Home Run Derby's Intense Finale Ends With Dodgers Slugger Teoscar Hernandez Making History
Teoscar Hernandez became the first-ever Dodger to win the Home Run Derby after a thrilling three-round face-off. Hernandez defeated Bobby Witt Jr., 14-13, in the final round of what turned out to be a competitive Derby.
Monday's All-Star festivities at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX., started with choppy momentum after the disastrous introductions and national anthem.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 15: Teoscar Hernandez #37 of Los Angeles Dodgers poses after winning the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
The Derby lineup also failed to impress at first sight, with Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson standing as the Derby's arguable biggest star. But the rounds proved thrilling and Teoscar Hernandez — playing on a one-year deal with LA — was the unlikely champ of the evening, taking the honor of Derby champ from last year's winner, Vlad Guerrero, Jr.
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Credit to Gunnar Henderson for the top-notch Scooby-Doo impression, one of the night's best highlights.
As for highlights, Mets infielder Jose Iglesias made an appearance at the All-Star festivities, performing his song "OMG." It was something.
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Alonso fizzled out in the first round, and Teoscar nearly saw his night end early after a face-off against Adolis Garcia, knocking in clutch dingers in bonus time to best Garcia, 13 to 12.
Hernandez faced off against Philadelphia's Alec Bohm in the second stage, 16-15.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 15: Bobby Witt Jr #7 of Kansas City Royals hits in the final during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 15: Alec Bohm #28 of Philadelphia Phillies enters the court during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Rather than standing out as the most powerful slugger of the bunch, Teoscar got hot at the right times. His final face-off against Bobby Witt, Jr., also saw Hernandez edge out his competition by a single home run. Witt — Kansas City's star infielder — nearly tied up the tally on his final swing.
Instead, the ball bounced off the wall deep to left field, and Hernandez survived the intense matchup.
Hernandez also won a cool $1 million as 2024 Home Run Derby champ, which will be a solid title to bring to the negotiating table with Dodgers' Andrew Friedman this offseason.
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