Social media was abuzz during the Home Run Derby, which represented the next chapter of Trey Mancini’s comeback story after he missed the 2020 season because of colon cancer.

Mancini defeated Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson in the first round with 24 home runs and Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story with 13 homers, but fell just short of the title. His 22 home runs in the final round were topped by New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who also won the Derby in 2019.

Notre Dame pitching coach Chuck Ristano threw to Mancini during the Derby. Mancini played at Notre Dame from 2011-2013. Mancini won the 2012 Big East Home Run Derby with Ristano throwing to him. Mancini told Ristano then that if he ever competed in the Home Run Derby in the big leagues, he would ask Ristano to throw to him again. That vision came true July 12 at Coors Field in Denver.

Mancini will now get a well-deserved three-day break. He hit .256/.331/.460 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs in 362 first-half plate appearances. Here’s a sampling of what social media had to say on the evening of July 12 …

Mancini’s former teammate Adam Jones:

Mancini’s former teammate David Hess:

Orioles reliever Tyler Wells:

Baseball America‘s Kyle Glaser:

WBAL and 98 Rock’s Bobby Trosset:

Sports broadcaster Hazel Mae:

Orioles announcer Kevin Brown:

FanGraphs’ Jon Tayler:

MLB.com Orioles beat writer Joe Trezza:

Barstool Sports’ Eric Arditti:

And finally:

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

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