Pete Alonso Wins Second Consecutive HR Derby Title

What was expected to be the Ohtani show turned into the Met Gala, starring Pete Alonso. Despite an ESPN camera angle that gave viewers and Ray Charles the same chances of telling what was and wasn’t a homer, the MLB Home Run Derby was a smashing success. Alonso, the Mets’ slugger and defending champ, stole the show en route to his second straight Home Run Derby title.

Alonso wasted little time getting into a groove. In the first round, he blasted 35 bombs, which traveled a total of 15,569 feet. His 35 jacks are an opening round record.

Pete Alonso went NUTS in his first round hitting 35 homers including a 514 foot blast! pic.twitter.com/4QP6DIlkQM

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 13, 2021

Not to be outdone, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto provided their own first round fireworks. The two sluggers traded blast for blast, tying twice, before Soto ultimately advanced by besting Ohtani in a three-pitch swing off.

3 swings, 3 homers.#JuanSoto is CLUTCH. 😤 #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/MfflzwCW5E

— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2021

Alonso cranked out 16 more second round homers to advance to the finals against Baltimore’s Trey Mancini. The Orioles’ first baseman briefly stole the spotlight from Alonso, belting 22 final round homers. But it wouldn’t be enough to top Alonso.

22 homers!!!

What a final round for @TreyMancini! #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/PBLYVMlm3n

— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2021

Nicknamed “The Polar Bear,” Alonso was cool as could be in the final round, hammering 23 dingers to claim the 2021 title, his second consecutive.

Pete Alonso defends his title. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/MtWzlsx9Hm

— Morning Blitz (@Morning_Blitz) July 13, 2021

Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities continue tomorrow night with the league’s All-Star Game from Coors Field in Colorado.