David Wright reacts to Pete Alonso's HR Derby decision, Mets' HR record pursuit

New York Mets slugger and two-time Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso elected not to participate in this week's Derby because he wanted to ensure he is in "the best possible position to help this team win in the second half." 

Meanwhile, former Mets captain David Wright will have his No. 5 retired ahead of Saturday's home game versus the Cincinnati Reds. For a piece published on Friday, Steve Serby of the New York Post asked Wright about Alonso's team-first All-Star week decision. 

"I competed in two of those, and it wears you out physically," Wright said about the Derby. "So to be able to just focus on that All-Star Game and not have to prepare for the Home Run Derby and then take all those swings and take all the extra swings in between the rounds, I think will do [Alonso's] body some good for the second half."

Alonso's productive second half led the Mets to a 55-42 record, trailing only the 55-41 Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East standings. Per ESPN stats, he entered Friday leading the 2025 Mets with a .280 batting average, a .908 OPS, 77 RBI, and is second on the team with 21 home runs. 

Alonso is just six homers away from becoming the all-time franchise leader in that category. Wright is third on the list with 242 round-trippers that he accumulated while playing only for the Mets from 2004 until his injury-plagued career ended in 2018. 

"I can’t think of another player — I mean, Aaron Judge — but with more raw power than Pete Alonso," Wright added about Alonso's pursuit of the record currently held by franchise icon Darryl Strawberry (252 career home runs). "He makes Citi Field look so small. It’s a great pitchers’ park, and he makes it look like a Little League field. I’ve been on the field when he takes his batting practice, and the ball just makes a different sound off of his bat. It’s just coming out so much hotter and the sound is just so much different than pretty much any other hitter in baseball."

Like Wright, Alonso could retire a one-club man if he and the Mets can come to terms on a long-term contract (assuming he opts out of his existing deal following this season, as expected). 

Perhaps Saturday's festivities at Citi Field will give Alonso something extra to think about regarding future discussions his camp will have with Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president David Stearns.