Mickey Mantle defeats Willie Mays on 'Home Run Derby' in 1960

Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were the first two opponents on "Home Run Derby" in 1960.|Art or Photo Credit: AP

On this day in 1960, a pair of legendary Hall of Fame sluggers went head-to-head in the debut episode of "Home Run Derby," hosted by Mark Scott.

Set in "Wrigley Field" located in Los Angeles, Calif., both Mantle and Mays took turns competing to belt more home run balls over the fences as they vied for a grand prize of $2,000 with $500 bonuses for home run streaks of three in a row.

As one player swung for the fences, the other would join Scott in the broadcast booth to comment on the competition and their opponent.

The competition was wholeheartedly friendly between Mays and Mantle, but the prize money they competed for was a significant income supplement back in the year 1960.

Nine guests on "Home Run Derby" went on to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame including Mantle and Mays.

The show inspired today's annual Home Run Derby competition that occurs during the All-Star Break of the MLB regular season, but the very first one will forever be linked to the Yankees legend known as "The Mick."

Years later, Mantle was named the final winner of the show after defeating Jackie Jensen of the Boston Red Sox by a score of 13-10 in the series finale, becoming the first two-time champion on the program.

Check out the video below to watch the full debut episode of "Home Run Derby" as Mantle belted nine home runs to take home the first-ever Derby crown on this day in 1960.