Sights & sounds of Day 2 at the MLB All-Star Game
We're back for more baseball action from Denver!
Major League Baseball is bringing fans a stacked lineup over the next few days, all building to Tuesday's All-Star Game (coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on FOX).
After Sunday was jam-packed with the Futures Game and MLB Draft, the action continued Monday with media day and the Home Run Derby.
The Derby was an exciting contest with a wave of prodigious blasts from the eight sluggers in the event. In the end, Pete Alonso of the New York Mets came out victorious, defending his title from 2019.
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Here are the highlights from Day 2:
The Home Run Derby got off to a fast start, thanks to Baltimore Orioles' slugger Trey Mancini, who hit 24 home runs to set the tone early.
Mancini's 24 home runs were an early high total, but Trevor Story actually had the farthest recorded home run of the first round — and in Home Run Derby history.
While Mancini set a high bar, Alonso not only cleared it but also blew past it with 35 home runs in his first round.
Then, it finally came time for Shohei Ohtani to bat after a dominant round from Juan Soto, who broke Story's brand-new record. After a slow start, Ohtani managed to catch Soto to force a tiebreaker round.
Each hitter managed to hit six more home runs, which meant one thing: a final swing-off, with three swings each to see who would advance.
Soto managed to hit three home runs, while Ohtani was eliminated with his first swing.
With Soto advancing, the second round was set.
Ohtani was expected to be the star of the night, but Mancini was the star through the first two rounds and the first player to advance to the final.
… where he was soon joined by Alonso.
The final round produced the kind of fireworks that make the Derby special. Mancini put up 22 home runs in his turn, putting the pressure on Alonso.
But Alonso was able to pull off the victory, hitting 23 home runs to repeat as champion.
He is the first repeat Derby champ since Ken Griffey Jr.
Here are the rest of the highlights from Monday:
If you weren't hyped for the Home Run Derby, Mintz explained why it's the best day of the entire baseball year.
He also went back in time to remember one of the most memorable Derbies in MLB history, highlighted by the one and only Griffey.
What a time to be alive.
It wouldn't be a Home Run Derby without some Derby predictions, which Verlander was happy to provide.
Ben Verlander makes his predictions for the 2021 Home Run Derby
On Tuesday, Ohtani will make history as the first player to compete as an All-Star as both a hitter and a pitcher, and he did one better by also competing in the Derby.
How would Ohtani pitch to Ohtani? As difficult as that question is to answer, Moura is glad you asked.
Another great story to keep an eye on is cancer survivor Trey Mancini of the Orioles competing in the Derby with his college coach, with whom he won the Big East Derby back in the day.
The morning began with a practice run on the introductions.
Then Verlander got a chance to ask Ohtani what it means for him to be the first player to participate in the Home Run Derby and pitch and hit in the All-Star Game.
As you can expect, Verlander couldn't quite contain his excitement.
Another West Coast superstar broke out the ice for All-Star week. San Diego Padres All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr. was already in form for the All-Star Game, showing off his jewelry the day before.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is no stranger to managing the NL All-Star team, which means he has had to make a tough decisions on his starting pitcher in the past.
But this year, he said it was an easier call than usual, and he chose to go with Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer.
Scherzer is making his fourth career start in the All-Star Game, which puts him in elite company.
While the All-Star Game is a celebration of MLB's current crop of talent, Cincinnati Reds All-Star Nick Castellanos took time to reflect on one of the game's all-time greats in Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera.
St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Nolan Arenado is making the sixth All-Star appearance of his career — but it's his first time not representing the Colorado Rockies.
Although he is now on an opposing team, the love is still there between Arenado and Colorado.
'I love everything about this place' -- Nolan Arenado on returning to Colorado
Even with the break from the everyday grind of the 162-game season, Chicago White Sox star Tim Anderson is looking ahead and detailed what his team needs to do to stay atop the AL Central in the second half of the season.
Ahead of the All-Star Game, Verlander was able to catch up with Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes and talk about his rise to being an elite pitcher.
Brewers' pitcher Corbin Burnes on how he's turned the corner this season
Also, everybody was ready with their Derby predictions. Alex Rodriguez picked New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, Frank Thomas picked Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers, and David Ortiz didn't quite make a selection.
A few All-Stars also offered their predictions for who would take the crown Monday.
In a Derby preview, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman called their shots on where each contestant's homers could land.
MLB HR Derby landing spots are halfway to the moon!
The stars were out in Denver — and not just those in uniform. David Ortiz and Peyton Manning were in the outfield, ready to catch home runs, well before the event started.
Ortiz also found some time to connect with Nationals star Juan Soto before he participated in Monday's main event.
Joey Gallo offered his thoughts on what it'll be like to compete against the host city's biggest star.
Rangers' OF Joey Gallo on facing hometown Trevor Story in the Home Run Derby
Brandon Crawford opened up about the Giants' surprising first half.
Brandon Crawford on Giants' surprising first-half dominance
Finally, Aaron Judge provided his assessment of the rivalry between his team and the Astros.
'That's one of my favorites every year' -- Aaron Judge on Yankees-Astros rivalry
Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. placed on IL after season-ending knee injury
2024 MLB Power Rankings: Yankees or Phillies No. 1?
Ronald Acuña Jr. Roundtable: How his ACL injury changes Braves' fortunes, NL landscape
Shohei Ohtani says he lost sleep due to ex-translator's alleged theft
José Ramírez's reaction to Angels pitching around him: 'I'm better than Barry Bonds'
2024 MLB MVP odds: Ronald Acuña Jr.'s ACL injury tears into the oddsboard
Mets prove they're 'not out of it' in rally vs. Giants, but the clock is ticking
Reuniting Rickey Hill with his ring, 37 years later
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Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. placed on IL after season-ending knee injury
2024 MLB Power Rankings: Yankees or Phillies No. 1?
Ronald Acuña Jr. Roundtable: How his ACL injury changes Braves' fortunes, NL landscape
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Shohei Ohtani says he lost sleep due to ex-translator's alleged theft
José Ramírez's reaction to Angels pitching around him: 'I'm better than Barry Bonds'
2024 MLB MVP odds: Ronald Acuña Jr.'s ACL injury tears into the oddsboard
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Mets prove they're 'not out of it' in rally vs. Giants, but the clock is ticking
Reuniting Rickey Hill with his ring, 37 years later
