CLEVELAND -- One of baseball's brightest young stars, Pete Alonso is preparing to take part in his first career MLB All-Star Game.
And with the exhibition occurring in Cleveland, this week also serves as a homecoming of sorts of the New York Mets first baseman.
Alonso is a native of Tampa, but he's no stranger to the Buckeye State. Both of his parents are natives of Lancaster, which is located 30 miles southeast of Columbus.
"My parents are hometown sweethearts from Ohio, and my entire mom's side is from here, and from here in the greatest state ever," Alonso said. "I'm excited. It's going to be a family affair. I have a bunch of people in town. It's going to be a blast. I'm really excited."
Alonso's praise for Ohio drew laughs and even some ire. One reporter, who happened to attend the University of Michigan, jokingly questioned the 24-year-old Alonso's assessment of the Buckeye State by stating that "I didn't realize we were in the greatest state ever."
"O-H," Alonso replied when the moderator of the press conference informed him the reporter was a U-M alum.
In what is just his rookie season, it hasn't taken Alonso long to establish himself as one of baseball's best young players. In 89 games, he's hit for a .280/.372/.634 slash line to go along with 30 home runs and 68 RBIs. On Monday, he'll take center stage at the MLB Home Run Derby at Progressive Field, where he's scheduled to face off with Indians first baseman Carlos Santana in the first round.
