Pete Alonsoâs quest for a third Home Run Derby title will wait.
The New York Mets slugger said Sunday that he declined an invitation to the July 14 event at Truist Park in Atlanta, ending his five-year streak of participation. Alonso won the Derby in 2019 and 2021.
âI decided not to do it this year,â Alonso said via the New York Post. âIâve never really fully enjoyed three off-days. I just want to be in the best possible position to help this team win in the second half.â
Alonso, who also took part in the Derby in 2022-24, was chosen to the All-Star Game for the fifth time. He is slashing .287/.380/.543 with 20 home runs and 73 RBI in 91 games.
The Mets are 52-39, 1.5 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.
When Did Pete Alonso Win the Home Run Derby?
Alonso introduced himself to the Derby in grand fashion as a rookie in 2019, showcasing his prodigious power at Clevelandâs Progressive Field to slug 57 homers. Alonso beat Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the finals, becoming the first Met to win the Derby outright.
After the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 Midsummer Classic, the Mets first baseman returned in 2021 to win the Derby again. Alonso smashed 74 homers at Coloradoâs Coors Field, outlasting Trey Mancini to join Ken Griffey Jr. (1998-99) and Yoenis Cespedes (2013-14) as the only back-to-back Derby champions in history.
Alonso bid for a third consecutive title in 2022 at Los Angelesâ Dodger Stadium but lost in the semifinals to Julio Rodriguez. Juan Soto won the event with 53 homers. Alonso failed to advance beyond the first round in each of the last two years.
Alonso, 30, told the NY Post that heâs open to participating again in the future, but for now is choosing to prioritize rest.
âIt doesnât mean no forever,â Alonso said. âFor me, if the All-Star Game happens at Citi Field or another park I love to hit at like Fenway (Park) or Wrigley Field), for sure. But for me, Iâm not necessarily called to do it.
âI love the event. I didnât feel motivated to do it this year, and I figured Iâd take a break and use it as recovery.â
Who is Participating in the Home Run Derby?
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. fittingly was the first player to commit to this yearâs Derby. Acuna Jr., who has nine homers in 40 games since returning from an ACL tear, will aim to become the fourth player to win the event in his home ballpark following Ryne Sandberg (1990), Todd Frazier (2015) and Bryce Harper (2018).
As of Monday morning, the only other commits were Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 35 homers, and Nationals outfielder James Wood (23 homers).
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