Mets: Million Dollar Man Pete Alonso is the 2019 Home Run Derby Champion

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso wins the 2019 Home Run Derby against the hometown All-Star and a pair of second-generation stars.

New York Mets fans know Monday July 8th was not Pete Alonso’s first Home Run Derby. He has been in a season-long one, smashing 30 home runs in the first half of the season. The rookie first baseman is shattering records and only needs 12 to set a single-season franchise record.

Those who haven’t been paying attention to the Mets first baseman got their first glimpse of just how powerful he is. The rookie All-Star joined in on the 2019 Home Run Derby with some high expectations and a big challenge ahead of him.

In round one, Alonso went up against the hometown representative, Carlos Santana of the Cleveland Indians. The Polar Bear disposed of him with 14 home runs to Santana’s 13. The fans didn’t react too kindly to seeing Alonso eat up Santana. Can you blame them? We would have done the same at Citi Field.

In the second round, this time against Ronald Acuna Jr. of the rival Atlanta Braves, Alonso won with 20 home runs to his 19. This was equally as rewarding of a victory. The Braves have stomped on the Mets plenty this year. To get a victory is a reward.

The final round included Alonso’s toughest competition of the night. This time, now up against another rookie, he would take on second-generation star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero Jr. took down Joc Pederson in a third overtime round. He wasn’t tired, though. Leading off the finals, Guerrero Jr. hit 22 dingers.

In need of his best round yet, Alonso struck 23 home runs to take down one of the competition’s fiercest competitors of all-time. In doing so, Alonso became the first Mets player to win the Home Run Derby. Darryl Strawberry previously shared the honor with Wally Joyner in 1986.

In a year without many good things to say about the Mets, Alonso has been a constant symbol of positivity. Both on the field with his play and off the field with his attitude, he’s someone all fans can love and enjoy.

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The Home Run Derby secured his awesomeness. Now the rest of the baseball world can envy what Mets fans have known all year long: nobody hits home runs like the Polar Bear does.