The Sportsletter - Derby Dramatics ⚾️

BY JEFF YODER

JULY 16, 2024 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Good Morning 👋

Last night’s Home Run Derby lived up to the hype. After a mere 225 total homers, it came down to one swing that fell inches short. Plus, Team USA’s basketball exhibitions aren’t silencing the doubters. And we’re celebrating the return of a sports video game a decade in the making.

🏅 Olympics Countdown: 9 Days

Know a sports fan who can’t wait for the Olympics? Share The Sportsletter so they can follow all the best moments, highlights and stories from Paris. We’re launching our Olympics Tracker next week, and it’s sure to be epic.

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MLB

Derby Dramatics ⚾️

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

Teoscar Hernandez Becomes 1st Dodger to Win Home Run Derby, Holds Off Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. by Inches in Dramatic Finale

Everyone’s favorite baseball bash was in full swing Monday night as dingers soared through the Texas night sky. The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby featured new rules and a format twist at Globe Life Field, but a collection of sluggers, young and old, took the stage for a swing-fest that lived up to the hype. The Dominican Dodger, Teoscar Hernandez, was the last name to enter the derby field and the fourth (and final) player to survive Round 1. At the end of a dramatic night in Arlington, Hernandez held off Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. in the finals by a score of 14-13. Witt Jr.’s would-be-tying final swing in the bonus round took the air out of the building before bouncing off the top of the fence. One swing, and only a few inches, made the difference. Here’s a round-by-round look at how the bracket shook out:

Round 1

T1. Alec Bohm (PHI): 21 HRs

T1. Jose Ramirez (CLE): 21 HRs

3. Bobby Witt Jr. (KC): 20 HRs

4. Teoscar Hernandez (LAD): 19 HRs

5. Adolis Garcia (TEX): 18 HRs

6. Marcell Ozuna (ATL): 16 HRs

7. Pete Alonso (NYM): 12 HRs

8. Gunnar Henderson (BAL): 11 HRs

*Top-4 Advanced to Round 2

Round 2

Teoscar Hernandez def. Alec Bohm (16-15, S/O)

Bobby Witt Jr. def. Jose Ramirez (17-12)

Finals

Teoscar Hernandez def. Bobby Witt Jr. (14-13)

The 1st Dodger Derby Winner: Hernandez became the seventh Dominican-born player and the first Dodgers player to win the HR Derby. Hard to believe that 13 Dodgers have entered the event over the years and never won it. He's also the oldest Derby champ (31 years old) since David Ortiz in 2010. The final head-to-head battle was must-see TV.

Watch: Teoscar Hernandez Wins 2024 MLB Home Run Derby

MLB: One Swing the Difference in HR Derby as Teoscar Defeats Witt in Thriller

Video: Gunnar Henderson Shows Off Custom Scooby-Doo Bat, Does Impression for MLB Tonight

MLB All-Star Game Notes

The 94th MLB All-Star Game (Tonight, 8:00 pm ET, FOX)

Tonight brings the 94th edition of the Midsummer Classic between the AL and NL. The American League has won 9 of the last 10 ASGs, but the National League got the last laugh in 2023 (3-2). The AL hasn’t just owned the last decade, but the last quarter-century (21-4-1 since 1997).

All-Star Game Notes

Overall Record: AL Leads NL (47-44-2)

Overall Run Count: AL Leads NL (383-377)

Starting Pitchers

NL: Paul Skenes (Pirates)
AL: Corbin Burnes (Orioles)

Complete MLB All-Star Starting Lineups

MLB All-Star Game

Tonight (8:00 pm ET, FOX)

Yahoo! Sports: Who Will Win MLB All-Star Game MVP?

AP: Paul Skenes in Spotlight, Starting All-Star Game After Just 11 Major League Starts

OLYMPICS

Is Team USA Gold Ready? 🏅

Photo: Christopher Pike / Getty Images

Anthony Davis (17 pts, 14 rebs) Leads 🇺🇸 Team USA in Narrow Exhibition Win Over 🇦🇺 Australia (98-92)

With nine days before opening ceremonies, the Team USA men’s basketball squad is getting some reps in with pre-Olympic tune-ups. Yesterday’s latest showcase in Abu Dhabi featured a narrow victory in a spar with Australia (98-92), one of the better international opponents. Anthony Davis (17 pts, 14 rebs) led the Stars and Stripes with a double-double in just 18 minutes. Anthony Edwards (14 pts) was a beast in the first quarter and Devin Booker (16 pts) also caught fire.

