Although Mookie Betts committed to becoming the 10th different Los Angeles Dodgers player to participate in the annual Home Run Derby, he doubted how successful of a showing it would be.
Betts noted his stature was lacking compared to the power hitters who historically take part in the Derby. He nevertheless took advice and encouragement from his wife to be among the eight players that competed in the showcase at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Betts also set a goal of not finishing last, which was a message from his skeptical mother.
Unfortunately for the seven-time All-Star, the worst-case scenario unfolded as Betts hit just 11 home runs in the first round and was eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who went on to win the Home Run Derby.
Following his defeat, Betts said he merely isn’t a home run hitter, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“It sounds crazy,” Betts said with a laugh. “But I just don’t know how to do it.”
Guerrero swung first and set the bar for Betts at 26 home runs to tie during a minimum of three and a half minutes, which he considered feasible for other players:
“Twenty-six was reachable,” Betts said. “But, it’s reachable for someone who knows how to hit home runs.”
“I went through like three different swings in the middle of it,” Betts said. “I was trying. But I just kept hitting line drives.”
Betts added he enjoyed participating in the Home Run Derby even if not being best suited for the event:
“The whole thing is super cool. It got my juices flowing a little bit. That’s always fun,” Betts said. “The main thing was that, this is not for me. That’s the best takeaway I got.”
As for not using a timeout, the 30-year-old didn’t believe it would have changed much:
“I wasn’t tired,” he said. “And it wouldn’t have helped.”
Betts slugged 26 home runs during the first half of the season, which is most on the Dodgers roster and third overall in baseball.
Betts additionally broke the Dodgers record for most leadoff home runs in a single season with 10.
J.D. Martinez gave advice to Mookie Betts
Fellow Dodgers All-Star J.D. Martinez was among those watching from the field, and before Betts’ final 30 seconds of swings, attempted to provide him with advice of pulling the ball and getting it in the air.
Martinez also implored Betts to no longer hit the ball to center field.
Unfortunately, Betts did not hit any homers after the brief break.
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