"I think on a personal level, it's gratifying," Alonso said before Tuesday's game against the Marlins in Miami. "It's humbling. If anything, it's more humbling and gratifying and exciting for my parents -- for the community, the friends I have here. I grew up here, so just for my family and everybody around here in the city of Miami, obviously it means a lot to them, and to myself, too."
Alonso entered the day batting .310 with 16 home runs -- seven more than his previous career high -- and 36 RBIs. He's aiming to become the first A's first baseman to win the fan-elected nod since Jason Giambi in 2000.