Dodgers Slugger Claims $1M
In last night’s 2024 MLB Home Run Derby in Arlington, a late rally by Kansas City Royals’ star Bobby Witt Jr. came up just a home run short, allowing Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to claim the crown in his first-ever derby. Hernandez was hardly the favorite to win, and he didn’t make it easy on himself. In each round, he prevailed by a single home run. In the first round, he snuck into the semifinals with 19 home runs, eliminating hometown favorite Adolis García of the Texas Rangers, who finished with 18. In the semifinals, Hernandez was taken to a swing-off by Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The height of the drama fittingly came in the final round against Witt Jr. Hernandez went first, finishing with 14 homers, including one incredible stretch where he launched five in six swings. The crowd was clearly in Witt Jr.’s camp, hardly a surprise given that the first-time All-Star was born in nearby Colleyville. Witt hit two straight after getting down to his final out, earning a bonus. Needing one home run to tie, he launched a shot into center field that hit the base of the wall. Hernandez took home the $1 million prize. Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves hit the longest home run of the derby at 473 feet. Sammy Sosa’s 524 feet in 2002 is the longest home run in derby history.
