The outfielder becomes the first Dodger to win the event, edging Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the final round when Witt’s last swing sends a ball halfway up the wall.
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.”
Hernández won the Home Run Derby when he edged local star Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, 14-13, in the final round Monday night.
The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles 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.
