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On Sunday, Julio Rodriguez hit a home run for the Seattle Mariners against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was his ninth big fly of the 2023 season, and it came during the same weekend in which the reigning American League Rookie of the Year agreed to a new partnership with Alaska Airlines.
The sponsorship is already being lauded for its inventiveness and for what it will bring fans. For every home run Rodriguez hits at Seattle's T-Mobile Park, Alaska Airlines will take 44 fans in the section where the ball lands on a free round-trip flight of their choice.
Forty-four lucky fans -- thanks to #44
Rodriguez, who wears #44 for the Mariners, is regarded as one of the best young players in MLB. This sponsorship will likely enhance his reputation locally and nationally.
Rodriguez has started slowly in his sophomore season in the majors, but as the weather heats up, the baseballs might start flying out of T-Mobile Park, where Alaska Airlines will benefit from teaming up with a recognizable young star like Julio.
How many home runs will Rodriguez hit in 2023?
Rodriguez homered on Sunday, bringing his season total to nine -- including six at home in Seattle. The 22-year-old is homering at lower rate in 2023 than he did as a rookie in 2022, when he hit 28 home runs in 560 plate appearances.
Rodriguez will have to catch fire in the coming months to sur his 2022 total, but he just might be starting to come around -- he hit two home runs in three games against Pittsburgh, and is currently on pace to equal his production from last season based on plate appearances and games played.
Given he is signed through 2029, with player options to extend the contract through 2034, Rodriguez will have ample opportunity to make history slugging home runs for Seattle -- and giving fans lifetime memories in the process.