Far From Golden: Despite their second win in as many tune-up games, the Steve Kerr-led bunch looks far from golden. They led by as many as 22 points before letting the Aussies crawl back to single digits. ESPN's Brian Windhorst called it a "C+ performance." Here are some observations from the first two exhibition games to help viewers (and coaches) get the best from this team in Paris.

3 Keys (5 Players) to be “Gold Ready”

1. LeBron James and Anthony Davis belong on the court together. LeBron doesn’t hunt points in these games, but few international players can combat his IQ and ability to tag-team with AD.

2. Steph Curry & Joel Embiid are grossly overlooked on this roster. Steph’s hot hand will be a difference-maker in critical moments. When shots don’t fall, Embiid's post game is the security blanket.

3. Anthony Edwards is him. Expect Ant to be the star of this year’s Olympic team. If he gets hot early and attacks the rim, he’ll set the tone and demoralize lesser teams before they have a chance to wake up.

Watch: 🇺🇸 Team USA Holds Off Late Run From 🇦🇺 Australia (98-92)

Yahoo! Sports: Team USA Gets Scare From Australia, But Pulls Out Exhibition Win (98-92)

VIDEO GAMES

The Wait Is Over 🎮

Image via EA Sports

EA Sports College Football 25 is Finally Here — Expect Your Social Media Timeline to Explode

After 11 years, football gamers can rejoice this week. The beloved EA Sports College Football 25 video game is back, and it brings a beautiful full-circle moment of nostalgia and passion for an entire generation. Early-access and deluxe edition purchasers have started playing the game already (sort of) while the standard version becomes available on Friday (July 19).

For those unfamiliar with the iconic video game, gamers get the chance to play as their favorite school and build a program through recruiting and roster management while chasing the Heisman Trophy and national championship glory. The game was halted in 2013 after EA (Electronic Arts) was prohibited from production due to the NCAA’s NIL (name, image, likeness) court rulings. The EA Sports servers crashed on Monday shortly after launch. We’ll wait a few days to deliver our own full and honest gameplay review. For now, expect a social media timeline full of happy millennial gamers.

NY Times: College Football 25 Review: Seamless Gameplay, Intricate Dynasty Mode Make It Well Worth the Wait

STORYLINES

⛳️ The British Open Odds

The final major of the season has arrived with the same man favored to win the three previous majors expected to win The Open Championship. Scottie Scheffler is the pack leader at Royal Troon. (CBS Sports)

⚽️ Chaos at Copa America

The 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed due to fan mobs outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami that caused temporary gate closures. Eventually, gates were reopened, but not all fans with tickets got in. (FOX Sports)

⚾️ MLB Draft Winners & Losers

Evaluating MLB Draft talents can be a nearly impossible task. Unlike the NFL, NBA, and NHL, fans won't see the players their teams draft for several seasons. They might not see some of the players at all. (Sporting News)

NEWS 📰

🏀 T-Wolves’ Anthony Edwards a ‘Major Star’ in New Netflix Docuseries (B/R)

⛳️ PGA Tour Releases 2024 Fall Schedule Highlighted by New Tournaments (CBS Sports)

🥊 Jon Jones Charged With 2 Misdemeanors After Allegedly Threatening a ‘Terrified’ Drug-Testing Agent (Yahoo! Sports)

🏒 Steven Stamkos Pens Farewell Letter to Lightning Fans: ‘I Never Thought This Day Would Come’ (USA Today)

🏀 Team USA Women’s Basketball Coach Scolds Reporter for Question About Caitlin Clark (SI)

⚽️ Colombia Football Federation President Arrested at Copa America Final (ESPN)

🎤 Home Run Derby National Anthem Singer Draws Harsh Criticism After Performance (CBS Sports)