2023 Home Run Derby: Pete Alonso faces boos in battle with Julio Rodriguez
The New York Mets first baseman and former National League rookie of the Year Pete Alonzo is one of eight participants in the 2023 Home Run Derby happening on the Seattle Mariners home field at T-Mobile Park. And while most participants in the Home Run Derby are cheered by the fans in attendance, unfortunately, Alonzo found himself being welcome to the plate to the roar of boos.
It’s not as if Alonzo plays for a rival club or anything to receive that kind of welcome. No, unfortunately for him, his opening-round opponent was none other than Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. You can check out all the love Alonzo received from the Seattle fans and MLB fans in attendance in the video below.
Entering into the 2023 Home Run Derby, Alonzo was the second seed and was tied for home runs on the season with the top seed this year, Chicago White Sox slugger Louis Robert Jr. He entered this year’s competition with 26 home runs in the season with his longest hit homer recorded at 448 feet and his highest exit velocity reached on a homer at a speed of 113.7 mph.
Alonzo, a two-time Home Run Derby champion winning the crown in 2019 and 2021, has found himself facing Rodriguez in back-to-back derbies. And just like in 2022, the Seattle outfielder bested the New York first baseman in their head-to-head showdown. However, this year Rodriguez beat Alonzo in historic fashion.
Rodríguez puts up monster 41 to break single round home run record
Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez set Home Run Derby record with 41 homers in his first round matchup Monday with New York Mets star Pete Alonso.
He capped off the round with a monstrous bat flip to the hometown fans in Seattle.
The previous record for homers in the first round was 32 set by Rodriguez last season. Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit 40 in a second-round swing off in 2019.
Rodriguez was the No. 7 seed in the tournament while Alonso, a two-time MLB Home Run Derby champion, was the No. 2 seed. Alonso finished with just 21 homers to be eliminated.
The two had faced off in the semifinals last year with Rodriguez beating Alonso, 31-23. Rodriguez lost in the final to Juan Soto.
Rodríguez advanced to face Guerrero in the second round.