Tag: Pete Alonso

Former Gator Pete Alonso is not-so-quietly having a monster year

The New York Mets are on top of the NL East as we near the 100-game mark and former Gators Pete Alonso is a big reason why.

The New York Mets sit atop the NL East as they approach the 100-game mark in the 2022 season, and at the heart of the lineup is none other than former Floirda first baseman [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag].

With 84 runs batted in, Alonso leads not only the national league but all of baseball in the statistical category. His 26 home runs rank third in the NL and he’s in the top five in both slugging percentage and OPS. And he’s done it all in one of the most trying years of his life.

A spring car accident had Alonso’s life flashing before his eyes and it’s something he’s still working to get over today, according to this moving piece he penned in the Player’s Tribune. He’s done work off the field to help those in need with the Alonso Foundation, and on the field he’s all about bringing a championship to New York.

While the Mets have found success with Alonso in the cleanup spot, he’s also been at the center of some mild controversy. The Mets get hit by pitches a lot and Alonso is third in the league in HBPs. Two of those ball were at his head, which is as scary as it gets in baseball. Eventually, the Mets fought back, literally.

Jomboy Media did a good job covering the May scuffle between the Mets and Cardinals, and Alonso’s interactions with a St. Louis coach were focused on fairly heavily.

Then there was the three-peat attempt at the Home Run Derby that wasn’t meant to be. Alonso still made headlines deadlifting and meditating before his turn to hit. He eventually was elimnated in the second round against Julio Rodridguez, who hit 81 combined homer in the event.

It’s been anything but quiet for Alonso this season, but it’s shaping up to be the best one so far in his four-year career. Gators Wire is officially on Polar Bear watch for the rest of the season as Alonso looks to finish out a campaign that could earn him some MVP votes. His fWAR (2.8) might not be pacing for the typical 6.00+ number we see from MVPs, but a hot streak could get him where he needs to be.

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The video of Braves assistant Ron Washington coaching Pete Alonso at first base is just so cool

All class from Ron Washington.

Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington has spent nearly 40 years in professional baseball as a player and coach. And there are few personalities within baseball circles that are more respected and liked than Washington.

He showed everyone why ahead of the MLB All-Star Game this week.

In case you haven’t followed, the Braves and Mets are in a heated race for the NL East title. The Mets once led the Braves by 10.5 games only to see Atlanta cut it down to 2.5 games at the break. Some coaches would keep that in mind when it comes to All-Star Game duties and avoid giving a rival any tools to improve. But that’s not how Ron Washington operates. He was in Los Angeles to do a job, and that job included helping Mets star Pete Alonso.

ESPN’s Marly Rivera shared pregame video that showed Washington coaching Alonso through picks at first base. It didn’t matter that Alonso plays for the Mets. On this day, Alonso was his player, and he saw an opportunity to help the Mets first baseman better himself defensively. Great on Alonso too for the willingness to learn from another team’s coach.

This cool moment didn’t end up on the broadcast, but MLB fans appreciated it on Twitter.

2022 MLB Home Run Derby, live stream, TV channel, time, odds and brackets, how to watch online

The Major League Baseball All-Star Week has arrived and will kick off on Monday night with the Home Run Derby live at Chavez Ravine.

The Major League Baseball All-Star Week has arrived and will kick off on Monday night with the Home Run Derby live from Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine. Can Pete Alonso make it three straight with another win, this time out on the West Coast, or will somebody else step up like Corey Seager since he played with the Dodgers from 2015-2021.

This will be one you won’t want to miss, here is everything you need to know to catch the Home Run Derby tonight.

2022 MLB Home Run Derby

  • When: Monday, July 18
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

2022 Home Run Derby Lineup

  • Pete Alonso, Mets
  • Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
  • Juan Soto, Nationals
  • Ronald Acuña, Braves
  • Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
  • José Ramirez, Guardians
  • Albert Pujols, Cardinals
  • Corey Seager, Rangers

MLB Home Run Derby, First Round Matchups

No. 1 Kyle Schwarber(Phillies) vs.  No. 8 Albert Pujols (Cardinals)

No. 2 Pete Alonso (Mets) vs. No. 7 Ronald Acuña (Braves)

No. 3 Corey Seager (Rangers) vs. No. 6 Julio Rodriguez (Mariners)

No. 4 Juan Soto (Nationals) vs. No. 5 Jose Ramirez (Guardians)

MLB Odds and Betting Lines

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Monday at 6:45 p.m. ET.

