For the first time in history, the Home Run Derby will be broadcast in Cuba by Radio Martí, allowing more baseball fans on the island to enjoy this exciting event. The MLB’s best power hitters took the stage at Globe Life Field and put on a show for baseball fans around the world.
Cuban native Adolis García competed in the event for the second year in a row and although he missed the second round by a homer, he still hit 18 in total during the first round and thanks to Radio Martí Cuba listened. The eventual winner was Teoscar Hernández from Cuba’s Caribbean neighbor, the Dominican Republic defeating Bobby Witt Jr in the final round 14-13.
While García was the only Cuban participant in the Derby, Yordan Álvarez will be the only participant from the Largest of the Antilles in the game. García has this to say to our sister page Pelota Cubana’s Javier González about their friendly rivalry,” We have very beautiful friendship we now how to separate our rivalry on the field from our friendship. I am also enjoying sharing in these All-Star festivities with him.”
He also had this to say about his performance, ““I felt very good, I enjoyed the moment which was the important thing, I didn’t take advantage of the extra bonus, I think that was what hit me, but I feel good,” Adolis also declared this after competing in the Derby. “The support I received in the stadium was incredible, as I expected and that gave me a lot of pride and joy.”
The competition had a change in format for 2024:
• All participants were seeded 1-8 based on their home run totals on the season heading into the event. The 1-on-1s continued until two players were left.
• There wasn’t a bracket-style system until the semifinals in 2024, and the first round won’t have predetermined seeds. Instead, the first round will consist of all eight sluggers competing together, with the top four performances heading to the semifinals. The semifinals will then seed each of the remaining hitters based on home run totals from the first round.
•Time limit :In years past, hitters could see an unlimited number of pitches within the time limit. In 2024, the rule has shifted significantly: Now, hitters will either see 40 pitches or hit for three minutes — whichever mark comes first — for both the first round and semifinal rounds.The finals will be two minutes long, or 27 pitches, whichever comes first.
•Bonus period : Then there’s the bonus period, which also has been overhauled in 2024. The old format gave hitters an automatic extra 30 seconds of hitting onto the end of their turn, with hitters able to earn up to 60 seconds if they hit two home runs of 440 feet or more during the regulation period. Now, the bonus period is untimed and grants hitters extra pitches. Each hitter receives an unlimited number of pitches until three outs (non-home runs) are reached. If a batter hits a home run of 425 feet or further in the bonus period, they receive a fourth out with which to work.
Competition results:
First Round:
Alec Bohm 21
José Ramírez 21
Bobby Witt Jr 20
Teoscar Hernández 19
Adolis García 18
Marcell Ozuna 16
Pete Alonso 12
Gunnar Henderson 11
Second Round:
Bobby Witt Jr 17 vs José Ramírez 12
Teoscar Hernández 16 vs Alec Bohm 15
Championship:
Tesocar Hernández 14 vs Bobby Witt Jr 13
Champion:
Tesocar Hernández