Grady Emerson propels Dodgers in Home Run Derby X super Salt Lake final!

[Music] Yeah, let’s go. Let’s go. Yes, sir. I mean, I can’t even believe we’re here. I mean, where where do we start? Homeman Derby X 2025 got a great job. We had the opportunity through Major League Baseball to show up at the All-Star game with all those all-star fans being able to come over and watch our game. So, it was absolutely fantastic. And then we went to Round Rock. Everything’s bigger in Texas and so was that event. And just being able to go to different parts of the country that maybe we haven’t been to prior was definitely strategically planned out. And then from there, we went to a place we’ve already been before in Durham. We had 2,000 more fans than we had the year before. So, more and more people are showing up. And then from there, Oklahoma City was an absolute amazing event. The stadium was electric. The fans were electric. And I think one of the coolest parts about that in Oklahoma City, that was our first Home Run Derby X Queens event that was centered around the softball players. From there, we went to one of the most electric finals that you could have ever had for Home Run Derby X. And I hate to say I was on the losing side of that, but in De Moine, Iowa, St. Louis Cardinals show up. Adam Wayright, first time HRDX guy, shows up, absolutely balls out, does his thing. Him and Rick Hank absolutely took it down. And then finally, we finally got our big league ballpark. We’ve been waiting for this and the Kansas City Royals jumped on the opportunity to have us and we could not have been more honored to be the team that absolutely showed up. We had all the Kansas City Royal legends from the 2015 World Series Championship run. And finally, here we are. Salt Lake. This is a AAA stadium, and it looks like a mini major league stadium. This 2-day event has been on our minds as a long-term goal for a while now, and we’re finally getting the opportunity to make it happen. We’ve got 24 of the best athletes the world could offer on the baseball side and the softball side. Collabing is one. and being able to have all these amazing athletes here, it feels right. So, I think just in general, it has just been an absolute amazing season here at Homer Derby X for 2025 and finishing it off here with a 2-day tournament in Salt Lake City. One of the more beautiful backdrops I’ve ever seen in my life to be able to see who is going to be crowned the home run derby champions of 2025. I can’t wait to get this thing going. Yeah. Yeah, I mean I’ve played against Mike a bunch and um you know I think that’s the beauty of this contest is you really don’t know anyone can beat anyone so you got to be ready to go. Can’t take anyone lightly. It’s super cool to see those guys again. It’s been a long time, you know. Everything’s be friendly until the game starts, you know, and then uh then we got to go out there and find a way to beat him. I looking forward for this, you know. I can’t wait to get on that stage. And the good part is I play with Par and Travis, so I’ll be talking a lot of garbage. Oh my god. Jose Reyes was the shorts stop in 2015 for the Blue Jays when I made my debut. And I think he thinks he’s a comedian and a rapper now. So, we’ll see if he still got it on the baseball field. Regardless of how he performed, his mouth will be non-stop this whole event and he’ll make he’ll make it fun for sure. I feel like we were knocking on the door for success in De Mo. Couldn’t quite get it done. Uh but being able to run it back against the St. Louis Cardinals who we lost to in the finals definitely kind of fires the engines up a little more. You know, I hope that they play well. I really do. Because when you beat somebody, you want to beat them when they’re at the best. So, you know, good luck to them and even more luck to us. I do actually think we are underdogs. I think people are underestimating us a little bit. Yeah, I feel like we got a chip on our shoulder, but we’re like lowkey the young bucks, so we’re the ones that got the stamina. I’ve been fortunate to win MVP at both Round Rock and Oklahoma City. At the end of tomorrow, I’m hoping to have that season MVP trophy in my hands. And so, I’m excited. [Music] What a start in Salt Lake City. Home Run Derby X day one brought eight teams with one mission to survive and advance. The hits were massive and the stakes even bigger. Let’s run it back. The topseated Nationals came out swinging, outdueling the Royals to punch their ticket to the semi. Next, the hometown team and HRDX rookies, the Salt Lake Bees buzzed through. They edged the Blue Jays in a tight, heartpounding showdown led by MLB legend Jose Reyes. Then came a thriller. The Yankees dug deep, squeaking past the Cardinals 6866 and a razor thin finish. Yankees get their payback with the walk-off to move on. Finally, led by Adrien Gonzalez, the Dodgers simply overwhelmed the upstart wildard squad, only needing two hitters to advance. And that’s it. Four teams left. Nationals, Yankees, Bees, and Dodgers. The quarterfinals in the books. Up next, the semifinals and finals tonight. Big pressure, bigger swings. Get ready because the road to the HRDX crown only gets steeper from here. This is it. This is the finals for the season. We did what we needed to do yesterday, but today the competition steps up, so we’re ready for it. We have a tough team in the bees that we’re playing against. Obviously, Jose did a great job with his first round yesterday. I got to match him. I got to match him and beat him. You know, my goal is to be higher than Jose and give our team a chance. Me and Jose are sitting in our lockers right now. He’s like, “Trankilo Poppy, we’re chilling. Save your bullet. Save your bullet.” He’s just been a great teammate in Hannah as well. Being the hometown team, we can really feel the people behind us, too. I think just winning for the girls would be really special. Even the ones that didn’t get to make it to the finals today and the ones that do continue to go and the next generation of the home run derby X girls that are going to come through. So, just