Pete Alonso Announces 2023 HR Derby Decision While Mic’d Up on ‘Sunday Night Baseball’

The Mets slugger was asked live whether or not he’d be participating in this year’s event.

While mic’d up for his team’s clash against the Giants on Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN’s Karl Ravech asked Mets slugger Pete Alonso if he’d be participating in this year’s Home Run Derby.

“Selfishly, Pete, I’m sitting up here and I’m thinking, ‘Alonso, All-Star Game.’ Can we do the other thing? Is that something you might want to consider?” asked Ravech.

“I will be participating in the 2023 Home Run Derby,” Alonso said. “You can count me in guys. I’m super stoked to do it, it’s a super-talented field. It’s going to be a great competition, I think this one’s going to be one to remember.”

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

Alonso, of course, is a two-time Home Run Derby champion, having hoisted the competition’s trophy in 2019 and ’21. It’ll mark his fourth appearance at the Home Run Derby, an event he’s participated in each season he’s been in the league except for ’20 when the competition was not held.

This season, the 28-year-old ranks second in MLB with 28 home runs, deadlocked with Braves’ first baseman Matt Olson. Shohei Ohtani leads the league with 31. 

The entire field has not yet been revealed, but Mookie Betts, Julio Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Randy Arozarena will all be participating.