Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández bring the boom to All-Star Weekend

In the Lone Star State, the baseball stars of Hollywood were on full display this past weekend. At the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Arlington, TX, the Dodgers sent four position players to compete in the 2024 Midsummer Classic. As expected, they all handed in some level of contribution.

Note: Mookie Betts and Tyler Glasnow were also named All-Stars, but were left off the playing rosters due to injury.

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Wows the Crowd

Through two full innings, the AL and NL All-Stars were stuck in a scoreless tie.

The National League, ready to finally make some noise, jumped on Tanner Houck early with back-to-back singles from Jurickson Profar and Ketel Marte to kick off the top of the third inning.

One pitch later, the magnitude of the game changed.

In his fourth All-Star appearance, Shohei Ohtani was given a hanging splitter from Houck on the first pitch of the at-bat.

Big mistake.

Ohtani put everything into that swing, walloping a go-ahead three-run home run to right field to make it a 3-0 NL Lead. Ohtani's blast was measured at 400 feet with an exit velocity reading 104 MPH.

His home run left thousands with their jaws on the ground, including the Yankees' dynamic outfield duo. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto couldn't help but just look at each other, shaking their heads in disbelief of Ohtani's talent

Ohtani is the first Dodger to go deep in the All-Star Game since Mike Piazza in 1996. He batted 1-for-2 with a walk on Sunday. He is now 2-for-6 in All-Star Games for his career with three walks and three runs batted in. He also pitched one scoreless inning in 2021, earning the win.

Ohtani has a knack for fashion as well, and seemingly gets pulled in every direction for interviews every season before the All-Star Game takes place.

Just check out that jacket lining when he was walking the All-Star Red Carpet.

Teoscar Hernández Wins HR Derby

Before the game on Sunday, everyone's favorite All-Star event packed Globe Life Field.

Hernández took part in the Home Run Derby and he did not disappoint. The 31-year-old entered the break with 19 home runs, and that number is exactly what got him to the second round of the derby.

Hernández swatted 19 homers in the opening round, which was good enough to place him within the Top 4 of the derby field.

In the semifinal bout, Hernández cranked 14 home runs, tying Alec Bohm, which called for a three-swing swing-off.

Hernández went first and showcased a flair for the dramatic. After falling short on his first cut, he slammed back-to-back jacks to place the pressure on Bohm. The Phillies third baseman charged one home run, placing Hernández in the final.

Hernández faced Bobby Witt Jr., the hometown kid, in the last round. Hernández was first to swing again, and he belted another 14 home runs.

Witt Jr. kept it close, however. With 13 home runs already pocketed, Witt Jr. had one more out to play with before the night ended.

Witt Jr. lifted a deep shot to left-center field, but it bounced off the wall, handing Hernández the first HR Derby trophy in Dodgers history.

Hernández, always smiling, was relieved to watch Witt Jr.'s final swing come up just short.

In the All-Star Game, Hernández went 0-for-2 with a flyout and strikeout against Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet, respectively. It was Hernández's second All-Star appearance.

Always Locked In

Freddie Freeman is constantly hustling. Even when it isn't in a game setting, Freeman wants to make an impact.

Ahead of the All-Star Game during batting practice, Freeman made a strong case for his coaching staff to consider using him as an outfielder when needed.

On a Gunnar Henderson swing,Freeman leapt up at the wall, robbing the star shortstop of a BP home run.

In his eighth All-Star appearance, Freeman batted 0-for-1with a groundout. He was initially called safe, but the call was overturned after the AL All-Stars challenged the call on the field.

Clearing the Air

Dodgers catcher Will Smith decided to make things right with his fellow NL All-Star. Earlier in the season, he called Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar "irrelevant" after a hit-by-pitch that caused the benches to clear.

This past weekend, Smith apologized to Profar. Allow for bygones to be bygones now.

Smith replaced William Contreras at catcher in the bottom of the fifth inning. In his second All-Star Game, Smith batted 1-for-2 with a single in the sixth inning.