Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Entering the 2023 home run derby, the first-round matchup that seemed to get the most hype was a rematch of last year’s semi-finals, Mets‘ Pete Alonso vs. Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez.
Unfortunately for the Polar Bear, he again fell victim to the Dominican superstar as Alonso fell in the first round 42-21, ending his quest for his third home run derby crown.
Alonso’s first-round exit can be pinpointed to two factors: pitching and a hometown hero.
Pitching struggles
A key storyline for Mets fans leaving this derby will be how poor the pitches to Alonso were.