Carter's Carter: All-Star Alonso, Swamp Revamp, Tebow on Ice, More Gators Tidbits

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former Gators slugger Pete Alonso was the least popular person in Seattle on Monday night. Alonso was matched against Mariners sensation Julio Rodriguez in the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby.

A two-time winner of the event, Alonso fell to Rodriguez in the first round to the delight of the hometown fans. Rodriguez lost in the second round to eventual winner Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The 28-year-old Alonso is a reserve for the National League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park. He is hitting .211 with 26 home runs and 61 RBI in his fifth season in the majors with the New York Mets.

Congrats @JRODshow44. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/eHBT8G6TuT
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 11, 2023

As for falling to Rodriguez in the Home Run Derby, Alonso tipped his cap to one of the game's most exciting young players.

"Unfortunately ran into a buzz saw," Alonso told reporters. "He had a ridiculously historic round. That was incredible to watch. Good for him and good for Seattle. It's awesome."

Here's one to Alonso hitting a home run in the All-Star Game, which is Tuesday night live on Fox at 8 ET.

Let's take a look more items of interest to Gators fans:

+ Unless you just got back from that two-week trip to Bora Bora (and if so, can you take me next time, please?), you probably have heard the Gators are soliciting an architecture to head up a revamping of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. While the needle is beginning to move on a project that has been discussed for a few years, what does that exactly mean? Gainesville Sun columnist David Whitley writes about some of those questions and their potential answers … ($)

The architect search has begun to help refurbish the Florida Gators' football stadium. The facelift could cost more than $1B. What might it look like?

https://t.co/VWGH7EAYIO
— Gatorsports.com (@Gator_sports) July 10, 2023

+ Gators outfielder Wyatt Langford went fourth overall in the first round of Sunday's MLB amateur draft. The first-place Texas Rangers selected Langford, who projects to be in the majors sooner than later. Texas' current starting outfield is veteran journeyman Robbie Grossman in left, Leody Taveras in center, and slugger Adolis Garcia in right. Langford plays left, so his path to Globe Life Field appears uncluttered. Meanwhile, a closer look at how Langford fits in with the Rangers and their philosophical approach from Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News …

'Too good of value': Rangers praised for selecting Wyatt Langford at No. 4 in MLB draft 🖥️ #StraightUpTX https://t.co/g3rUW0RStX
— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) July 10, 2023

+ Former Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna has returned to the news cycle recently. First, he reached a plea deal related to child pornography charges from November 2022, reported here by Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel, and then he entered the transfer portal on Monday …

Can confirm former Florida QB Jalen Kitna is officially in the transfer portal. He recently reached a plea deal in which child pornography charges against him were dropped.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 10, 2023

+ On a lighter note and much more fun, former Gators point guard Taurean Green and former assistant coach Matt McCall have a special session on Twitter that hoopsters out there might want to check out on Wednesday night …

Coming to you Wednesday, July 12th @ 7PM!

Twitter spaces with @TaureanJGreen & @CoachMattMcCall discussing @thetournament, Run it Back Classic & training camp 🐊

🔗 https://t.co/zCaA8kH4NT pic.twitter.com/8hajta5YCn
— Florida Gators Men's Basketball (@GatorsMBK) July 10, 2023

+ The Gators continue to produce some of the top athletes across the country. Check out this notable from the NFL and MLB draft …

🐊🐊🐊 pic.twitter.com/NGE3OlTo7b
— theScore (@theScore) July 10, 2023

+ Tim Tebow is heading into another sports arena. He'll need a pair of skates. The latest endeavor by the Gators Heisman Trophy winner includes owning a hockey team …

The @ECHL is getting a new team in Lake Tahoe, co-owned by Tim Tebow and Dave Hodges.

They're set to start play in 2024-25: https://t.co/jA6AU8j995
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) July 10, 2023

+ Can Billy Napier's offense can score enough points to please Gators fans is the question posed by Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times in his latest column …

#Gators fans are known for wanting style points in addition to wins.
So does Billy Ball mesh with Florida's Fun 'n' Gun history? Napier thinks so.https://t.co/xfxjwYyr4h
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) July 11, 2023

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Carter's Carter: All-Star Alonso, Swamp Revamp, Tebow on Ice, More Gators Tidbits

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Carter's Carter: All-Star Alonso, Swamp Revamp, Tebow on Ice, More Gators Tidbits

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