Breaking Down Trey Mancini’s Special Home Run Derby Bid

Jul 12, 2021; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is greeted by Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini following his victory in the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2021; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is greeted by Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini following his victory in the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trey Mancini’s performance in the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday is another milestone to add to his incredible comeback story

On Monday, Major League Baseball presented the 2021 Home Run Derby as part of the league’s annual midsummer All-Star festivities. Eight players were nominated to participate in the bracket-style competition, including the Baltimore Orioles‘ very own, Trey Mancini.

Mancini’s acceptance of the invite to the derby was something fans around baseball celebrated when it was reported by The Athletic’s Dan Connolly back in June. At that point, Mancini was just 14 months removed from sharing with the world his diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer. After several months of treatment, Mancini shared that he was officially cancer-free in November of last year and would be working his way back into baseball.

On Opening Day at Fenway Park, Mancini was met with heartwarming ovations from fans in attendance as well as high praise from members of the opposing Boston Red Sox team. Red Sox manager Alex Cora believed before the season even began that what Mancini had fought through to return playing with the Orioles was well-deserving of this year’s Comeback Player of the Year Award:

"“He should be the Comeback Player of the Year, regardless. He can hit .330 or .180. He’s the Comeback Player of the Year already. I know there’s other guys that are going to come back from injuries, but to come back from this is amazing, and he did an outstanding job in spring training, getting ready, you can see the swings, he looks like he’s the same guy as two years ago, and I’m very happy that he’s back. I’m very happy for the Orioles organization to have their leader back, and I think everybody in this clubhouse appreciates that he’s playing again.”"

Now more than halfway through the 2021 season, Mancini hasn’t skipped a beat from the caliber of play he’s showed in 2019. In 362 plate appearances this season, Mancini is slashing .256/.331/.460 with a team-leading 16 home runs.