During Wednesday’s 2024 regular season opener between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea, former Dodgers outfielder and current Dodgers AM 570 radio broadcaster Rick Monday told listener that whoever hits the first home run of the new season would win a brand new Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric car, as part of Major League Baseball’s sponsorship with the South Korean car manufacturer.

There were no home runs hit in the Dodgers eventual 5-2 win over the Friars.

But there were during Thursday’s 15-11 melee Dodgers loss. Two, in fact.

Unfortunately for much disdained (by Dodgers fans) Padres designated hitter Manny Machado, his 395-foot/three-run shot to left field in the top of the ninth inning was the second home run of the new season.

The first? Dodgers future Hall of Fame right fielder/shortstop Mookie Betts, of course.

Betts’ 400-foot/two-run ride to deep left-center field in the bottom of the fifth inning off of Padres right-hander Michael King won him a new ride.

Sorry, Manny (not sorry).

Play Ball!

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