Former Seattle Mariners slugger weighs in on winning the World Series championship

The 2024 World Series champion has officially been crowned.

The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from a five-run deficit in the fifth inning to win Game 5 of the series against the New York Yankees 7-6 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.

The Dodgers scored five runs in the fifth inning alone, tying the game. Former Seattle Mariners slugger and current Los Angeles outfielder Teoscar Hernandez recorded a two-RBI double to tie the game at 5-5.

Hernandez went 2-for-4 with his aforementioned double and two RBIs. He finished the 2024 playoffs with a .250 batting average, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 16 games played.

Hernandez signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract with Los Angeles in the offseason. In just six months, he was named an All-Star, won the Home Run Derby championship and won a World Series championship.

Hernandez is also all but guaranteed a long-term and expensive extension in the offseason.

The former Seattle The outfielder spoke about winning the World Series in an on-field interview with Hazel Mae on Friday:

“It was incredible. We started the game with a five-nil defeat. Like I always say, we’ll never give up on this.”

Wednesday marked the first World Series victory for Hernandez as a starter on the winning team’s roster. But technically it’s the second ring of Hernandez’s career.

Hernandez began 2017 as a member of the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros. He won the World Series despite being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 31, 2017.

Hernandez has previously spoken about how he appreciated receiving a ring, but also said it didn’t feel like it was his.

There’s no question whether the 2024 World Series ring belongs to Hernandez or not.

It feels great. It feels great. There’s a lot going on in my body and my mind right now. We put in a lot of effort as a group and as players. We went through a lot over the course of the season to get to this place and win it all. I’m really grateful.”

Hernandez played one season with the Mariners in 2023. He became a free agent after not being extended a qualifying offer. With Seattle, he hit .258 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs.

Hernandez didn’t always have the kindest words about his time with the Mariners. From the batting atmosphere to the team chemistry, he had a lot to say about his short stay in the Pacific Northwest.

Still, Hernandez is a fan-favorite player no matter what team he played on. And that appreciation extends to more than just the fans of the teams he played for.

Hernandez’s fate in 2025 is still uncertain. Los Angeles has five days to re-sign Hernandez before other teams have the chance.

Wherever he goes, Hernandez will continue to be a fan favorite. And he will bring new jewelry.

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