This Dodgers Hall of Famer might be the worst Home Run Derby participant of all time

Last season, Teoscar Hernández battled seven other hitters, out-slugging the likes of Pete Alonso, José Ramírez, and Bobby Witt Jr., to become the Dodgers' first ever Home Run Derby champion. A lot of notable Dodgers have participated in the event, including Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Matt Kemp, and Joc Pederson, who came the closest to winning in 2015.

But none have ever done so poorly as Mike Piazza. Kemp appeared in 2011 and 2012 and never advanced past the first round after hitting just two and then one homer respectively, but it was at least better than Piazza, who represented the Dodgers in 1993 and 1994 and hit a grand total of zero home runs. He never participated in another Home Run Derby, which makes sense.

The rules were different back then (the Derby has gone through multiple format changes since it was introduced in 1985), and no one was hitting anywhere close to the 40ish home runs that Julio Rodríguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Pederson have managed to send into the stands in more recent years. However, Piazza was still helplessly outgunned by Juan González and Ken Griffey Jr., who both hit seven to win the contest, in '93 and '94.

Mike Piazza represented the Dodgers in the Home Run Derby twice — and never homered

Piazza is 52nd on the all-time home runs leaderboard with 427, and he did it in fewer seasons than a lot of the guys above him on that list. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his fourth ballot in 2016, at least partially because of all of those home runs and his .545 career slugging, 32nd all-time for hitters with a minimum of 500 games played. This makes his utter failure in the Derby that much more confounding.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh, Byron Buxton, Oneil Cruz, James Wood, and Junior Caminero are among the confirmed participants for this year's edition, all looking to outslug Piazza's Hall of Fame "legacy".

As for the current Dodgers, Hernández, who has been dealing with some health issues, said he wouldn't return to defend his title, citing his priority to stay healthy through the rest of the season. Shohei Ohtani, who participated in 2021 with the Angels and was kicked out in the first round by Juan Soto, definitely won't be entertaining the possibility either.

Regardless, we're hopeful that everyone who does end up participating won't fare as poorly as Piazza.