In the first half of 2019, the New York Mets have been underwhelming, to say the least. After making big moves in the offseason, the first year General Manager, Brodie Van Wagenen, has seen his club go 40-50 through 90 games, placing the amazins’ fourth in the National League East.
However, the first half of the New York Mets’ 2019 season has also brought promise, as SNY and long-time Mets Broadcaster, Gary Cohen, has gotten the opportunity to scream, “It’s outta here!”, for rookie sensation, Pete Alonso, 28 times as the juggernaut passed Daryl Strawberry for most home runs by a Mets rookie in a season with ease.
Forever etched in Mets lore, Strawberry won NL Rookie of the Year by hitting 26 homers in 122 games in 1983. “The Straw” congratulated Alonso via the Mets, stating “what he’s done in a short period of time is most impressive. No goal seems out of reach.”
Well, last night, Strawberry’s comments would show the truth, as Pete Alonso became the second rookie New York superstar in the last three seasons to, not only break the rookie homers record in a season for their ball club but win the Home Run Derby event during All-Star week.
In 2017, the world paid witness to a 30 homer first half from Yankees’ powerhouse, Aaron Judge, as the larger than life phenom would turn Marlins Park in Miami, Florida into a little league field, getting passed Miguel Sano with ease in the derby’s final round, with 47 home runs total.
In 2019, the world would pay witness to another New York star, as Pete Alonso smashed a total of 57 homers, defeating Blue Jays’ phenom, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., in the process, who absolutely shocked Cleveland to their very core, by clobbering 91 total home runs throughout the night.
In the first round, Guerrero set a new mark, breaking Josh Hamilton’s record of 28 home runs in one round, set 11 years ago at the old Yankee Stadium in 2008, by connecting for 29 long balls, defeating Matt Chapman in convincing fashion, as the A’s third baseman could only muster 13 long balls.
Vladdy would then edge out Dodgers’ Joc Pederson in arguably the biggest performance in HR Derby history by launching 40 home runs in the semifinals to advance to the event’s final round, after going to two tie-breaking swing swing offs with Pederson, who launched 39 home runs in the round.
Guerrero’s historic and rather gutty performance in rounds one and two may have ultimately cost him the title, as Guerrero would tire out in the finals by only launching 21 home runs (yes, only 21).
After edging out both Indians’ Carlos Santana and Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr., Alonso was in prime position, already following a previous hitter in each of his first two rounds. Guerrero had finished with 91 total home runs in the derby when Alonso stepped in with only 34, however, the Mets’ rookie had a chip on his shoulder, looking to come away with the $1 million dollar prize.
“I love what I do, and I love the support that the Mets fans give us,” Alonso said when being asked about Mets fans supporting him in the derby. “I think they are some of the best fans in baseball because whether the team’s doing well or not doing well, they’re still coming out to the games. The amount of passion they have is unbelievable.”
“And I think they’re the most loyal fans in baseball because it’s very easy to hop on a bandwagon — especially, we have the Yankees and they’ve got 27 World Series [titles]. For people to stay true to the Mets and not deviate, I think that’s a sign of loyal fans. Our fan base is unbelievable. I want to be able to show them how much I appreciate them being loyal and as passionate as they are.”
Alonso and his vicious swing clubbed 22 home runs in the final round to outlast Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to win the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby event, becoming the first Florida Gator to win the prestigious event. However, Alonso was more excited to have won the event in a state that is very dear to his heart.
“My parents are hometown sweethearts from Ohio, and my entire mom’s side is from here … in the greatest state ever, and I’m excited.”
“It’s crazy to be not just in the Derby, but an All-Star as a rookie,” Alonso shared. “I’m really happy with the impact I’ve had on my team, just trying to help us win. I’m just thankful and blessed. I’m looking to make the most of this and enjoy everything.”
Pete Alonso brings home the derby crown, as his amazins’ look to turn around an underwhelming season thus far by claiming back into the race in the NL East. Pistol Pete’s 30 home runs have been the stepping stone of the Mets’ 2019 campaign, and the baseball world is excited to see how far he can hit a baseball in the second half.
