Baseball world reacts as Alonso claims second straight Home Run Derby crown

Shannon Coulter @_shannoncoulterJuly 12, 2021 - 11:38pm

Watch as Mets slugger Pete Alonso hits the “walk-off winner” at the Home Run Derby, beating Trey Mancini for the title.

Pete Alonso has won the MLB Home Run Derby for the second consecutive year, defeating Trey Mancini in the final round of the competition.

Alonso joins Yoenis Céspedes and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to repeat as Home Run Derby champion in back-to-back derbies. The 26-year-old New York Mets star beat Mancini 23-22 in the final round.

Mancini made an impressive run to the final to face Alonso, beating Matt Olson and Trevor Story in the earlier rounds. The 29-year-old battled through colon cancer last year and returned to the field earlier this season for the Baltimore Orioles.

Shohei Ohtani put on a show in the first round against Juan Soto, sending their match-up to a double-tiebreaker. Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Soto hit three consecutive homers in their three-swing tiebreaker to seal his spot in the next round.

With several exciting storylines, baseball fans certainly enjoyed the game’s best hitting dingers on Monday.

HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!

Pete Alonso is your back-to-back #HRDerby champion! pic.twitter.com/fdxzIexkon

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 13, 2021

All 74 of Pete Alonso's #HRDerby homers.

TWENTY of these were 475+ feet. pic.twitter.com/QLf0lACHiu

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 13, 2021

Pete Alonso tonight in the #HRDerby: 74 home runs.
The Pittsburgh Pirates in the first half of the season as a team: 74 home runs.

— Robert Aitken Jr. (@RobertAitkenJr) July 13, 2021

Respect after an epic battle. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/8yDnIuLLvc

— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2021

In the biggest twist of the 2021 season thus far, it turns out the only guy who can keep Shohei Ohtani in the ballpark is Angels coach Jason Brown.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) July 13, 2021

I honestly think Pete Alonso is the greatest HR Derby monster ever.

He just hit HR in his last 6 swings to end this thing.

Nobody has ever had a more fun 73-homer evening than this guy!

Has anyone ever typed that sentence before?

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 13, 2021

Some kind of strength on display by Pete Alonso in every round. That was ridiculous and entertaining TV tonight #HRDerby

— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) July 13, 2021

Shoutout, @TreyMancini.

An inspiration to us all. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/wpkFfhwtTk

— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2021

Putting the O in WARRIOR.

Respect to @TreyMancini pic.twitter.com/sr13dyGNnL

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 13, 2021

After a resilient runner-up finish in Monday night's #HRDerby competition, beloved Oriole Trey Mancini and his rock @saraperlman share a special moment. pic.twitter.com/FiuDTB8Pnc

— Bobby Trosset (@bobbywbal) July 13, 2021

Just gonna leave these 2 pics here. Goodnight Mets fans!! #HRDerby #PeteAlonso pic.twitter.com/fXpLJVcKyC

— Jordan |Jordy| (@metsjordy96) July 13, 2021

Pete Alonso, 2019-21

Contract earnings: $1,473,449
HR derby winnings: $2,000,000

— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) July 13, 2021

Shohei Ohtani has hit home runs of both 500 and 513 ft

LOVE THIS

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 13, 2021

Tip of the cap to Soto, he relished the challenge. That was terrific.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 13, 2021

Shohei Ohtani is the most fascinating athlete I can ever remember watching.

— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 13, 2021

Did your #HRDerby bracket look like this? pic.twitter.com/7trAYETR3K

— All-Star Game (@AllStarGame) July 13, 2021

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