Former Mallards star, home run champ Alonso makes big donation

'14 Northwoods League MVP cuts two checks

July 10, 2019 3:19 AM

Kevin Lewis,

Posted: July 10, 2019 3:19 AM

Updated: August 31, 2021 12:29 PM

by Kevin Lewis

Alonso's just the third rookie to win the HR Derby (Joyner '86 & Judge '17).
Alonso is donating $100,000 of his winnings to two charities.

Cleveland — Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso didn’t waste time when it came to how he would spend some of his $1 million grand prize. The former Madison Mallards star is donating $50,000 to the Wounded Warriors Project and another $50,000 to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a group that helps families of first responders.

Alonso, a rookie first baseman with the Mets, is making $555,000 this season.

Alonso was the Northwoods League MVP in 2014, hitting .354 with 18 homers and 53 RBIs.

Mallards manager Donnie Scott said he could tell Alonso was something special.

“He’s the only guy that ever scared me when I was coaching third base,” Scott said Tuesday. “If you ever see the umpires down the line, they’re right at the corner of the infield and the outfield. That’s where I’d stand when Pete was hitting.”

Scott said he told a few agents that he had a “gold mine” in Alonso. “It was special coming off his bat. [Pete] worked hard, played hard, everything. He was the total package and it’s paying off now.”

Alonso’s 30 home runs are a team rookie record, and he’s one behind Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich for the Major League lead. He’s batting .280 with an OPS of 1.006 (Yelich’s OPS is 1.140).