From David Ortiz to Teoscar Hernandez: 8 Dominican Republic stars to win the MLB Home Run Derby
Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers created history on Monday night after he was crowned the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby champion at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Hernandez became the first player in a Dodgers uniform and the eighth man from the Dominican Republic to clinch the title since its inauguration in 1985.
Here we take a look at the eight Dominican sluggers to win the MLB Home Derby
Eight Dominican Republic stars to win the MLB Home Run Derby
#1 Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs), 2000, at Turner Field (Atlanta)
Regarded as one of the most feared hitters of his generation, Sammy Sosa is the first player from the Dominican Republic to be named the Home Run Derby champion.
Sosa has 609 home runs in his career and has hit at least 40 in seven seasons, including three years with more than 60. However, the seven-time All-Star was denied entry to the Hall of Fame due to allegations of PED use.
Sammy Sosa was at the peak of his powers in 2000 when he defeated Ken Griffey Jr. in the final of the MLB Home Run Derby at Turner Field, Atlanta.
#2 Miguel Tejada (Baltimore Orioles), 2004, at Minute Maid Park (Houston)
Miguel Tejada is a former six-time All-Star who had a 16-year major league career with 307 home runs and was named MVP in 2002.
Tejada won the 2004 MLB Home Run Derby in his first year with the Baltimore Orioles and did so against huge odds, as five of his rivals would finish their careers with more than 500 home runs.
However, Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros faced off with the Dominican in the final round. Despite having a home-field advantage at Minute Maid Park, Tejada outshone Berkman, smashing a then-record 27 home runs.
#3 Vladimir Guerrero (Los Angeles Angels), 2007, at AT & T Park (San Francisco)
Vladimir Guerrero played for 16 years in the major leagues, raking up nine All-Star selections and six Silver Slugger awards, as well as winning the American League MVP in 2004.
Guerrero wrapped up his career with 449 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 with more than 90% of the of the votes. He won the MLB Home Run Derby in 2007 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
In the final, he overcame Alex Rios of the Toronto Blue Jays at AT&T Park in San Francisco, which is not favorable to right-handed batters.
#4 David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox), 2010, at Angel Stadium (Los Angeles)
David Ortiz spent two decades as a major league player and hit 541 home runs during his time.
The left-handed DH had 10 All-Star appearances and won seven Silver Slugger awards and was the World Series MVP in 2007. In 2002, the Boston Red Sox legend was voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year at the ballots.
Ortiz beat his compatriot and former teammate Hanley Ramirez of the Miami Marlins in the final of the 2010 Home Run Derby at Angel Stadium. He dedicated the win to the late Dominican pitcher Jose Lima, who had died that year.
#5 Robinson Cano (New York Yankees), 2011, at Chase Field (Arizona)
Robinson Cano played in the major leagues for 17 years, from 2005 to 2022, and is currently continuing his professional career in Mexico. The former New York Yankees second baseman earned eight All-Star call-ups, six Silver Slugger awards, two Gold Gloves and hit 335 home runs in the MLB.
Cano won the 2011 Home Run Derby at Chase Field in Phoenix with his father, Jose Cano, a former Yankees pitcher, tossing the ball. He defeated Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox 12-11 in a closely contested final.
#6 Juan Soto (Washington Nationals), 2022, at Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
Juan Soto is one of three active players from the Dominican Republic to have won the MLB Home Run Derby. The 25-year-old won the title in 2022 when he was playing for the Washington Nationals, becoming the second-youngest player to achieve the feat.
Soto beat Seattle Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez in the final round at Dodger Stadium. Rodriguez, who went on to win the Rookie of the Year, started brilliantly but couldn't do enough to beat the lefty slugger.
#7 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays), 2023, at T-Mobile Park (Seattle)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. emulated his father by winning the 2023 Home Run Derby, 16 years after Guerrero Sr. had claimed the title.
Thereby, they became the first father-son duo in the history of the game to clinch the title. Vladimir is set to make his fourth straight All-Star Game appearance and is approaching 150 career home runs.
Last year, the Toronto Blue Jays slugger beat Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays 25-23 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle in the final round to be crowned the Home Run Derby champion.
#8 Teóscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers), 2024, at Globe Life Field (Texas)
Teoscar Hernandez became the eighth player from the Dominican Republic to win the MLB Home Run Derby, making it a hat-trick of titles for the country.
The 31-year-old also became the first Dodgers player to become the Home Run Derby champion. He has 178 home runs with two Silver Slugger awards and will feature in his second All-Star Game this week.
Hernandez was not considered among the favorites to win the event but proved to be the most consistent. He faced Bobby Witt Jr. in the final and beat the Kansas City Royals shortstop in a tight contest.