Teoscar Hernandez becomes 1st Dodger to win Home Run Derby – Daily News
2024-07-16 19:55:01
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández follows through during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández is introduced before the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hits a home run during the first round of the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Fans reach for a home run ball during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm participates in the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez follows through during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Fans reach for a home run ball during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso follows through during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hits a home run during the first round of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso bats during the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso reacts during the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm bats during the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm reacts during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians’ José Ramírez watches during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández participates in the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, left, talks to teammate, pitcher Tyler Glasnow, during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández gets toweled off during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia follows through during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna hits a home run during the first round of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna smiles during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. waits to bat during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Maggie Black, fiancée of Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., cheers from the stands as Witt bats during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, center, and teammates Tyler Glasnow (31) and Teoscar Hernandez (37) talk to New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, left, during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Fans reach to catch a home run ball hit by the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez during the semifinal round of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hits a home run during the final round of the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Supporters watch Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández follows through during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández follows through during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A young fan watches during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm bats during the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm reacts during the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Fans reach to catch a home run ball hit by the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm during the semifinal round of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hits a home run during the final round of the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández reacts during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Fans reach for a home run ball during the All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández smiles during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, right, celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel after winning the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, right, hugs coach Dino Ebel during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. swings during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after winning the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after winning the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after winning the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after winning the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández holds the Home Run Derby trophy and wears the champion’s diamond-encrusted chain after winning the event on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. He also receives million for winning the exhibition. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, and Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández shake hands after Hernandez edged Witt to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, poses for photos with the winner’s trophy after the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández poses with the trophy after winning the Home Run Derby during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández poses with the trophy after winning the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, right, celebrates with Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel, after winning the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Ebel pitched to Hernandez. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, right, celebrates with Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel, after winning the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Ebel pitched to Hernandez. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández holds the trophy and wears the diamond-encrusted chain after winning the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas — When Teoscar Hernández needed a moment to calm down during the Home Run Derby, the Dodgers outfielder got a boost from a former teammate who just happened to be last year’s champion.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wore a Toronto Blue Jays jersey with Hernández’s name and No. 37 on the back as he watched the competition, honoring his friend from their time as Toronto teammates from 2017-22.
“That was a surprise of the night,” Hernández said. “He brings my jersey from Toronto, and when he goes to home plate. He was trying to calm (me) down, and so he had passed two times, and it works. He said he wanted to help me going into the last round.”
The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles (his longest traveled 466 feet) and became the first Dodgers player to win the derby among 11 who have tried. While not participating in the derby this year, Guerrero gave Hernández advice during breaks.
“If I have to bet, it doesn’t matter who I’m going against, I’m going to bet on myself,” Hernández said when asked if he felt like the underdog. “People maybe underestimate myself.”
Witt, needing one home run to tie with one out remaining, drove a ball to one of the deepest parts of Globe Life Field in left-center, where it hit halfway up the wall to the left of the 410-foot sign.
“When I hit it I knew I kind of – I didn’t hit it great. But, yeah, I just was trying to blow on it or something,” Witt said with a chuckle. “The first thing I thought was just no pop. … We got to do a couple more curls or something.”
Kansas City has never had a derby winner.
Both finished their two-minute final round with 11 homers, before bonus swings were added. Witt came up short of his first two bonus swings, then hit two homers in a row – one a 457-foot drive that got him one more swing.
Witt was the No. 2 overall pick by the Royals in 2019 out of Colleyville Heritage High School, about 15 miles north of the Texas Rangers’ stadium. It was his first time in the derby, but he was the high school home run champion in Washington in 2018 – and is the only player to compete in both contests.
The 24-year-old Witt finished with 50 homers overall that traveled 3.8 miles.
Witt had knocked out Cleveland switch-hitter José Ramírez 17-12 in the semifinals. Hernández beat Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm, 16-15, after a tiebreaker when both got three swings – Hernández hit two out, and Bohm one. They were tied at 14 after the three-minute segment and their bonus rounds, and Bohm came close to avoiding that, but the last ball he hit then landed on the warning track in left-center field.
Ramírez and Bohm both hit 21 homers to pace the first round. Witt started with 20 homers and Hernández had 19.
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso fell short in his bid to join Ken Griffey Jr. as a three-time derby champion when he hit only 12 homers in the first round.
Instead of a single-elimination bracket like last year, the four hitters with the most homers in the first round advanced to the semifinal round. It then became a bracket-style competition.
Alonso hit a 428-foot homer to left-center field on his first swing, but couldn’t get into a rhythm. The others knocked out after the first round were hometown favorite Adolis García of Texas, Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna and Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson.
“It’s disappointing, but for me, I think it’s really just a blessing and it’s just fun being out there,” Alonso said. “At the end of the day, it wasn’t my day.”
Ozuna did have the longest homer of the night at 473 feet. Angels star Mike Trout in 2022, and Oakland’s Seth Brown in 2021 have both hit 472 feet homers in games at the stadium that is now in its fifth season.
Bohm, one of a franchise-record eight Phillies named All-Stars, has only 11 homers this season – the fewest among the eight derby competitors. He said he was going to try to hit as many balls as he could to left field and did – pulling all 21 of his homers that way in the first round.
It still felt like 100 degrees outside the ballpark when the derby began, but the retractable roof was closed on the stadium that opened in 2020. When the Rangers hosted the 1995 All-Star Game across the street in their old stadium without a roof, the derby wasn’t yet a prime-time event and was held in the sweltering mid-afternoon heat.
Frank Thomas won in 1995 with 15 homers over three rounds in a different format. Albert Belle finished with a total of 16, then a Home Run Derby record, but Thomas beat him in the final round, 3-2.