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Teoscar Hernandez created history on Monday night by winning the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder became the first player in the franchise's long history to be crowned the home run champion.
The Dodgers faithful were naturally delighted by the result as they shared their ecstatic reactions on social media.
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The 2024 edition of the Home Run Derby featured a collection of young superstars and some veteran sluggers, although Hernandez was not regarded as one of the favorites in the eight-man field coming into the event. Hernandez had 19 home runs for the Dodgers before the All-Star break, and was making his maiden appearance in the event, while three of his competitors had hit more home runs this season:
“If I have to bet, it doesn't matter who I'm going against, I'm going to bet on myself. People maybe underestimate myself,” Hernandez said when asked if he considered himself to be an underdog in the slugfest.
However, top contenders such as Pete Alonso, Marcell Ozuna, Gunnar Henderson and Adolis Garcia were all eliminated in the first round. Hernandez then faced Alec Bohm in the semifinals, which required a swing-off between the pair to decide the winner. Hernandez eventually prevailed and went on to beat Bobby Witt Jr. 14-13 in the final to become the new Home Run Derby champion. Notably, he became the third consecutive Dominican to win the event, after New York Yankees' Juan Soto in 2019 and Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2022.
Fans had plenty to say on X/Twitter after the Dominican's big win:
"Champions never sleep," a Dodgers fan tweeted.
"That was cool to watch! Teoscar is awesome!" exclaimed another Dodgers supporter.
"Congrats to him! He’s such a crucial part of this team," another one said.
Having signed a one-year, $23.5 million deal with the Dodgers for 2024, some fans were clamoring for an extension to be handed out to Teoscar Hernandez:
"Can someone explain why we haven’t extended him yet? He just keeps getting more expensive," asked one fan.
"Love this man - sign him to an extension ASAP," one fan said.
"Give him a contract! He’s a Dodger legend!," another fan said.
Meanwhile, Hernandez is set to make his second All-Star Game appearance on Tuesday and is one of six Los Angeles Dodgers players to be selected for the Midsummer Classic this year.
Former teammate and Home Run Derby champion aided Teoscar Hernandez in his victory
Hernandez received a few words of advice from his former Toronto Blue Jays teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the final round, which helped him become the 2024 Home Run Derby champion. Hernandez was seen having a little chat with Guerrero during a timeout, following which he hammered five home runs in six swings, which eventually proved to be crucial in getting over the line.
“That was a surprise of the night. 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," Hernandez said.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Home Run Derby champion from last year, wore a Blue Jays shirt with Hernandez's name with the No. 37 on it to show his support. The pair were teammates in Toronto from 2017 to 2022.
