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New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is breaking his five-year streak of participating in the Home Run Derby this season.
Alonso told the New York Post that he “wants to be in the best possible position to help this team win in the second half.”
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Alonso first competed in the Home Run Derby as a rookie in 2019, beating Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the final round to win his first Home Run Derby. Following the COVID-shortened season in 2020, when the All-Star festivities were canceled, Alonso returned to the Home Run Derby in 2021, winning the contest once again, this time over Trey Mancini, becoming the fourth player to win back-to-back Home Run Derbys.
“I’ve never fully enjoyed three off-days,” Alonso also told the Post in regards to the derby. Although he will be in Atlanta as a member of the National League All-Star team, Alonso is looking forward to a break in his routine and preparing for the second half.
The Mets went 12-15 in June and lost control of first place in the National League East to the Philadelphia Phillies. Alonso is set on preparing for the second half and helping the Mets regain the division lead by allowing his body to rest and recover during the All-Star Break.
Alonso went on to say that this isn’t going to be the case for the future, depending on the location of the All-Star Game.
“For 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,” Alonso added.
The chase for Alonso’s third Home Run Derby championship will have to wait until the future when the veteran decides to get back on the horse and give it another chance.
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