got to put on for my girls today. These softball girls hit bombs and make plays and the A USL is growing so much and softball is growing so much and they belong on the same stage as us. Like they’re hitting the ball just as hard and just as far as we are and they’re making plays. They’re our equals out here and that’s another cool component about Home Run Derby X. It’s for everybody. I’m more proud to to be growing the women’s sports. The diversity there, the inclusivity and all that stuff is really something that does mean more to me than, you know, any trophy or money. I’ve been in big moments before, so this is not nothing new to me and it’s not nothing new to the guys either, but it’s who’s going to compete today. It kind of brings back all these playoff vibes and we all like to tap into the competitive juices. You know, I robbed a couple balls at the wall, kept us in it. There was a lot of energy. It felt like a playoff type atmosphere. Everybody’s taking this a little more serious. The nervous energy is really coming up to play. We got to get ready. Feel like it’s game seven. I got to be honest with you here. This is the excitement and the time. feel like I’m back and that’s what I’ve always wanted. So, this kind of event brings those jitters and that energy back. I remember my dad used to always say, “Son, if this ain’t worth getting nervous for, it ain’t worth doing.” Salt Lake City. Up first, we have the Washington Nationals taking on the New York Yankees. Give it up for Ryan Zimmerman. 32 points for Todd Frasier and a 24-point lead after the first. And Alli smashes this one deep out to right center and gone. And another one way gone for two more. Switcher feeling it now with 15 seconds left as he blasts this one into orbit toward the back of the B and gives his team a 26point lead. Desmond starting to claw this thing back. Chance for a catch and it’s pulled in. 31 points for Ian Desmond, but the Yankees moving on. She’s run. She’s locked. Let’s go. I got Todd started off again with a third spot. I did my normal 20 piece McNugget. And we didn’t even have to use the queen. I said it once, I’ll say it twice. We versus me. Put up a big score. Put the pressure on. Make some catches. This what the Bronze Bombers do, man. Semifinal number two is on. Jose Reyes. A 16-2 lead for the Salt Lake Bees. Brady Emerson putting on a show for the boys and girls in blue. Dead center. Target zone. Out of here. What a round for Grady Emerson. Felt good. Got a group multiple times, you know, just put us in a good spot to win this open. Go play defense. Adrian and I are going to do their thing. We’re going to win it. Let’s go. Semifinal number two continues as we kick off the top of the second inning. Flipping with plenty of time and she lands one for two. Maya Perez Perez. Another one. Oh, she’s feeling it. Maya Perez showing off for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cole Tucker. Here he comes. Jos Reyes. 10 seconds. The Los Angeles Dodgers coming up in the finals. These guys, these two are amazing. Let’s go. Let’s go. you got in these finals. You got the Yankees or the Dodgers. The Dodgers eliminated us. So, I’m going to go the Dodgers. I’m going to have to say the Yankees are going to take this check ball. Mark my words. I think that Dodgers are going to pull through for us because Yankees will come down to Josh. I got the Dodgers, baby. I’m going Dodgers on this one. Going Dodgers. I think I’m going to go with the Yankees. I’m feeling good about the Yankees, guys. Dodgers, baby. Let’s go. I got the Dodgers. That is the die look good. If anyone can pull a rabbit out of the hat, it’s the cartoon character Nick Swisser. The hair is what he lives for. So, it’s his time to shine. This is what he asked for. Well, well, well, Salt Lake City. Will it be the New York Yankees or will it be the Los Angeles Dodgers? Ladies and gentlemen, your home run Derby X finals are coming up right now. It is time. Yes, sir. Let’s go. And we’re underway in the final. And the first pitch is blasted out and way gone through the target zone. Todd Frasier calls for the hot streak. Another target zone shot. Give it up for Grady Emerson. That’s three straight home runs. Now four straight home runs. Now five. Brady is out of his mind right now. And the Dodgers are out in front. Let’s go. Look at that. The kid The kids doing it. Let’s go. Thank god they got a 17year-old on their team. Unbelievable. 17-point lead now as Joselyn Alo is creeping up on Todd Frasier’s point total. Maya Perez destroys the first pitch and way gone. Another target zone shot. Gone. You got to be kidding me. The Dodgers. Nick Swissers off and rolling trying to get this thing over the line for his team. The tag in to Todd Frasier. The Dodgers might be closing in on this win. 5 seconds to go. There it is. Frasier to the target zone is high enough now. A chance for a catch. And it’s Brady Emerson. The kids are doing it. I didn’t have to hit. Let’s go. I did the best. If you don’t know, it will be home and dirty X. You need to come out and watch. Ladies and gentlemen, your home run derby X champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. And your MVP of the Home Run Derby X tournament is none other than Grady Emerson. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up one more time for your home run Derby X champions here in 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers. [Applause] Nobody likes losing in any competitions, but what we have built here at Home RunX, a community, a family. City got the next wave of superstars and some of the baddest softball girls on the planet. We got some MLB legends. I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. What’s the next step for you? I don’t know. Um I’m going to go into my senior year of high school. I’m going to play ball there and then um we’ll let the rest take care of itself. For 2025, last time home run derby X. We out. We’ll see you in 2026. [Music]

Check out some of the best action and behind the scenes from Home Run Derby X in Salt Lake City.

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