Home Run Derby chain, explained: How Pete Alonso, Daddy Yankee inspired MLB's newest tradition

David Suggs

Home Run Derby chain, explained: How Pete Alonso, Daddy Yankee inspired MLB's newest tradition image

There's more at stake than the home run crown at the 2024 Home Run Derby in Seattle.

Not only will winners be presented with the beloved trophy, which features two stainless steel bats intersecting over one another.

This year, the last man standing in the competition will also receive his own personalized piece of drip: a Home Run Derby chain.

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Home Run Derby chain, explained

It's glistening. It's gaudy. And it's the perfect prize for one of baseball's most beloved events.

The chain, speckled with glimmering diamonds, is a sight to behold. The Texas-themed chain weighs 995 grams and consists of 915 diamonds, taking the shape of a belt buckle. 

Whoever claims the glitzy award will most certainly have to thank Mets slugger Pete Alonso. Alonso, who is seeking his third career Home Run Derby title, donned a medallion gifted to him by famed Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee after claiming his first Derby trophy in 2019. It even rotated!

When Alonso repeated as Derby champion in 2021, he rocked another chain. Adorned with streaks of gold, last year's chain was shaped like a baseball diamond. Alonso wore it proudly.

The 2023 Derby brought with it another chain, this one of the golden variety. Last year's version shined a light on the franchise hosting its festivities, one that has become a crucial fabric of the Pacific Northwest sporting scene over the past few decades.

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Alonso has to be one of the favorites in this year's competition. Regardless, whoever claims this year's title as the league's most fearsome power hitter will get a feature piece to add to their closet, too.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.