Alonso Wins 2019 Home Run Derby
Monday, July 8, 2019 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla.--Former Florida first baseman Pete Alonso blasted his way to the 2019 T-Mobile Home Run Derby title on Monday night in Cleveland.
Alonso joins Darryl Strawberry as the only two New York Mets players to win the crown. Alonso is the first former UF player to win a home run derby title and just the second player from the SEC to take win, joining Auburn's Frank Thomas.
Alonso hit 23 home runs in the final round to defeat fellow rookie Vlad Guerrero, Jr. and claim the title. Despite qualifying for an extra 30 seconds, Alonso clinched the title in the allotted four minutes. In all, Alonso hit 57 home runs in the competition.
In the first round, Alonso's 14 homers defeated hometown favorite Carlos Santana. Things heated up in the semifinal round against the Braves' Ronald Acuna, but Alonso edged Acuna 20-19 to clinch a spot in the final round.
Guerrero, an outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, also had an epic performance. He needed three extra rounds to defeat the Dodgers' Joc Pederson in the semifinals with 40 home runs. Guerrero hit 29 home runs in the first round to defeat Oakland's Matt Chapman.
"That was so fun to watch," Alonso said. "I'm happy I didn't face him in the early rounds, because he probably would have knocked me out. I've got to tip my cap, he's a hell of a hitter."
With the win, Alonso also claims a $1 million dollar prize, promising to donate $50,000 each to the Wounded Warriors charity and Tunnel to Towers, a New York-based charity that aides first responders and their families.
Alonso's breakout season will continue on Tuesday night as a member of the National League All-Star Team. The game is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. on FOX.
Alonso joins Darryl Strawberry as the only two New York Mets players to win the crown. Alonso is the first former UF player to win a home run derby title and just the second player from the SEC to take win, joining Auburn's Frank Thomas.
Alonso hit 23 home runs in the final round to defeat fellow rookie Vlad Guerrero, Jr. and claim the title. Despite qualifying for an extra 30 seconds, Alonso clinched the title in the allotted four minutes. In all, Alonso hit 57 home runs in the competition.
In the first round, Alonso's 14 homers defeated hometown favorite Carlos Santana. Things heated up in the semifinal round against the Braves' Ronald Acuna, but Alonso edged Acuna 20-19 to clinch a spot in the final round.
Guerrero, an outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, also had an epic performance. He needed three extra rounds to defeat the Dodgers' Joc Pederson in the semifinals with 40 home runs. Guerrero hit 29 home runs in the first round to defeat Oakland's Matt Chapman.
"That was so fun to watch," Alonso said. "I'm happy I didn't face him in the early rounds, because he probably would have knocked me out. I've got to tip my cap, he's a hell of a hitter."
With the win, Alonso also claims a $1 million dollar prize, promising to donate $50,000 each to the Wounded Warriors charity and Tunnel to Towers, a New York-based charity that aides first responders and their families.
Alonso's breakout season will continue on Tuesday night as a member of the National League All-Star Team. The game is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. on FOX.
Players Mentioned
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