Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits first home run of 2024 MLB season, wins car
Mookie Betts has hit hundreds of home runs in his MLB career, but his latest might have been the first to come with a prize.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star blasted the first home run of the 2024 MLB season in Thursday’s Seoul Series game against the San Diego Padres, a 400-foot shot to left field off reliever Michael King in the fifth inning. As a result, Betts will receive an IONIQ 5 electric vehicle from Hyundai. The Korean-based automotive manufacturer is an official sponsor of the Seoul Series and announced the car promotion ahead of the event.
The IONIQ 5 electric vehicle has been produced by Hyundai since 2021 and is valued for at least $40,000 at United States dealerships.
The two-run shot by Betts was part of his 4-for-5 day at the plate. He drove in six runs, but that wasn’t enough as the Padres got to Yoshinobu Yamamoto early in their 15-11 win over the Dodgers. Yamamoto gave up five runs in the first inning of his MLB debut, a hole that the Dodgers never recovered from, although Betts’ infield single in the eighth inning cut the Padres’ lead to one.
Los Angeles took the first game of the two-game set on Wednesday, winning 5-2 as Betts went 2-for-4.
Thursday’s homer figures to be the first of many for Betts. The 31-year-old hit a career-high 39 in 2023. He also slashed .307/.408/.579 with 107 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, finishing second in National League MVP voting.
