Mookie Betts can do it all.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star can lead a team, or multiple teams, to World Series wins. He can learn the outfield quickly, develop into a Gold Glove right fielder, then shift to shortstop in his thirties. This is on top of being a great runner who can hit for power, average, and even post elite scores while bowling.
There is nothing that Betts can’t do. However, there is something that he won’t ever do again.
Mookie Betts Refuses To Compete in the Home Run Derby Again
In Episode 34 of his podcast, On Base with Mookie Betts, the three-time World Series winner opened up about his Home Run Derby experience with teammate Teoscar Hernández.
In the conversation, Hernández looked back on the event with a smile. That’s not too shocking, considering he won the event in 2024. However, Betts had a polar opposite experience in 2023. He competed in the tournament, but was eliminated in the first round.
Betts cited scheduling conflicts, feeling pushed for time, and the overall demands of the All-Star festivities as negative factors in his experience. In a previous interview, Betts said he didn’t practice for the event until ten minutes before it started because he was doing so well at the time in the regular season.
He then said he immediately knew the event was not for him, as he struggled to hit homers in both his practice and during the event. Betts said that the only way he will compete in the event again is if his song really wants him to when he is older.
Interestingly enough, Hernández had a different experience. He told Betts that he had to fight and convince “the powers that be” to allow him to participate in the event. He was added at the last minute, and of course, stole the show.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “And I was super nervous, but it was great.”
Hernández became the first Dodger ever to win the Home Run Derby. When asked if he would compete again, Hernández smiled softly and said, “Maybe.”
It seems that Hernández has a desire to compete this summer and defend his title. He is surely on pace to make the All-Star team in July, and maybe even earn a starting role. He has hit .315/.333/.600 with nine home runs and a league-leading 34 RBI.
Dodgers Notes: 5/9 @DodgersBeat
-Tommy Edman's ankle injury is about 80% healed, and the utilityman is set to take live at-bats on the Dodgers' next homestand.
-Teoscar Hernández took swings in the cage today and is also set to take live at-bats with Edman next week.…
— Cody Snavely (Canelo) (@SnavelyCody6) May 10, 2025
That said, the Dodgers just placed him on the injured list due to a Grade 1 adductor strain. He will likely return before the All-Star break, but the Dodgers might want him to skip the Home Run Derby to avoid aggravating the injury any further.