Olympic bronze medal winner Julio Rodriguez sets MLB Home Run Derby record
In the opening round, the Dominican hit 41 home runs, surpassing the 40 shots by Vlad Guerrero Jr. in 2019. Guerrero defeated Rodriguez in the semifinal and won the contest against World Baseball Classic star Randy Arozarena.
Olympic bronze medallist Julio Rodriguez set on fire the T.Mobile Park in Seattle, his home stadium during the Major League Baseball (MLB) season, during the All-Star Game Home Run Derby. He hit a record 41 home runs during the Opening Round, posting the night's most electric performance.
He used 59 swings, converting 69.5% of them into home runs.
Rodriguez, or J-Rod as the fans nicknamed him, eliminated Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, a two-time winner, but lost in the semifinal (21-20) against Vladimir Guerrero Junior.
Guerrero had established the previous Home Run Derby record (40) in 2019.
"I just like the fact that we're out here, and the whole crowd was into it, and they were supporting me. I feel like it meant the world for me, I really enjoyed it, and I hope they enjoyed it too," said Rodriguez on the MLB website.
In the second round, Rodriguez converted 45.4% of his swings into home runs. He commented, "It feels like your mind is there, but your body is not."
Guerrero (Toronto Blue Jays) would win the Home Rund Derby against Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays, 25-23. Arozarena represented Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
