Mets’ Pete Alonso to defend Home Run Derby crown; Blue Jays’ Vlad Jr. out

June 23 (UPI) — New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso announced Wednesday he will compete in this year’s Home Run Derby and defend his 2019 title.

“I had so much fun during the first one, so I was like, ‘You know what? Let’s do it again,” Alonso told reporters. “I just had a blast. It’s a really special moment, and as long as I have an opportunity to do it, I want to do it. Because it’s something I always dreamt about as a kid. … It was a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said Wednesday he will skip the event. He fell short by one home run in the 2019 Derby.

Guerrero, who is tied for the MLB lead with 23 homers this season, said he decided to forgo the event to “take care of myself physically and mentally.”

“I feel good physically,” Guerrero said through an interpreter. “Everything is going well. There is a long way to go still. I just want to keep it that way.”

The 26-year-old Alonso, who has 11 home runs this year, won the Home Run Derby crown the last time it took place — in 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Alonso edged Guerrero by a score of 23-22 in the last round to win the title.

This year’s Derby is scheduled for July 12 at Coors Field in Denver. Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani, who has 23 homers this season, will join Alonso at the tournament.

Cleveland Indians’ Shane Bieber delivers a pitch to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Tuesday. The Indians won 10-1. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Indians’ Jose Ramirez (R) is greeted by teammate Eddie Rosario after hitting a three-run home run. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Fans in the right-field seats attempt to catch the three-run home run ball off Ramirez’s bat. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Chad Kuhl throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Marlins won 3-1. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

The Marlins’ Yimi Garcia (L) celebrates the 3-1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates with teammate Starling Marte. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

The Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. scores in the sixth inning. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ Angel Rondon makes his major league appearance to deliver a pitch against the Reds. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Reds’ Tyler Stephenson is tagged out by the Cardinals’ Andrew Knizner as he tries to get back to third base. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Reds’ Jesse Winker (L) is congratulated at home plate by teammate Jonathan India after hitting a two-run home run. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ Tyler O’Neill (L) is congratulated at the dugout by teammate Carlos Martinez after hitting a two-run home run. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ broadcaster Mike Shannon waves to the crowd from the KMOX radio booth after the public address announcer told the fans that Shannon will retire after 50 years behind the microphone. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

India sidesteps as he touches home plate, hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, on Saturday. The the Reds won 5-2. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ Johan Oviedo delivers a pitch against the Reds. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ Tommy Edman slides safely past the Reds’ Tucker Barnhart to score from second base on a single. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ Yadier Molina looks to the stands. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The flag of Puerto Rico is waved by a woman from a suite as the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina bats. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo