New York Mets All-Star Pete Alonso announced he is participating in the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field. Alonso is a two-time Derby champion and looks to tie Ken Griffey Jr.’s MLB record as a three-time champion.
Alonso, now a four-time All-Star, revealed he is competing in the event this year through a post on Instagram.
“I am so honored to be selected as an All-Star and represent the @Mets!,” he wrote in the caption. “I’m excited to announce that I will participate in the Home Run Derby!!!”
Alonso won the Home Run Derby in 2019 as a rookie by defeating Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the championship round. He was crowned champion for a second time in 2021, slugging 23 homers in the final round and 74 total at Coors Field.
Alonso competed in the Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium in 2022 but was eliminated in the second round by then-Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez, who lost in championship round.
Alonso lost to Rodríguez in the first round in 2023.
The 29-year-old has competed in the Derby every season it’s been held since making his MLB debut in 2019. It was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that delayed the start of the season.
The Home Run Derby competition first began in 1985. Griffey won his record three titles in 1994, 1998 and 1999.
The 2024 Home Run Derby features a new format and rules, including players no longer being set to a bracket format in the first round.
Who said no to Home Run Derby?
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Shohei Ohtani expressed interest in a second career Home Run Derby but ultimately decided to skip it due to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery.
New York Yankees teammates Juan Soto and Aaron Judge also are not participating this year. Judge won the event in 2017, and Soto in 2022 at Dodger Stadium.
Alonso, Baltimore Orioles All-Star Gunnar Henderson, Kansas City Royals All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. and Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Alec Bohm are the only confirmed participants for the 2024 Home Run Derby thus far. Witt is a Dallas-area native.
Teoscar Hernández voiced his interest in competing, which could be likely now that he is among the six Dodgers All-Stars.
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