Former Madison Mallard Pete Alonso defeated Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. to win the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby by a score of 23-22. Alonso beat Indians’ hometown hero Carlos Santana, 13-12, and Ronald Acuña Jr., 20-19 in the first two rounds. Alonso, a rookie for the Mets, currently has 30 home runs at the break. Former Logger Matt Chapman put up a solid home run total but was beat by Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. in the first round. Chapman, who currently has 21 home runs on the season had 13 home runs to Guerrero’s 29.
In 2014 with the Mallards, Alonso hit 18 home runs and was also a mid-season All-Star. In the fourth inning of the 2014 All-Star game hosted by the Lakeshore Chinooks, Wisconsin Rapids shortstop Zack Domingues drew a walk with one out. 2019 MLB All-Star Paul DeJong an alum of the Wisconsin Woodchucks singled to bring Alonso to the plate. Alonso then proceeded to hit a three-run home run to left center field, and the South had a 3-0 lead and went on to win the game. Alonso was selected as the MVP of the game.
“I knew he was going to throw me a fastball, it’s a showcase-type deal,” Alonso said at the time. “I just tried to catch some barrel on the ball and not ground into a double-play…and the ball traveled for me.” The right-handed hitter praised the league for this experience. “Being in the dugout with a Hall of Famer (Robin Yount) was really special…and it was like a big-league atmosphere,” he also said.