‘Count me in’: Alonso eyes 3rd HR Derby crown
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NEW YORK — Mets slugger Pete Alonso will participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 10 in Seattle, looking to win the event for the third time.
Alonso was selected to his third All-Star team Sunday, and New York’s lone representative on the National League squad will take part in the derby for the fourth time. He joins a field that so far also includes Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez.
“Count me in,” Alonso said Sunday night on the ESPN telecast of the Mets’ game against the San Francisco Giants, which New York won 8-4.
Alonso won the competition in 2019 and 2021. Ken Griffey Jr. (1998-99) and Yoenis Céspedes (2013-14) are the only other back-to-back champions in the history of the event, which began in 1985.
The 2020 edition was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his rookie season, Alonso edged Guerrero 23-22 in the final round with just seconds to spare to claim a $1 million prize.
Two years later, Alonso hit 74 homers at Coors Field in Colorado and won the derby by edging Trey Mancini in the finals.
Last year at Dodger Stadium, Alonso topped Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first round before losing 31-23 to Rodríguez in the semifinals.
Alonso is hitting .221 with 25 homers and 58 RBIs in 76 games this season. He was 2-for-4 Sunday night with a home run, a double and 3 RBIs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
