Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna will 'put on a show' at this year's Home Run Derby
“The Big Bear” is looking to hit some Texas-sized homers this month. Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna confirmed on Monday that he will take part in the Home Run Derby during MLB’s All-Star week festivities.
“This is a big moment for me and my family and I’m beyond excited to put on a show for the fans,” Ozuna wrote on Instagram. “@braves Country you have been amazing and I promise to continue to give you guys my all in Texas!”
Ozuna joined the Braves in 2020. He is tied for fourth for most home runs in the majors this season with 23. Ozuna also made the All-Star team as a reserve alongside Braves pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez.
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr., Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm also have committed to the July 15 event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The All-Star Game takes place the following day.
Alonso made the announcement Sunday night on Instagram. He’s trying to win the derby for the third time.
Ken Griffey Jr. is the only three-time champion of the derby, which started in 1985, winning in 1994, 1998 and 1999.
Alonso won the competition in 2019 as a rookie at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, edging Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero 23-22 in the final round, then repeated in 2021 at Denver’s Coors Field, beating Baltimore’s Trey Mancini by the same score. There was no derby in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
WABE’s Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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