ARLINGTON, Texas — The crowd at Globe Life Field anxiously watched as Bobby Witt Jr. sent a ball soaring towards the deep right-center-field gap. With a chance to tie Teoscar Hernández’s final-round total of 14, the home run would give the Royals shortstop a shot at taking the lead. However, the ball fell just short, hitting the base of the wall under the 410 sign.
Despite the disappointing end, Witt’s late surge had injected some excitement back into the Home Run Derby. The energy in the stadium picked up, but ultimately, the event fell short of expectations.
The absence of some of baseball’s biggest stars, who chose not to participate, was evident throughout the evening. Only a handful of All-Stars were left on the field by the end of the competition.
Teoscar Hernández, the eventual winner of the Derby, put on a solid performance and was a deserving champion. However, the overall atmosphere of the event was lackluster, with many fans and players feeling disconnected.
The evening began with a strange rendition of the national anthem and continued with underwhelming totals from the contestants. The new pitch-count-plus-clock system seemed to impact the players’ performances, leading to lower home run totals.
Despite Hernández’s victory and the excitement of the competition, the 2024 Home Run Derby was criticized for its slow pace and lack of star power. While the event has the potential to be a highlight of All-Star Week, this year’s edition fell short of expectations.
Overall, the Derby was a reminder that even the most anticipated events can sometimes disappoint. As baseball fans look forward to future competitions, there is hope for a more engaging and thrilling experience for players and spectators alike.