Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández recently made history becoming the first Dodgers player to win the MLB Home Run Derby. He defeated Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr 14-13 in a highly competitive matchup to be crowned champion.
The Home Run Derby is a baseball event where players compete to see who can hit the most home runs. Players take turns hitting as many home runs as they can within a set time limit. The player with the most home runs at the end wins. It’s exciting for fans because they get to see a lot of powerful hits. The event happens during the MLB All-Star Week and is a favorite for many baseball enthusiasts.
Hernández earned his championship spot due to his remarkable early round performances. In the first round, Hernández hit 13 home runs before entering the three-out bonus period. He whacked 19 home runs to surpass Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia and advanced to the next round. In the semifinal round, Hernández matched his first-round performance by hitting 13 home runs and adding another in the bonus period against Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. In the swing-off, Hernández hit 2 home runs, while Bohm hit only 1, securing Hernández in the final.
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Hernandez had a large amount of confidence that he would come out victorious in the competition.
“It doesn’t matter who I’m going against. I’m going to bet on myself. People maybe underestimate me,” he said to ESPN. “You can see it at the end when Witt was hitting all those homers. Everybody was shooting for him. But I’m [as] talented as all those guys over there. They might be younger, but same talent.”
The two-time All-Star Hernández took home one million dollars for winning the Home Run Derby. Hernández was very happy, filled with joy and excitement after conquering a major accomplishment he expressed to ESPN.
“This is amazing, man, everything that I’m feeling right now,” Hernández said. “There’s no word I can describe what I’m feeling, in front of family, in front of everybody that is here.”
