Sosa Ends Griffey’s Reign as Champion

Sammy Sosa ended Ken Griffey Jr.’s two-year reign as Home Run Derby champion, hitting the longest, loudest and largest number of shots at Turner Field on Monday night.

Sosa beat Griffey, 9-2, in the finals and hit 26 overall, including two 508-foot shots--one to the upper deck in left field and one that came to rest atop the second green batter’s backdrop in straightaway center, below the scoreboard.

With injuries to Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza and Manny Ramirez, there wasn’t nearly the drama of last year, when Griffey won but McGwire conquered the Green Monster at Fenway Park.

Before Monday’s competition, scalpers were dumping tickets with $50 face value for $10 each.

Griffey and Sosa were tied, 2-2, in the first round of the finals, which was split into two rounds with each player allowed five non-homer swings each.

Sosa then went ahead with a 429-foot homer to left, took a pitch, and connected on four consecutive swings--shots of 476, 488, 477 and 443 feet. He added two more, at 460 feet and 508, while fans stood clapping, chanting his name and bowing.