New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is heading to the All-Star Game for a third time. And as he’s done in his previous trips, Alonso will be making the most out of the week and participating in the Home Run Derby.
Alonso was the designated hitter for the Mets in Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants. So, when the Giants were batting in the second inning, Alonso had a relaxed interview with the ESPN crew. After congratulating Alonso for making the National League All-Star team, play-by-play man Karl Ravech asked Alonso, “Can we do the other thing? Is that something you might want to consider?”
Knowing exactly what Ravech was talking about, Alonso quickly confirmed that he’ll participate in the Home Run Derby.
Karl Ravech: "Selfishly, Pete, I'm sitting up here, I'm thinking Alonso, All-Star Game. Can we do the other thing? Is that something you might want to consider?"
Pete Alonso: "I will be participating in the 2023 Home Run Derby. You can count me in, guys." pic.twitter.com/Y32IgxmHFP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 2, 2023
That news got the attention of baseball fans, who were generally excited to hear that Alonso will again be in one of the league’s top events.
POLAR PETE AT THE DERBY AGAIN https://t.co/GSGeLyMNKF
— Infield Fly Girl (@infieldflygrl) July 2, 2023
Pete Alonso says he's in for the HR Derby
YESSS!
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 2, 2023
Pete's genuine love for the Derby is so endearing. https://t.co/GE6aNSqSDI
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 2, 2023
He's going to take his revenge on Julio so seriously. https://t.co/JSDPcnigmI
— Mariner Muse (@MarinerMuse) July 2, 2023
This is going to be a really, really fun Derby field.
Sitting up above 1B and looking forward to the view of someone knocking one onto Royal Brougham. https://t.co/0FYmyQHWAX
— Colin O'Keefe (@colinokeefe) July 2, 2023
Alonso won consecutive Home Run Derbies in 2019 and 2021 (there was no event in 2020) and is one of four players — along with Ken Griffey Jr., Prince Fielder and Yoenis Céspedes — to win the Home Run Derby more than once. He’ll vie to join Griffey as the event’s only three-time winner.
In 2022, he was eliminated in the second round by Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodríguez.
Adding to the intrigue of trying to the record of Griffey — a former Mariners great — and Rodríguez — a current Mariners star — is that the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby will be in Seattle.
