Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Teoscar Hernández won the 2024 Home Run Derby in dramatic fashion, with the night coming down to a final swing by Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., whose final attempt fell short.
Being the first-ever Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby, Hernández went in with history stacked against him. But with a new Home Run Derby format and a winning stroke with a player built for the biggest moments, the franchise’s 14th attempt was the winning one.
Initially, Hernández had a big cheering section with support from former Toronto Blue Jays teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and fellow Dodgers All-Stars Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Tyler Glasnow.
But the Home Run Derby went on, the Dodgers players mostly headed out with their families. For Smith and Freeman, it was related to their responsibilities as fathers, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
They were on Dad duty, having brought their young children with them to Texas this week.
“I had to leave early,” joked Smith, whose daughter Charlotte is almost 2. “My daughter was not having it.”
The same went for Freeman, who was in town with his three sons, Charlie, Maximus, and Brandon.
Guerrero Jr. wore a Blue Jays version of Hernández’s jersey, paying homage to his friend. Having that support, Hernández had a laser focus despite his current teammates leaving early
He also didn’t hold any ill-will toward his teammates for heading out during his Derby run:
Hernández said he didn’t give his lineup-mates a hard time, joking he hardly even noticed until seeing social media users wondering about their absences Tuesday.
“At the end of the day, it was a good day,” he said. “I won. So that’s all that matters.”
Team camaraderie wasn’t an issue, as the Dodgers are rock-solid in their unwavering support for each other. Evidenced in their joyful play and professional demeanor, Hernández reinforcing that notion strikes down any chatter that there are issues behind the scenes.
Hernández might be a first-year Dodgers player, but he’s made quite the impact in his short time with the club.
Teoscar Hernández played center field in All-Star Game
Following his Home Run Derby win on Monday, Hernández got the start for the NL All-Star’s in center field.
He last played in center field with the Blue Jays in 2021, but Hernández was a logical choice to fill the vacant starting spot. It was his primary position coming up through the Minors, even though 6,115 of his 6,934.1 career innings have come as a corner outfielder in the Major Leagues.
The Dodgers’ slugger was confident in his ability to man the position, looking smooth during the exhibition contest.
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