Alonso Set the All-Star Stage Ablaze with a 3-Run Home Run Game-Changing Points

Pete Alonso made headlines Tuesday night not with his usual Home Run Derby theatrics, but with a thunderous opposite-field home run during the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta. Choosing to sit out the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career, Alonso clearly had other plans for delivering fireworks during the Midsummer Classic.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, with the National League leading and runners on base, Alonso turned on a pitch from Kansas City Royals’ Kris Bubic and sent it sailing over the right-field fence. The blast was part of a massive four-run inning that widened the NL’s lead to 6-0, ultimately setting the tone for the rest of the game.

From Boos to Cheers

Earlier in the game, Alonso was booed by the rival crowd during his introduction and first at-bat, a common occurrence for visiting players during the All-Star festivities. But those jeers quickly turned into cheers when the Mets’ slugger delivered one of the game’s most memorable moments.

The power surge was even more meaningful considering Alonso’s decision to skip the Home Run Derby this year—a contest he’s long been synonymous with. Having won the event twice in five appearances, Alonso opted to preserve his strength for the regular season and the All-Star Game itself.

A Historic Swing

The home run was more than just a momentum shift—it marked the first All-Star Game homer by a Mets player since 2006, when David Wright went deep off the Tigers’ Kenny Rogers. Alonso’s shot continues a rich tradition of Mets players making noise during baseball’s biggest summer showcase.

While the game would later include the first-ever swing-off in All-Star Game history, Alonso did not come to the plate in that unique finale. Instead, Phillies’ slugger Kyle Schwarber clinched the win for the NL with three home runs in the second round of swings, sealing a dramatic and highly entertaining conclusion.

Chasing Franchise History

Alonso’s powerful display in Atlanta is just one chapter in what could be a record-setting season. With 247 career home runs, he now sits just five shy of Darryl Strawberry’s all-time Mets record. Barring injury, Alonso is expected to break that mark before the season ends, potentially cementing his place as the most prolific power hitter in Mets history.

🗣️ “To do it here, on a stage like this, it feels incredible,” Alonso said post-game. “But I want to save my biggest moments for the Mets and the rest of the season.”

That mindset reflects a more measured, strategic Alonso in 2025—a player focused not only on individual accolades but also team success and long-term performance.

All-Star Stats and Struggles

Despite being named to five All-Star teams, Alonso hasn’t always shined in the big game. Tuesday night’s home run was just his second hit in seven career All-Star at-bats. His first came in 2019, when he roped a two-run single during his rookie appearance. That year, he also won his first Home Run Derby title, setting the tone for a career that has since become synonymous with elite power.

Alonso entered Tuesday’s game in the bottom of the third inning and lined out in his first at-bat against Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo. But in his second trip to the plate, he delivered the kind of swing that reminds everyone just how dangerous he can be when locked in.

The Derby Decision

Alonso’s decision to forgo the Derby raised eyebrows when it was first announced. Known for his dominance in the event, his absence created an opening for other stars to shine. Yet, as Tuesday proved, Alonso may have made the right call.

His sixth-inning home run was full of strength, balance, and precision, showing none of the fatigue that often follows Derby participants into the second half of the season.

🎤 “Sometimes you have to prioritize what matters most. For me, that’s the season ahead, the team, and being healthy down the stretch,” Alonso said.

The Road Ahead

As the MLB regular season resumes, all eyes will be on Alonso. With the Mets in playoff contention and Alonso nearing a franchise record, the stakes are higher than ever. He has shown leadership, maturity, and a renewed focus—traits that could make the difference in the months ahead.

If his All-Star Game performance was any indication, Alonso is ready to lead the Mets through the dog days of summer and deep into October.

And should he break Strawberry’s home run record along the way? That, combined with his All-Star blast, would make 2025 a season to remember for the man they call the Polar Bear.

Final Thoughts

In a game designed to celebrate the league’s best and brightest, Pete Alonso rose to the moment. His home run in Atlanta wasn’t just a highlight—it was a message: he may have skipped the Derby, but he hasn’t skipped a beat.

With Mets history in sight and the postseason push approaching, Alonso has never looked more focused, dangerous, or determined. And if Tuesday night was just a preview, the best may be yet to come.