Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez will participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby, chosen by National League captain David Wright in place of the injured Carlos Gonzalez.
Many Pittsburgh fans were up in arms after Alvarez, tied for second in the NL with 23 homers, was not picked for the home run-hitting contest at New York’s Citi Field. Mets third baseman David Wright selected Gonzalez, Bryce Harper and childhood friend Michael Cuddyer to the NL team, even though Alvarez and Philadelphia’s Domonic Brown both had more home runs than Harper or Cuddyer.
Wright was expected to receive boos from Pirates fans during the Mets’ weekend series at PNC Park.
“Obviously our fanbase will have an opportunity to show their feelings this weekend,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle joked this week after Alvarez was not chosen. “We have a passionate group here in Pittsburgh.”
Alvarez is in now, getting the opportunity to swing for the Home Run Derby title in his hometown of New York City. The 26-year-old becomes the fifth Pirates hitter to hit in the Derby, joining Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds, Jason Bay and Andrew McCutchen, none of whom won the contest.
