The MLB All-Star Game will be played in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
One day before that, however, eight sluggers will compete to see who can be crowned as the 2022 Home Run Derby champion.
Pete Alonso, the reigning champion and winner of the last two editions (2019 and 2021) will be in Los Angeles trying to defend his crown.
If he wins, he will become the only person to take three straight derbies and the second three-time winner along with Ken Griffey Jr.
There are some prizes involved for the winners, but the coolest seems to be a chain with the words “Derby Champ,” a crown, and some other cool features.
It's here and it's perfect. Introducing the 2022 derby chain! pic.twitter.com/zeLvawb0y1
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2022
MLB uploaded a 40-second video with details of how the chain was built.
It’s a really cool piece for the person who wins the Derby.
A Strong Lineup For The Derby
Ronald Acuna Jr., Albert Pujols, Jose Ramirez, Julio Rodriguez, Corey Seager, Juan Soto, Kyle Schwarber, and Alonso will offer the show at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.
It will be Pujols’ last Derby, and hopefully he can show he still has that prodigious power that made him the best Latino player ever to step on an MLB field.
Other than that, some of the game’s hottest stars will be taking part.
Acuna, Rodriguez, Schwarber and Soto are incredibly powerful hitters with flair and swagger, and that will only help the derby be more attractive.
However, we can’t count Ramirez, Seager, and especially Alonso out.
Alonso’s swing is built for the Home Run Derby: it’s not a coincidence that he won the previous two editions.
Can he get the cool chain, or will another player dethrone him?
NEXT: Jacob deGrom Appears More Than Ready To Return