Citi Field is polished and ready for the 2013 All-Star game after a an exciting Home Run Derby Monday night.

Despite being left off the All-Star game roster, Yoenis Cespedes, of the Oakland A's, beat out Byrce Harper, of the Washington Nationals, to capture the 2013 Home Run Derby crown.

In only his second major league season, the outfielder from Cuba dropped his bat and raised his arm in triumph when he sent his 32nd homer of the night some 455 feet to deep center field, where it caromed off the back wall of the black batter's eye. He was swarmed by the American League All-Stars near the third base line.

Young ace Matt Harvey of the Mets will start for the National League on his home mound. Mariano Rivera, in his final season, may well finish for the AL.

"Having the opportunity to take the ball is something I'll never forget," Harvey said Monday.

On July 16 last year, Harvey was pitching for Triple-A Buffalo against Toledo before 5,885 fans at Coca-Cola Field. On Tuesday night, he'll be starting against Detroit's Max Scherzer in front of a sellout crowd at Citi Field and a worldwide television audience.

At 24, Harvey is the youngest All-Star starting pitcher since the Mets' Dwight Gooden in 1988, when he was 23.

Harvey will be the first pitcher from the host team to start an All-Star game since Houston's Roger Clemens in 2004 and just the 11th overall.

AP Wire Services were used in this report.