MLB superstars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani participated in the 2024 All-Star Game. They sell the most tickets in the game of baseball right now. There is a reason why these guys sell the most MLB tickets. Both have been MVPs once or twice in the last few years. The two-way superstar won the Most Valued Player award in the American League last year and in 2021. Now, he has joined the National League side Los Angeles Dodgers. On the other hand, the captain of the New York Yankees, Aaron Judge, won the AL MVP back in 2022 after he broke the league’s single-season record for most home runs.
He surpassed legendary Roger Maris as he hit 62 HRs in 2022. Again, these guys are top contenders for winning MVPs. The “Unicorn” Shohei Ohtani might end up winning the NL MVP. On the other hand, the Yankees captain might win the AL MVP this year as he also leads the league in terms of most home runs. However, both Judge and Ohtani shocked the fans when they opted out of participating in the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby.
MLB Insider Slammed Judge, Ohtani, And Soto For Opting Out Of Home Run Derby
Like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto is another big star that defines the modern era of baseball. Moreover, fans and his fellow teammates call him a “Generational talent.” Unlike Judge and Ohtani, Soto has won a World Series as of now. But these three power hitters opting out of the Home Run Derby was too hard to take for veteran sports journalist Ken Rosenthal. Recently, during a discussion with Fair Territory, Rosenthal mentioned, “I don’t love the fact that these sluggers opted out of something that’s important for the game of baseball.” The MLB insider denounced these top players of the league for doing so. He added that these events are for showcase as it is the one time of the year when the spotlight is on the sport itself.
To the same extent, Rosenthal said, there is nothing else going on in the major professional sports. Moreover, Rosenthal pointed out how these showcase events help in the marketing of the sport. He mentioned that these superstars are in the “CBA that they are supposed to be if healthy, but we get to hear excuses almost every year.” Rosenthal says these are marketing events, and these superstar sluggers must acknowledge its importance. Albeit, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto opted out of the Home Run Derby, they did participate in the All-Star Game.
Teoscar Hernandez Won The Home Run Derby
The 2024 All-Star week ran from July 14 to July 16. Since during this time, no other sport has been vying for attention, it marked a major time for the MLB. The ASG brings out the best players in the season to go head-to-head and show their skills. In the MLB Home Run Derby this year, representing the American League, the players who participated are Teoscar Hernandez (Los Angeles Dodgers), Adolis Garcia (Texas Rangers), Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals), and Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles).
Representing the National League, Pete Alonso (New York Mets), Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies), Jose Ramirez (Cleveland Guardians), and Marcell Ozuna (Atlanta Braves) participated in the event. Hernandez of the Dodgers emerged victorious. That’s the first Home Run Derby victory for a Dodger.
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