"Henning Jr." makes it a family affair in Celeb Derby

As Darnell pointed out while on the mic during the Celebrity Homerun Derby, "It sure looks like mom is feeding her boys."

He was referencing Mrs. Henning, the mother of Curtis Henning, the 2003 Homerun Derby Champion and Jeff Henning, the 2003 Celebrity Homerun Derby Champion.

Jeff, the younger brother of league member Curtis, never hit double digits for any of the rounds, but was able to hold off a pissed (and impressive) Casey Sylvester to take the title.

Casey Sylvester looked like the man of old this past weekend.

He was also the only man to hit the roof in the derby, accomplishing what only four men have ever done in the league. He also hit the house in left field just before yanking one just a few feet further. The shot was measured at 122 feet, furthest of the derby.

The Celeb Derby itself was full of surprises. John Jaha returned and this time showed some of the pop that almost made him famous in the majors. Many remembered Jaha being shut out at last year's derby, and he was the first to admit that the pressure was there this year to perform or stay home. He performed, hitting six out in the first round which qualified him for the second round.

Bic Bickley, former Commissioner of the TWA (Trampoline Wrestling Association) and current Commissioner of the MWF (Manzanita Wrestling Federation) had a swing that resembled Dean Evans, but even he got into the act, hitting a few deep bombs to right field, despite the fact he was wearing slack, a dress shirt, and a tie.

Josh Bartholomew arrived out of nowhere, and promptly went back. The man whose career line reads 1-16 with 10 Ks, 1 HR and 4 RBIs (grand slam off Carmichael) hit three out, but it wasn't enough to move on. Same for Mike Walsh, who alongside Casey Sylvester, felt he was snubbed out of the league derby, apparently forgetting he only had one HR on the year this year. He only hit three out as well and went home early.

Former Athletic John Jaha quieted the critics by hitting 6 in the first round.

Casey Sylvester was a big surprise. He arrived with the same intentions as Walsh, citing how he should have a permenent spot in the league derby due to his career accomplishments. He vowed he would prove us wrong in the Celeb Derby, and to his credit, he made some people look twice. He was the only man in the whole derby to hit double digits, getting 10 out in the first round, and was doing with a swing that forced people to stop and watch. Of his ten homeruns, roughly five landed only a few feet from the garage in left.

He himself fell just short of beating Henning.

After winning the toss, Casey gave Jeff the order to go first, and Jeff responded with six homeruns, including the roof shot. Casey then found himself with five homeruns and nine outs. After hammering number six into center, he failed to get number seven, forcing a 5-out tie-breaker.

Jeff again went first in the tie-breaker and hit five out. Casey, who throughout the derby would start slow in each round before catching fire late, did just that. He would up being shut out in the abbreviated round, giving Jeff the title.

Preview

Dave Cain made the Celebrity Homerun Derby something to look forward to in 2002 when he hit multiple balls further than we've ever seen before. Sadly, Dave Cain is now in the league and therefore lost his celebrity status.

So the question is, who's going to show up in 2003 to try and take the honor and glory (believe you me, Dave Cain was gettin' all KINDS of females after his display)? Will John Jaha return from his death bed to get shut out? Or will he take one deep this time around? Who is this Ben Affleck who's talking trash in the derby section? Will John Tesh make it out so he can get shut out and then hang with his boy Dr. Rapp? Will a WOMAN make her debut?

We don't know either, so tune in and find out when we do!

History

2002