Home Run Derby to Feature Real Gold Balls

By - Kris Fletcher

Major League Baseball has announced that balls like the ones below will be used during parts of next Monday's State Farm Home Run Derby. According to MLB, these are standard-sized Rawlings that feature one leather panel that has been infused with 24-karat gold. They are worth around $150 apiece and will be used when each slugger is down to his final out in each round.

Photo from: sports.yahoo.com

Pretty nice perk for any fan lucky enough to catch one of these bad boys. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America will benefit also, as Major League Baseball and State Farm will donate a combined $18,000 to the charity for each gold ball that is hit for a home run.

The National League squad will consist of Prince Fielder, Matt Kemp, Matt Holliday and Rickie Weeks, while the American League team is anchored by David Ortiz, Jose Bautista, Adrian Gonzalez and Robinson Cano. Ortiz is the defending champion of the contest.

Photo by: Getty Images

The original Home Run Derby television show ran back in 1960 and was hosted by Mark Scott, who died of a massive heat attack on July 13th, 1960 at the age of 45. In the wake of his death, the producers decided not to replace him and instead canceled the series entirely.

In the shows first episode, Mickey Mantle defeated Willie Mays by a score of 9-8. Ironically, Mantle would go on to be the shows final winner as well, defeating Jackie Jensen 13-10 only weeks prior to Scott's fatal heart attack.

Not surprisingly, Hank Aaron won the most prize money and overall contests during the shows brief run, winning $13,500 over a span of six wins.

Photo from: dmbworldseriesreplay.wordpress.com