run Derby along with post-event interviews with Joe Mauer and champion Trevor Plouffe

Preliminary Round (Rd 1 score-Rd 2 score–Total)

  • Garrett Jones: 7-4–11
  • Trevor Plouffe: 6-4–10
  • Nick Punto: 6-3–9
  • Jason Kubel: 5-3–8
  • Joe Mauer: 3-2–5
  • Justin Morneau: 3-2–5
  • Brian Dozier: 2-2–4*
  • Joe Nathan: 3-1–4*
  • —Cutoff for advancing to finals—
  • Daren Mastroianni: 2-2–4
  • Brian Duensing: 2-0–2
  • Glen Perkins: 1-1–2
  • Zach Parise: 1-1–2
  • Chad Greenway: 1-0–1
  • Corey Koskie: 1-0–1
  • Jim Thome: 1-0–1
  • Mark Parrish: 1-0–1
  • Dr. Cooper (Gillette Childrens): 0-0–0

* = advanced to knockout round via swing-off (Nathan, Dozier – 1 HR/each in swing-off)

Quarterfinals:

  • 1) Garrett Jones def. 8) Brian Dozier 3-2
  • 5) Joe Mauer def. 4) Jason Kubel 4-3
  • 2) Trevor Plouffe def. 7) Joe Nathan 3-1
  • 6) Justin Morneau def. 3) Nick Punto 5-4

Semifinals:

  • 5) Joe Mauer def. 1) Garrett Jones 6-2
  • 2) Trevor Plouffe def. 6) Justin Morneau 7-4

Championship Round:

  • 2) Trevor Plouffe def. Joe Mauer 3-2