It didn’t take long for Teoscar Hernández to endear himself to Los Angeles Dodgers fans — as he seemingly does everywhere he plays.
Not only does he have a winning personality, but the outfielder posted a great season, including a few career-highs in his 2024 campaign as a Dodger. His personality earns the spotlight here, though.
Just shy of two weeks after LA’s World Series win and a victory parade that put all others to shame, Hernández was interviewed on MLB Network about his rebound season.
He also addressed a moment during the parade — Mookie Betts handed him a mic after introducing him to a sea of Dodger Blue, and Hernández was visibly emotional at his reception.
“I never had a moment like that when everybody was trying to give me that love that have been giving me all year. That was incredible,” he said. “And I’m an emotional guy, so that gets me really bad.”
Dodgers fans plead with the team to re-sign Teoscar Hernández after World Series parade, MLB Network interview
“I never had a moment like that when everybody was trying to give me that love that [fans] have been giving me all year. That was incredible.”
Teoscar Hernández discusses getting emotional at the championship parade and winning his second Silver Slugger Award.@sluggernation pic.twitter.com/SJ2td0OXL4
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 12, 2024
Hernández’s MLB career began in Houston in 2016, and he was dished to Toronto after only a season and a half there. He played five and a half years with the Blue Jays before he signed with the Mariners in 2023 and the Dodgers last offseason.
After spending so many years beloved by the Jays’ fanbase, it had to be comforting to be so well-appreciated in Los Angeles.
Hernández’s 2024 stats made him easy to love. He slashed .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS and a career-high 33 homers with the Dodgers. He also contributed three more long balls, including a grand slam, and 12 RBI, en route to his first World Series.
The outfielder is a free agent again, and he’s sure to be hotly coveted by other teams wowed by his 2024 performance.
However, he has a clear love for Los Angeles, and the way he and the fans embraced each other should be motivation enough for the Dodgers to sign him back next year. His 33 homers aren’t a bad argument, either.
