The 11th Annual Celebrity Home Run Derby took place at Plainsman Park Friday, benefiting the Hudson Family Foundation, which supports children and families in need throughout Alabama and Georgia.
The event, put on by Auburn baseball legend Tim Hudson, was won by fellow former Auburn baseball great Gabe Gross.
Gross hit seven out of the park in the first round, putting him in a playoff with former Tiger and SEC Player of the Year Hunter Morris. In the playoff, Gross hit only one, but Morris wasn't able to send one over the wall, giving Gross his second derby victory.
Other participants included former All-SEC catcher Ryan Jenkins, All-SEC outfielder Trent Mummey, Wes Helms, Auburn hitting coach Greg Norton, American League All-Star Josh Donaldson, and Hudson.
Mummey hit four homeruns to come in third place, Donaldson had two and Norton had one. Hudson, Jenkins and Helms all were unable to put one in the parking lot.
Donaldson said it was an honor for him to get to participate.
"Auburn obviously holds a special place in my heart," Donaldson said. "To be able to come back here and help Huddy and this foundation, anything I can do to help him, I'll do it."
Donaldson said that Hudson is one of the best people he's met in baseball career.
"He's accomplished so much in baseball," Donaldson said. "He's done a lot of great things to reperesent Auburn and his last name. That kind of stuff doesn't get made up about you. He's earned that."
Hudson addressed the crowed prior to the event to show his appreciation.
"I want to thank you for coming out and supporting our foundation," Hudson said. "Every year, this home run derby gets a little bigger and little better. Our foundation is something that's really special to Kim and I, we've been able to help a lot of families. We can't do it without people like you coming out and supporting us."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
