Adolis Garcia felt the love of the Rangers fans despite another early exit in the Home Run Derby

July 16, 2024

ARLINGTON – Adolis García took no chances.

He went home with a chain whether it said “Home Run Derby Champ” or not. The Rangers outfielder showed up to All-Star Media Day wearing a brand new gold, diamond and ruby chain with a giant pendant bearing his jersey number, 53, and his nickname, “El Bombi.”

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García shows off his El Bombi necklace during the All-Star media appearance at Globe Life Field in Arlington on July 15, 2024. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

It was about the size of the necklace that eventually went to Derby winner Teoscar Hernandez, which was officially a belt buckle-style pendant with 915 diamonds.

It’s always good to be prepared. Because García’s new chain was ultimately his main prize. Despite the huge cheers of the sold-out home crowd at Globe Life Field and occasional encouragement from his son Marcus Semien and his three boys, García was eliminated in the first round for the second year in a row.

He finished the game with 18 home runs, fifth among the eight participants. Hernandez of the Dodgers advanced to the semifinals with 19. García hit all of his home runs in regulation time and made three consecutive outs in the bonus period.

“I was happy with my performance,” García said through interpreter Raul Cardenas outside the AL clubhouse. “It was very exciting and I felt very loved by the fans. I just couldn’t perform the way they expected me to. I still had a great time.”

A year ago, García lost 24-17 to close friend Randy Arozarena of Tampa Bay in a bracket-style match in Seattle. His performance on Monday was a slight improvement over his total from last year. It was also one better than his home run total so far this season.

García tried to conserve energy with a lighter swing and eschewed the exaggerated leg kick he normally uses during the regular season. He also switched pitchers, from Rangers coach Tony Beasley a year ago to Franmy Peña, who is listed as a trainer/scout and who Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez used in last year’s Derby. Rodriguez and García share the same agent.

García is not giving up on the derby. When asked if he would take part again in the future, he did not hesitate.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I’ll win one of them.”

And then he walked away with his own chain.

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