ARLINGTON, Texas — Pete Alonso made history at the Home Run Derby, just not enough of it.
Gunning for his third Derby title that would have tied him with Ken Griffey Jr. for most all time, Alonso bowed out quietly in a 12-homer first round Monday at Globe Life Field.
Simply in trying, Alonso was rare.
While other stars might dabble in the Derby but stop after a competition or two — Aaron Judge (2017 champion) and Juan Soto (2022 champion) watched Alonso compete from behind first base — Alonso keeps returning.
He became the eighth slugger to compete at least five times.
Alonso brought back his 2021 pitcher, Dave Jauss — the former Mets bench coach who is now an adviser in the Nationals organization — but they could not recapture the magic.
Alonso, who walked up to the plate to Jose Iglesias’ “OMG,” had just nine home runs previous to the bonus round.
The new Derby format — which opened the initial field, getting rid of the head-to-head aspect until the second round, and limited hitters to 40 pitches — meant that only four hitters would advance, and Alonso was fifth after five competitors.
The fans still appreciate Alonso’s willingness, and he believes his younger self does, too.
“I just have so much fun doing it,” Alonso said beforehand. “I’m doing it for my old self, my 7-year-old self.”