Welcome to another blog post today we discussed “Alec Bohm’s Electrifying Performance at the Home Run Derby”.Michael Jordan had his secret stuff. All Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm needed was some “wooder.” With just 1:41 left in the semifinal of Monday night’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby. Bohm called for a timeout after managing only three home runs into the Globe Life Field stands. He needed 11 taters to match Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández.
Of the franchise-record eight Phillies named to the Midsummer Classic, First baseman Bryce Harper, shortstop Trea Turner. Left-handers Cristopher Sánchez and Matt Strahm, and right-hander Jeff Hoffman greeted their teammate for a pep talk.—And a jug of water labeled in a Philadelphia accent.
Team Support and Bohm’s Determination
“It’ll be fun to look over and see all the guys supporting me and doing whatever,” Bohm said earlier in the day. “Their kids having fun and all that stuff. So yeah, it’ll be a good time.” The underdog Bohm went on a roll, going deep in eight of his next 13 hits, and reached 14 on his second-to-last swing to force a swing-off. Hernández homered on two of three pitches, while Bohm could only counter with one and was eliminated. Hernández went on to capture the crown, besting Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in dramatic fashion.
“I really don’t feel any pressure, maybe I will once we get closer to it,” Bohm said beforehand. “I don’t feel much pressure. For me, it’s just kind of going out and hitting. I think it’s going to be fun more than anything, right? But maybe I’ll feel a little bit of pressure when I get up there.” If Bohm felt any nerves, he didn’t show it. Leading off the Derby because he had the fewest first-half homers (11) among the eight participants. Bohm quickly turned himself into a legitimate contender with 21 taters—tied for most in the first round with Guardians third baseman José Ramírez. Bohm went deep on three consecutive swings three times in the round, including a stretch of six in a row.
New Derby Rules and Strategy
With new Derby rules, there was no seeding for the first round. Instead, all eight participants were asked to hit as many homers as possible in their allotted time (three minutes), with a maximum of 40 pitches thrown. Sluggers then got a bonus period that went until three outs, with every hit either a home run or an out. A homer of at least 425 feet in the bonus period unlocked a fourth out. The top four sluggers advanced to the semifinals, where the seeding was determined by the number of homers hit in Round 1.
To get that far, Bohm knew he needed to execute a pull-happy, line-drive approach—quite the opposite of his reputation for going to the opposite field. All 36 of his homers went to left field on Monday. He likely perfected that with Manhattan College assistant coach Scott Wingo, who was Bohm’s coach in 2016 during his freshman year at Wichita State. The pair previously teamed up that summer when Bohm won the Coastal Plain League home run derby. The duo settled for third place this time around.
Reflecting on Bohm’s Journey
Bohm’s remarkable journey through the Home Run Derby showcased his adaptability and determination. His ability to switch from his usual opposite-field hitting to a pull-heavy approach in such a high-stakes environment is a testament to his skill and versatility as a player. While he may not have taken the crown, Bohm’s performance was a highlight of the event and demonstrated the importance of teamwork and support from his fellow Phillies.
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Conclusion
Alec Bohm’s electrifying performance at the Home Run Derby. Fueled by a little “wooder” and a lot of determination will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the 2024 Midsummer Classic. His journey from underdog to contender, supported by his teammates and coaches, is a testament to his talent and perseverance. As Bohm continues to develop and refine his skills. Phillies fans can look forward to many more thrilling moments from their standout third baseman.