Pete Alonso (N.Y. Mets) +200

Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia) +330

Ronald Acuna, Jr. (Atlanta) +600

Juan Soto (Washington) +600

Corey Seager (Texas) +900

Julio Rodriguez (Seattle) +1000

Jose Ramirez (Cleveland) +1600

Albert Pujols (St. Louis) +2200

Want some action on Home Run Derby? Place your legal sports bets on this game or others in CO & NJ at Tipico Sportsbook.

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Pete Alonso’s 10 steps to winning a Home Run Derby, via Jeff Passan

Former Florida Gator and current New York Met Pete Alonso reveals to ESPN’s Jeff Passan his 10 steps to winning the derby.

New York Mets first baseman [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] will look to become the first player in history to win three consecutive home run derby events.

Alonso is just the third player in MLB history to win back-to-back Home Run Derby events after taking home the 2019 and 2021 trophies; the 2020 derby was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yoenis Cespedes (2013 & 2014) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1994, 1998 & 1999) are the only other players since the event’s inception in 1985 to win back-to-back events.

Alonso will take on Braves’ right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first round of this year’s tournament in a battle of NL East foes. Alonso recently sat down with ESPN’s Jeff Passan and revealed to him the 10-step plan he has to winning the derby. The comments after each rule come from yours truly.

  1. Hydrate Like Crazy
    1. It seems like an obvious one but when you’re out there swinging a bat 200 times, hydrating might seem like a good idea.
  2. Get Moral Support
    1. Part of the fun of the HR derby is seeing the competitors and their support groups hanging around in front of the dugouts.
  3. The Opponent Doesn’t Matter
    1. If you think about it, you’re really only competing with yourself.
  4. Find the Right Pitcher
    1. Every kid grows up wanting to have his dad throw him baseballs at the HR derby.
  5. Know Your Zone
    1. The benefit of having a good pitcher is that they know exactly where to throw the ball. You want to highlight your positives and hide your negatives.
  6. Stick to Your Swing
    1. Routine. Routine. Routine.
  7. Use your Timeouts Smartly
    1. You want to make sure that you’re as fresh as possible throughout the round.
  8. Let Your Emotions Out
    1. It’s important to take everything in, but it’s also important to stay focused so you can do your best.
  9. Hit Tanks
    1. Like Uncle Rico, but with a baseball bat.
  10. Have A Blast
    1. What is an exhibition mid-summer tradition if it’s not fun?

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2022 Home Run Derby bracket, betting odds and picks

Pete Alonso is going for a third straight title.

The field for the 2022 Home Run Derby on Monday is officially set and full of interesting storylines.

Of course, the two-time reigning champion Pete Alonso is back to defend his crown and favored to win the event at +200 odds. A third title would tie Ken Griffey Jr. for the most all time, according to Baseball Reference. 2018 runner-up Kyle Schwarber, whose 28 home runs this season rank second in the majors, will also be there. He has the second-shortest odds at +300.

Then there’s Albert Pujols, taking part in the All-Star showcase for the final time. The future Hall of Famer has the longest odds to win at +1800, but what a moment it would be if he could finally claim a Derby victory after four previous cracks at it.

Below is a look at odds for the full field and staff picks for the winner.

Former Gator Pete Alonso will to compete in Home Run Derby, MLB All-Star Game

Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso will compete for his third-straight Home Run Derby crown while also playing in the All-Star Game.

Former Florida Gator and current Mets first baseman [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] will defend his Home Run Derby crown and participate in MLB’s All-Star Game next week in Los Angeles.

Alonso is just the third player in MLB history to win back-to-back Home Run Derby events after taking home the 2019 and 2021 trophies; the 2020 derby was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yoenis Cespedes (2013 & 2014) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1994, 1998 & 1999) are the only other players since the event’s inception in 1985 to win back-to-back events.

Griffey Jr. is the event’s only three-time winner in the event’s history and Alonso is looking to join him as the only three-time champ. If the former Gator wins this year’s event, he would become the first person to win three derbys in a row. The full list of participants will be revealed closer to Monday, July 18th, the date of this year’s event.

Along with attempting to make history, Alonso will also participate in MLB’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 19. He joins Mets teammates Edwin Diaz, Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil as All-Star Games reserves. Alonso is the only former Gator to be named to MLB’s All-Star Game.

