Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández follows via through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández is launched earlier than the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hits a house run through the first spherical of the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. connects through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Followers attain for a house run ball through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm participates within the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez follows via through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia connects through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Followers attain for a house run ball through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso follows via through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
The Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna connects through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hits a house run through the first spherical of the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso bats through the House Run Derby at Globe Life Subject on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso reacts through the House Run Derby at Globe Life Subject on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm bats through the House Run Derby at Globe Life Subject on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm reacts through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The Cleveland Guardians’ José Ramírez watches through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández participates within the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, left, talks to teammate, pitcher Tyler Glasnow, through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández will get toweled off through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia follows via through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson connects through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna hits a house run through the first spherical of the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
The Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna smiles through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. waits to bat through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. connects through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Maggie Black, fiancée of Kansas Metropolis Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., cheers from the stands as Witt bats through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, middle, and teammates Tyler Glasnow (31) and Teoscar Hernandez (37) speak to New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, left, through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez connects through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Followers attain to catch a house run ball hit by the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez through the semifinal spherical of the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez connects through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández connects through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hits a house run through the remaining spherical of the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
Supporters watch Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández take part within the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández follows via through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández follows via through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
A younger fan watches through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm bats through the House Run Derby at Globe Life Subject on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm reacts through the House Run Derby at Globe Life Subject on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Followers attain to catch a house run ball hit by the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm through the semifinal spherical of the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández hits a house run through the remaining spherical of the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández reacts through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Followers attain for a house run ball through the All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández smiles through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, proper, celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel after successful the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, proper, hugs coach Dino Ebel through the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. swings through the MLB baseball All-Star House Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
The Kansas Metropolis Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. bats through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after successful the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after successful the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after successful the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández celebrates after successful the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández holds the House Run Derby trophy and wears the champion’s diamond-encrusted chain after successful the occasion on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. He additionally receives million for successful the exhibition. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Kansas Metropolis Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, and Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández shake fingers after Hernandez edged Witt to win the House Run Derby on Monday evening at Globe Life Subject in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, poses for photographs with the winner’s trophy after the All-Star House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández poses with the trophy after successful the House Run Derby through the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández poses with the trophy after successful the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, proper, celebrates with Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel, after successful the House Run Derby on Monday evening at Globe Life Subject in Arlington, Texas. Ebel pitched to Hernandez. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, proper, celebrates with Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel, after successful the House Run Derby on Monday evening at Globe Life Subject in Arlington, Texas. Ebel pitched to Hernandez. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández holds the trophy and wears the diamond-encrusted chain after successful the House Run Derby on Monday evening in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Author
ARLINGTON, Texas — When Teoscar Hernández wanted a second to settle down through the House Run Derby, the Dodgers outfielder acquired a lift from a former teammate who simply occurred to be final yr’s champion.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wore a Toronto Blue Jays jersey with Hernández’s title and No. 37 on the again as he watched the competitors, honoring his buddy from their time as Toronto teammates from 2017-22.
“That was a shock of the evening,” Hernández mentioned. “He brings my jersey from Toronto, and when he goes to house plate. He was attempting to calm (me) down, and so he had handed two occasions, and it really works. He mentioned he wished to assist me going into the final spherical.”
Hernández gained the House Run Derby when he edged native star Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas Metropolis Royals, 14-13, within the remaining spherical Monday evening. Hernández, who has been “invaluable” to the Dodgers throughout his first season with the staff, acquired $1 million and a diamond-encrusted chain for his win.
The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles (his longest traveled 466 ft) and have become the primary Dodgers participant to win the derby amongst 11 who’ve tried. Whereas not taking part within the derby this yr, Guerrero gave Hernández recommendation throughout breaks.
“If I’ve to wager, it doesn’t matter who I’m going towards, I’m going to wager on myself,” Hernández mentioned when requested if he felt just like the underdog. “Individuals perhaps underestimate myself.”
Witt, needing one house run to tie with one out remaining, drove a ball to one of many deepest components of Globe Life Subject in left-center, the place it hit midway up the wall to the left of the 410-foot signal.
“Once I hit it I knew I form of – I didn’t hit it nice. However, yeah, I simply was attempting to blow on it or one thing,” Witt mentioned with a chuckle. “The very first thing I assumed was simply no pop. … We acquired to do a pair extra curls or one thing.”
Kansas Metropolis has by no means had a derby winner.
Each completed their two-minute remaining spherical with 11 homers, earlier than bonus swings had been added. Witt got here up wanting his first two bonus swings, then hit two homers in a row – one a 457-foot drive that acquired him yet another swing.
Witt was the No. 2 general decide by the Royals in 2019 out of Colleyville Heritage Excessive College, about 15 miles north of the Texas Rangers’ stadium. It was his first time within the derby, however he was the highschool house run champion in Washington in 2018 – and is the one participant to compete in each contests.
The 24-year-old Witt completed with 50 homers general that traveled 3.8 miles.
Witt had knocked out Cleveland switch-hitter José Ramírez 17-12 within the semifinals. Hernández beat Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm, 16-15, after a tiebreaker when each acquired three swings – Hernández hit two out, and Bohm one. They had been tied at 14 after the three-minute section and their bonus rounds, and Bohm got here near avoiding that, however the final ball he hit then landed on the warning monitor in left-center area.
Ramírez and Bohm each hit 21 homers to tempo the primary spherical. Witt began with 20 homers and Hernández had 19.
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso fell quick in his bid to affix Ken Griffey Jr. as a three-time derby champion when he hit solely 12 homers within the first spherical.
As a substitute of a single-elimination bracket like final yr, the 4 hitters with probably the most homers within the first spherical superior to the semifinal spherical. It then grew to become a bracket-style competitors.
Alonso hit a 428-foot homer to left-center area on his first swing, however couldn’t get right into a rhythm. The others knocked out after the primary spherical had been hometown favourite Adolis García of Texas, Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna and Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson.
“It’s disappointing, however for me, I believe it’s actually only a blessing and it’s simply enjoyable being on the market,” Alonso mentioned. “On the finish of the day, it wasn’t my day.”
Ozuna did have the longest homer of the evening at 473 ft. Angels star Mike Trout in 2022, and Oakland’s Seth Brown in 2021 have each hit 472 ft homers in video games on the stadium that’s now in its fifth season.
Bohm, one among a franchise-record eight Phillies named All-Stars, has solely 11 homers this season – the fewest among the many eight derby rivals. He mentioned he was going to attempt to hit as many balls as he may to left area and did – pulling all 21 of his homers that manner within the first spherical.
It nonetheless felt like 100 levels outdoors the ballpark when the derby started, however the retractable roof was closed on the stadium that opened in 2020. When the Rangers hosted the 1995 All-Star Sport throughout the road of their previous stadium and not using a roof, the derby wasn’t but a prime-time occasion and was held within the sweltering mid-afternoon warmth.
Frank Thomas gained in 1995 with 15 homers over three rounds in a distinct format. Albert Belle completed with a complete of 16, then a House Run Derby file, however Thomas beat him within the remaining spherical, 3-2.
