Just yesterday, we learned that New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was set to participate in the home run contest as part of the All-Star Game.
There is no surprise there, since the main interested party seems to take this competition as seriously as a game number seven of the World Series.
The two-time champion of the competition will participate for the fourth time in his career.
After his cousin Derek Morgan threw him in the competition in his rookie season and Dave Jauss did the same job the past two, the big hitter will turn to his teenage coach, Mike Friedline.
According to Alonso, he had made the promise to her fifteen years ago.
Mike, he was my coach when I was a kid, so I made a promise when he threw me batting practice when I was 13 or 14. It’s one of those things when you’re a kid that you dream about. Now that he’s here and I’ve entered a few of these contests, I just wanted to keep my promise.
A great story to follow next week.
Alonso will then be accompanied by Julio Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Mookie Betts and Randy Arozarena. These are only those who have confirmed their attendance, with three other places still available.