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Pete Alonso followed up his mammoth walk-off home run with an even cooler celebration at the plate

Pete Alonso with a fire walk-off home run and celebration.

What’s one way to ease the pain of losing Max Scherzer to injury? How about a walk-off homer to left field to send the Citi Field crowd into a frenzy?

The two-run shot from first baseman Pete Alonso came with the New York Mets trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the 10th inning with one on and no one out. The rocket to left field gave the Mets the 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, which keeps them near the top of the National League standings.

And as if the walk-off wasn’t enough, check out how amazing the celebration was as Alonso trotted the bases and approached his teammates at home plate.

Maybe a little ode to the NBA Playoffs? Jump shots this smooth-looking never miss.

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Pete Alonso responded after getting tackled by Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp

Pete Alonso, totally not mad. Don’t say he’s mad.

The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets gave us the first brouhaha of the 2022 MLB season on Wednesday when a slightly high-and-tight pitch to Nolan Arenado led to benches clearing at Busch Stadium.

The Mets were frustrated about repeatedly getting hit by the pitch in the series, and the Cardinals were probably a bit too sensitive about a pitch that really wasn’t that close to hitting Arenado. Yet, amid all the shouting at home plate, there was some actual contact between the two teams.

It just didn’t go how anyone would have expected.

Footage showed that Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp — a 5-foot-8, 175-pound 49-year-old — actually tackled Mets star Pete Alonso to the ground.

Now, Alonso is one of the more physically imposing players in baseball. He’s 6-foot-3, 245 pounds and known for his tape-measure power at the plate. To get tackled by a middle-aged dude named Stubby — well, he wasn’t too pleased about it. Alonso spoke after the game to give his perspective on the altercation.

He said:

“I’m a big, strong guy. They don’t know my temper. They don’t know what I can do. If I wanted to put someone in the hospital, I easily could, but I was just out there trying to protect my guys.”

Have to give Pete credit there: That was a phenomenal line. Thankfully, no players or coaches were put in the hospital. MLB fans still made jokes about the tackle on Alonso, though.

A livid Nolan Arenado tossed the catcher aside to spark a bench-clearing scuffle with the Mets

BASEBRAWL … kinda.

We have our first (almost) BASEBRAWL of the season, folks.

Tensions had been brewing for much of this three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets amid a flurry of hit by pitches. And on Wednesday, those tensions finally boiled over.

The Mets have complained about their hit by pitch rate this season, which leads the league with 19 hit batsmen — almost twice that of the next closest team. And on Tuesday night, Pete Alonso was hit on the helmet with a pitch for the second time this season, sparking pitcher Chris Bassitt to call out MLB over the baseballs.

Now, come Wednesday’s finale, the Cardinals were probably expecting retaliation from the Mets. But the game generally went smoothly until J.D. Davis was hit on the foot by a pitch and had to leave the game in the eighth inning.

While it’s hard to imagine anyone intentionally hitting a batter on a 3-2 pitch, that 96 mph fastball from Genesis Cabrera had to hurt. So, the Cardinals went into the bottom half of the inning on edge for that possible retribution (because, baseball’s lame unwritten rules and whatnot). Nolan Arenado led off the inning, and as an MLB All-Star, he was an obvious candidate to throw at.

There was just one problem: Mets pitcher Yoan Lopez didn’t really throw at Arenado.

The first pitch of the inning was slightly up and in, but it wasn’t going to hit Arenado even if he didn’t move out of the way.

Arenado didn’t care. He started shouting at Lopez and the entire situation escalated when catcher Tomas Nido — trying to calm Arenado down — got tossed aside. You can see that Pete Alonso was wrestled to the ground during the bench-clearing incident too.

MLB stars are pulling out custom cleats for Jackie Robinson Day and they’re so awesome

These are TORCH.

Jackie Robinson Day is one of the best days of the Major League Baseball season each and every year.

The league pays homage to an absolute icon in Robinson who quite literally changed the trajectory of the sport just by being the first African American to play Major League Baseball.

Simply put, the game isn’t what it is today without Robinson’s contribution and the sacrifices he made. It is undoubtedly something that should be honored.

So, every year, the sport has every player top to bottom wearing Robinson’s number 42 on their jerseys. But some players don’t just stop there — they take things a step further.

How? With custom cleats. Lots of MLB players across the league are wearing Jackie Robinson cleats today. Here are some of the best ones we’ve seen so far.