New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso continued his tremendous work giving back to the community on Monday night, as he gathered some of the top youth talent in the city at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn to compete in the first-ever ‘Battle of the Boroughs’ home run derby.

“The Home Run Derby is something that’s really special for me, and I want to give back and be able to give that opportunity to some kids here in New York, these kids can absolutely swing it. It’s just really special to me,” Alonso said.

Two teams made up of four kids each competed, and the two sluggers with the highest score at the end of the night battled it out in the finals. It was a perfect night for a derby with the wind blowing out, and man did these kids put on some show.

Alonso sat and watched alongside his fiancee Haley cheering the boys on, posing for pictures, signing autographs, and of course, giving them some words of wisdom as they progressed through the three-minute round.

Whatever the big man was saying certainly seemed to be working, as even 12-year old’s Angel Poche from the Bronx and Nick Pleswicz from Staten Island were able to put some homers over the fence at the minor league park.

The sluggers duked it out, putting on an absolute power display all night long. In the end, Brooklyn’s own Isiah Shivers and Queens’ Esteban Garcia went head-to-head in the final matchup.

Just before that though, the two-time MLB Home Run Derby champ decided it was his turn. Alonso was joined by Mets bench coach, and the derby pitching legend himself Dave Jauss, and man did the duo put on some display. 

Jauss was there taking in the event alongside his wife, Billie, and he told me he was honored to be there and play a part in such a tremendous event.

“I love this for the city and the young players. What Pete does for the city of New York and the charities he sponsors, it’s really neat. I’m honored and blessed to be out here tonight,” Jauss said.

After Alonso crushed some baseballs, Garcia and Shivers went to battle, with Shivers ultimately coming up on top 57-30. Shivers and each member of the victorious Team Amazin took home a sweet derby champion chain similar to that of Alonso’s. 

All of the proceeds from the night went directly to Alonso’s charity, Homers for Heroes. The slugger and his fiancée Haley created the foundation back in 2019 to recognize the everyday heroes who impact our lives.

“To be able to give back with baseball combined in it is just so special. I love this city and the people in the city. Their the best fans. They’ve given Haley and I so much love and support, and this is just one of the things we want to do to help give back,” Alonso said.

He added, “I can’t say enough about how incredible this is. These guys put on an absolute show, I was so impressed with all of them all night long. Hopefully, we can do this again next year and every year after that.”

There’s a reason Pete Alonso is the Mets’ 2021 nominee for the Roberto Clements award, and that was on full display yet again on Monday night.

Some players just simply get it, and big Pete is certainly one of them. It was certainly a great night for all at the ballpark for an even better cause. Nicely done as always by Big Pete, Haley, and everyone else involved!