The New York Mets, yeah, those same Mets who’ve been giving their fans a cardiac workout lately, are still very much alive in the NL East race as we approach that sweet little reset button known as the All-Star break. The bats have cooled, the bullpen’s been shaky, but guess who’s been holding it down like a brick wall in a hurricane? Big Pete Alonso.
Alonso Proving He’s Worth Every Penny for Mets
The Mets dragged their feet a little in the offseason, hemming and hawing about whether to bring Alonso back. The Polar Bear—arguably the face of the franchise, the anchor in the lineup, the guy who sells tickets and jacks dingers. And now? They’re grinning like they just hit the jackpot at a casino. Because Alonso has been cooking. The guy’s slashing a cool .287, already popped 20 bombs, and racked up a whopping 73 RBI. That’s not just solid, that’s All-Star worthy. Fifth selection, to be exact. You don’t luck into five of those.
No Derby, No Problem: Alonso Eyes October
Alonso was invited again to the Home Run Derby in Atlanta—his sixth invite—but this year, he’s sitting it out. That’s right. The two-time champ (yeah, remember 2019 and 2021?) is skipping the fireworks. And not because he’s slowing down—no, sir, the man is in a groove. He said it himself: “I just decided not to do it this year. I want to be in the best possible position to help this team win in the second half.” That’s a guy who’s not just swinging for the fences—he’s swinging for October.
Star Power Opt-Outs Shift Derby Spotlight
And Alonso’s not alone in passing on the Derby party. Kyle Schwarber, Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge also gave it a hard pass. It’s turning into the All-Star Home Run Derby exodus. Why? It could be fatigue, an increased risk of injury, or perhaps the smart ones are thinking long-term.
As of now, only three names are confirmed for the July 14 showdown in Atlanta: Cal Raleigh, James Wood, and Ronald Acuña Jr. That’s still firepower, no doubt—but with some of the game’s heaviest hitters bowing out, it begs the question: are players starting to view the Derby as a distraction instead of a badge of honor?
Either way, the second half’s gonna be a dogfight—and Alonso’s loading up for it. Mets fans, stay tuned. The Polar Bear’s not here for the spotlight, he’s here for the pennant.
