The Home Run Derby is one of the most fun days of the Major League Baseball season. New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has been a mainstay at baseball’s annual slugfest tournament since 2019. Winning two Home Run Derby’s in 2019 and 2021. Becoming just the fourth player to ever win the Derby multiple times. Prince Fielder, Yoenis Céspedes, and Ken Griffey Jr.being the others. Griffey having the most with three. In 2022, Alonso got past rival Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first round but was knocked out in the second round by Julio Rodríguez. This year, Alonso was voted into the All-Star game as a reserve, and he immediately announced he would participate in this year’s Home Run Derby.
Pete Alonso Falls to Julio Rodriguez in HR Derby
In the first round, Alonso was matched up with a familiar foe in Rodríguez. Playing as the clear-cut heel in the round getting booed by the Seattle faithful. Julio, just like the year before, put on a show in the first round, and once again knocked out the two-time Derby champion.
41!!!! 😤 #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/Xyr8uEONp2
— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2023
An incredible first round followed by an even better bat flip. 😮💨 #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/pFRCDsRZns
— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2023
41 homers in the first round for Rodríguez. Bringing back memories of Josh Hamilton in 2008 and it would prove to be too much for the Polar Bear. Alonso would only hit 21 home runs in the round. The earliest he’d ever been knocked out to this point in the Derby after advancing to the Finals and Semi-Finals, respectively. With Rodríguez proving once again he is Alonso’s Home Run Derby kryptonite.
Julio Rodríguez is must watch TV. 😳 #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/K3mI4NilTt
— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2023
Congrats @JRODshow44. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/eHBT8G6TuT
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 11, 2023
Interesting to note that Alonso’s originally pitcher, Mike Friedlein, injured his forearm. Friedlein was someone Alonso had chemistry with and due to his injury, he was replaced by Mets assistant coach Aaron Myers, who Alonso had little chemistry with. During the round, their lack of chemistry was on display and Myers threw a lot of balls away from the plate and Alonso never really got into a groove. Regardless, with or without Friedlein, it would’ve been extremely tough to beat Rodríguez on this night. The Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.would win the Derby for the first time. Alonso will have to wait another year to tie Griffey Jr’s Home Run Derby record.
Photo Credit- Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned- Pete Alonso, Prince Fielder, Yoenis Cespedes, Ken Griffey Jr. Julio Rodriguez, Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
