Dodgers Top 24 Moments of the 2024 Season Part 2 (18-13)

12/31/2024 01:38 PM

This is Part 2 of Dodgers Nation’s top 24 moments of the Dodgers’ 2024 season. For Part 1 (moments 24-19), click here. Let’s jump right into No. 18.

Read more:Dodgers Top 24 Moments of the 2024 Season Part 1 (24-19)

18. Shohei Ohtani’s First Home Run as a Dodger

Shoehi Ohtani had a ton of firsts in 2024, but few were more anticipated than his first career home run as a Dodger. On April 3, in the Dodgers’ ninth game of the season and final game of a seven-game home stand, Ohtani finally broke the seal, hitting a 105.6 mph home run that traveled 430 feet into the right field bleachers.

"Honestly, very relieved that I was able to hit my first homer," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton after the game. "It's been awhile, and honestly my swing hasn't been great. So, overall very relieved."

While Ohtani’s home run was wild, the saga that took place after was just as insane involving the fan who caught the ball.

17. Teoscar Hernández’s Speech at the World Series Parade

Going back to the World Series parade, Teoscar Hernández cemented himself as an all-time fan favorite with a heartwarming speech to the fans at Dodger Stadium.

"I just want to say thank you,” Hernández said wiping tears from his face. “The Dodgers gave me an opportunity to come here so I can help this organization, this city, this team, and these people win a championship. You guys have made this dream come true. Thank you for making me a world champion."

He continued: “That's how much I care, how much I appreciate everything that this organization, these fans have given to me. When I show that kind of emotion, that's when I truly feel it. I've been blessed to be here."

That speech means even more now that Hernández has been re-signed for the next three seasons.

16. Mookie Betts Goes 5-for-5 vs. Nationals

Mookie Betts had an unbelievable performance in early April. He went 5-for-5 with three singles and two doubles, recording the third five-hit game of his career.

15. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts Hit Back-to-Back Home Runs to Walk-Off Rockies

The Dodgers entered the ninth inning of a September game against the Rockies down 5-4. Shohei Ohtani led off with a 432-foot homer, his 53rd of the season. Three pitches later, Betts hit a walk-off home run. You can’t end a game much better than that (although stay tuned because the Dodgers somehow did).

14. Dodgers Beat the Padres to Clinch the NL West Yet Again

A few days after Ohtani and Betts hit back-to-back home runs to walk off the Rockies, the Dodgers officially clinched the NL West with a 7-2 win over the Padres. The Dodgers trailed 2-0, but scored five runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Trade deadline acquisition Michael Kopech was on the mound for the final three outs.

13. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman Go Back-to-Back-to-Back to Start the Game

Back-to-back home runs to walk off the Rockies is great. But how about back-to-back-to-back home runs from your three MVPs to lead off a game? That’s exactly what the Dodgers did against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the final day of August.

In the span of four pitches, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman each hit home runs, making Dodgers franchise history as the first time the Dodgers opened a game with three straight home runs.

Stay tuned on dodgersnation.com for the final two parts of the series.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images