Even with custom Scooby-Doo bat, Gunnar Henderson fails to advance in Home Run Derby

ARLINGTON, Texas — Gunnar Henderson has more home runs — and a better Scooby-Doo impression — than the rest of the field in regular-season play.

That didn’t help him during the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Henderson hit just 11 home runs, finishing last in the eight-man field during the first round of the event.

It took Henderson 10 pitches to get one out of the park, and he went on a roll for a bit before slowing back down again. His hardest hit ball was 106 mph off the bat and his farthest distance was 438 feet.

“It was definitely a tiring experience,” he said. “After that timeout my legs were shot. I was glad to make it through it and hit double digits.”

Still, despite the result, this was a major moment for Henderson. The 23-year-old reigning American League Rookie of the Year had the spotlight. His bat inspired by Scooby-Doo, sent to him from the Chandler Bats company, is going viral on X. Scooby-Doo was Henderson’s favorite show growing up so he thought it would be cool to use that bat during the derby.

“I wish it had a little more Scooby Snacks in it,” said Buck Britton, the Orioles’ Triple-A manager who threw to Henderson.

Henderson is known around the clubhouse for his “Ruh roh Raggy" impression. Now, the rest of the country has heard it too — Henderson performed it live on ESPN prior to the event.

He had a sneaking suspicion that if he kept mentioning it, he would get a chance to do the impression for a national audience.

“It was pretty funny,” he said.

His fellow Orioles All-Stars — Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg and Anthony Santander — were there to support him. Rutschman, who participated in the event last year, helped every step of the way. He gave Henderson tips prior to coming to Arlington, poured Gatorade into his mouth as he came out for the event and fixed up his hair during his timeout. While Henderson hit, Rutschman stood off to the side recording him with his phone.

“It was awesome having the boys here,” Henderson said. “That was fun seeing them and being able to experience this with them.”

It was also a chance for Britton and Henderson to reunite. After helping Henderson get to the big leagues, Britton got to come experience a part of his former player’s success.

“That was great,” said Britton, who has known Henderson since he was 19. “A crazy environment, an awesome environment. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me man and something that I will never forget.”

Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm, Cleveland’s José Ramírez, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr., and Los Angeles’ Teoscar Hernández advanced to Round 2. Bohm led the way with 21 homers.

The semifinal round featured Witt Jr. vs. Ramírez and Hernández vs. Bohm, with Witt Jr. and Hernández moving to the final. Hernández won the last round with 14 home runs, besting Witt Jr. by one.