Mancini shines in Derby
Amid a sea of sluggers at Monday’s MLB Home Run Derby at Denver’s Coors Field, Orioles star Trey Mancini’s return from cancer this season took its place on baseball’s grandest stage — and Mancini showed his inclusion wasn’t just a ceremonial one. The Orioles star, who is playing this year after missing all of 2020 battling stage 3 colon cancer, led off the event in his firstround matchup with Oakland Athletics’ Matt Olsen in impressive fashion. Mancini had two home runs a minute in and couldn’t find his swing, but called a timeout and got a Gatorade and a pep talk from teammate Cedric Mullins before going on a tear to end the three-minute regulation round with 19 home runs. Mancini hit five more in the one-minute bonus round to begin the event with 24 home runs and edge Olsen by one to advance to the second round against Colorado Rockies’ Trevor Story.
The Home Run Derby ended too late for this edition. For full coverage, go to baltimoresun.com/sports.