We have a new Home Run Derby champion this year.
After New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso won it in 2019 and in 2021, Juan Soto pulled it out this year, ending Alonso’s run at the top and denying him a Derby three-peat.
But that doesn’t change the way Alonso prepares for the Derby, nor how seriously he takes it.
He put on a show in the first round, knocking out the No. 7 seed Ronald Acuna Jr.
However, he was unable to get past Julio Rodriguez in the second round.
But ESPN cameras caught him meditating before he stepped up to the plate for the next round.
Sports analyst Lance Zierlein tweeted a photo of Alonso doing his meditation, and said he hoped that his kids take school as seriously as Alonso takes the Derby.
I pray that one day my kids take school as seriously as Pete Alonso takes the home run derby. pic.twitter.com/0NavReeV8j
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) July 19, 2022
Alonso’s Meditation
It’s interesting to see Alonso try and stay so hyper-focused for the Home Run Derby.
It’s more than just a celebratory event for him.
He wants to win it every year and each time he goes out there, he’s hungry for more.
Though he couldn’t win it this year, you know that if he’s an All-Star next year, he’ll want to come back and do the Derby again and take home yet another crown.
Alonso really takes this seriously and wants to win each time he goes out there.
He wasn’t satisfied with one or even two Derby crowns.
And if he ever wins a third one, he won’t be satisfied with that either.
Alonso knows what he wants and knows how to get locked in for an event such as this.
The Derby is everything to Alonso and he enjoys the competition.
NEXT: Pete Alonso Is Chasing History Monday Night