Home Run Derby championships aren’t listed on Hall of Fame plaques.
The event simply does not carry that level of prestige. The Derby is, as its critics like to point out, glorified batting practice. But the Derby isn’t about sophistication — it’s about spectacle. Mainly, it’s about the thrill of watching the world’s finest athletes demonstrate their brute strength in a format that kids can imitate in the backyard.
Pete Alonso is the ideal Home Run Derby participant because he embodies the essence of the Derby. The self-described “goofy kid who diesels baseball” knows that the Derby demands showmanship and an unadulterated zeal for crushing dingers.
In an age when players routinely reject their Derby invites out of sheer apathy or fear of messing up their swings, Alonso has embraced the event as a showcase for his unique baseball brand. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t an All-Star this season: the allure of defending his title was simply too enticing to pass up. The game’s unwritten rules don’t apply to the Derby, and the lack of decorum has been liberating for Alonso.
Make no mistake: Alonso takes the contest seriously. He’s intent on winning, and believes that his titles have cemented him as “the best power hitter on the planet.” But when he’s not meditating and visualizing his success between rounds, the Polar Bear is bopping his head to Nas and hyping up the crowd like Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania.
Alonso’s 2019 Home Run Derby win was just one storybook moment in a rookie season for the ages. In that contest, Alonso overcame inconsistent pitching from his cousin Derek Morgan to overtake Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the finals. His second shot at Derby glory was less challenging; with 64-year-old bench coach Dave Jauss as his pitcher, Alonso barely broke a sweat in a notoriously tiring competition.
Armed with the confidence he gained from his previous win, Alonso set the Derby standard for both performance and attitude. The “act like you’ve been there,” keep-your-head-down approach has its place, but the Home Run Derby calls for swagger and a touch of boastfulness. In a sport that stresses teamwork, the Derby is an event designed to celebrate individuality.
So while Alonso doesn’t have the international appeal of a Shohei Ohtani or the graceful swing of an Aaron Judge, he does possess the kind of enthusiastic bombast that can make the Home Run Derby pure bliss. He also has the natural uppercut, limitless stamina, and uninhibited passion needed to draw younger fans to the game. His regular season performance may be inconsistent, but one thing is certain: Alonso was made for the Home Run Derby.
