2024 MWBL CHRISTMAS CLASSIC HOME RUN DERBY

Matanzas Cuba – 12/25/2024

Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire! On a glorious 78-degree day in Matanzas, Cuba, the only thing roasting was baseballs as the Estadio Victoria de Giron Stadium overflowed with enthusiastic fans for the 2024 Mid-West Baseball League (MWBL) Annual Christmas Classic Home Run Derby.

Ten sluggers, five representing the American League and five from the National League, stepped onto the diamond to put on a show for the ages. The crowd, a mix of passionate Cuban baseball fans and festive MWBL supporters who made the trip south, were treated to a power display that would make Santa himself ditch the sleigh for a bat.

LISTEN TO THE MWBL DEEP DIVE ON THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

Round 1: Bombs Away!
The first round saw fireworks from the get-go. Matt Olson, the Coconut Creek Crushers’ first baseman, set the tone early, launching a monstrous 576-foot shot that nearly cleared the stadium entirely. Not to be outdone, Gainesville Swamp Thing Luis Robert answered with a 544-foot blast that had the crowd roaring.

Representing the Southbend Lynx, Juan Soto unleashed a 552-foot moonshot that left his bat with a sound like a cannon blast. But Shohei Ohtani, the Fremont Cannons’ two-way phenom, stole the show in the first round. With his effortless swing, he sent a baseball screaming 591 feet into the Cuban sky, a distance that left the crowd speechless.
“Increíble!” (Incredible) shouted one Cuban fan, while another could only gasp, “esa pelota sigue yendo”. (That ball is still going)

Even with impressive blasts from Ronald Acuna Jr. (509 feet), Jose Ramirez (541 feet), and Jorge Soler (579 feet), it was Robert who topped the leaderboard with an astounding 10 home runs. Ohtani followed close behind with 9, while Soto and Olson each smashed 7 to secure their spots in the next round.

Round 2: The Pressure Mounts
With the field narrowed, the intensity ratcheted up. Olson found another gear, crushing 9 home runs, including a towering shot that threatened to leave the island altogether. Robert kept pace with 6 of his own, including a 539-foot laser beam that had the crowd ducking for cover.

Sadly, we had to bid farewell to Soto (5 home runs) and Ohtani (4 home runs), despite their valiant efforts. The stage was set for a showdown between two titans of power: Olson and Robert.

The Finals: A Battle for the Ages
The crowd was on its feet as Olson and Robert prepared for the final duel. Olson, with the pressure mounting, dug in and delivered a performance for the ages. He launched 6 home runs, including a 504-foot bomb that sealed his victory. Robert, despite a valiant effort with 3 home runs, couldn’t match Olson’s power surge.

Olson Crowned Champion!
As the dust settled, Matt Olson stood tall, crowned the 2024 MWBL Christmas Classic Home Run Derby Champion. His 22 total home runs just edged out Robert’s 19, a testament to his incredible consistency and power.

While Olson took home the trophy, it was Ohtani’s 591-foot blast that everyone would remember. That ball, they say, is still orbiting the Earth.

Jorge Soler, though eliminated in the first round, earned bragging rights for the highest average home run distance (470 feet) among players with at least 4 homers.

The 2024 MWBL Christmas Classic proved to be an unforgettable spectacle, a perfect blend of holiday cheer and baseball power. The Cuban fans, the warm weather, and the jaw-dropping home runs created a memory that would last a lifetime. Until next year, when the MWBL returns to spread more Christmas cheer, one home run at a time.