Dodgers Slugger Teoscar Hernandez Becomes First Home Run Derby Winner In Franchise History

The final swing from Bobby Witt Jr. let out a loud crack as he swung for the fences while the crowd at Globe Life Field were on the edge of their seats, waiting to see where it would land.

It was a great underdog story on Monday night for Teoscar Hernandez who came into the Derby with the sixth-best odds to win it all out of eight total competitors.

That didn’t stop the 31-year-old from launching homers with the best of them and making it all the way to the championship round, beating Kansas City Royals star shortstop Bobby Whitt Jr. in a swing-off.

When hitting in a swing-off, both players are allowed three outs. An out is given if the batter doesn’t hit a home run, but you can earn one additional out if one of your home runs is 425 feet or more.

Whitt Jr. came into his final at-bat with 11 home runs to Hernandez’s 14 and hit two homers to cut into his lead, one of which went far enough to earn him a fourth out, but his final swing would come up short, bouncing off the center field allowing Hernandez and Dodgers fans everywhere to breathe a sigh of relief as L.A.’s center fielder had officially secured the win.

“I thought I had a chance when I hit it,” Witt said, “but I saw it was just a little bit too high.”

Hernandez also became the seventh player from the Dominican Republic to win the Derby title as well.

It’s a busy week for the Derby champ, who will be starting at center field for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game later tonight, July 16, at 5:00 p.m. PT.

The Dodgers will return to action on Friday, July 19, at 7:10 p.m. PT as they host the Boston Red Sox and start their final stretch toward the postseason. Every Dodger game can be listened to on KHTS Radio on FM 98.1 and AM 1220.

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