Rob Gronkowski Crushes 320-Foot Home Run, Wins Celebrity Home Run Derby

by Luke Hughes on Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:13PM

Rob Gronkowski is used to scoring touchdowns out on the football field, but on Monday night he took his talents to the baseball diamond instead.

Gronkowski was a guest participant in the Triple-A celebrity Home Run Derby in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y. And in typical Gronk fashion, he put on quite the show.

The Patriots tight end, wearing a special No. 87 All-Star jersey, slammed 17 home runs — he scored the same number of touchdowns in 2011 — over two rounds at the derby and came out wearing the champions crown.

Gronkowski hit five home runs in the first round — all clearing a shorter temporary fence at the Buffalo Bisons’ Coca-Cola Field — and finished off an epic performance with 12 in his second at-bat. The total not only helped Gronk don the champions belt, but he also finishing with 10 more home runs than second-place finisher Russ Brandon, CEO of the Buffalo Bills.

One of Gronkowski’s home runs actually cleared the 325-foot fence in the Bisons’ outfield, an unbelievable show of strength from the tight end.

The other participants that Gronk beat out in the celebrity derby included Brandon, Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson, Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and sportscaster Nick Bakay.

Apparently, Gronk spike has now taken on a whole new meaning.

Photo via Twitter/Matt Harvey

Photo of the Night

More like King Fielder.

Quote of the Night

“I like pleasing people.”
– Prince Fielder before launching 28 home runs and winning his second Home Run Derby crown

Tweet of the Night

It’s tough to be a Prince among so many common folk.

@JustinVerlander has agreed to pitch to me tonight… that should make it fair for the rest of these guys.

— Prince Fielder (@FatCatPrince) July 10, 2012