Pete Alonso made his Mets debut and his home run derby debut during the 2019 Major League Baseball season. Since 2019, Alonso had won each and every one of them (2019, 2021) that had been held. On Monday, he was looking to make history and become the first player to three-peat in consecutive derbies. But the rookie Julio Rodriguez knocked out Alonso in the semi-final second round to eliminate Alonso’s hopes of a three-peat.
Alonso was matched up against fellow NL East foe, Roald Acuna Jr. in round one, the quarterfinals. Acuna Jr. batted first and hit 19 home runs. Alonso needed 20 to advance.
He started very strong in the opening round sending his first pitch out of the park. His second was the longest of round one at 480 feet and exited at 111 miles per hour off the bat. Alonso called for his timeout with 1:20 on the clock and had already picked up his extra bonus time as well for hitting a pair of home runs over 440 feet.
Alonso had 17 home runs at the end of regulation and walked it off with his 20th home run in the bonus time to advance to the semi-finals, another knockout round in which he was slated to face Julio Rodriguez. Alonso’s average distance in round one was 429 feet.
Following his 20 home run round one Alonso said he felt great. He said it was a little nerve wracking to get the first round out of the way, but that it felt good to get going. He also said he had less pressure as he was playing for something bigger than himself, his foundation.
“Any proceeds from the winnings are going to the Alonso foundation,” said Alonso. “I just come out here and have fun and compete for something a little bigger than myself.”
Alonso struggled to find his groove in round two. He only had 18 home runs at the end of the three minute regulation and finished with 23 total in round two for 43 total on the night. Rodriguez impressed and eliminated Alonso with 31 homers of his own.
So no three-Pete and no back-to-back wins for battery mates Alonso and former Mets bench coach Dave Jauss.
Hopefully this wasn’t the last time we see Alonso compete in the event.
All Star festivities continue tomorrow night in Los Angels with the official game scheduled to being at 8:00 P.M. Jeff McNeil is the lone starter from the Mets, he’ll bat ninth and start at second base.
