SE Atlanta News

Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna were teenagers when they first played together with the Marlins’ High-A affiliate in Greensboro, N.C., in 2010. Six years after being traded by Miami, the two friends have been reunited this week as part of the National League’s All-Star roster.

So it seemed appropriate to ask the Brewers’ outfielder why the Braves’ designated hitter might win the 2024 T-Mobile Home Run Derby.

"That’s always just been him,” Yelich said. “He loves hitting homers. He’s a fun guy to be around. It feels like he knows everybody here. He’s best friends with everybody. It would be cool to see him put on a show."

Ozuna might not have put on the show that he wanted, but he certainly had some fun before being eliminated in the first round of this year’s Derby on Monday night at Globe Life Field. The Braves slugger hit 16 homers, three shy of the total he would have needed to force a tiebreaker to determine who would go to the semifinals.

“It was an amazing experience,” Ozuna said. “I couldn’t make it into the second round, but I feel happy.”

Ozuna produced the longest home run of the first round, a 473-foot drive that came off his bat at 110 mph.

The only regret came when Ozuna realized he left Snit Bear in the clubhouse. Braves pitcher Reynaldo López was supposed to hold the stuffed animal during the competition. The bear has served as a good luck charm since Braves manager Brian Snitker gave it to his designated hitter last month.

Another Braves All-Star, Chris Sale, represented his teammate by wearing a Big Bear chain during the competition.

Though he didn’t become the first Braves player to win a Derby, Ozuna will still have plenty of time to have fun with his kids, who were happy to provide their dad with a towel and water when he took his allotted timeout.

“My kids were amazing,” Ozuna said. “They were like, ‘Come on, Daddy! You can do it!’ We couldn’t make it, but it was fun.”

Ozuna earned his third All-Star selection this year, his first since 2017. He leads the NL with 77 RBIs, ranks second with 26 homers and is sixth with a .960 OPS. His production should significantly influence the Braves’ bid for a seventh straight NL East crown.