NEW YORK _ There wasn't any hesitation. No hemming about the Home Run Derby, and how it can affect a swing. When league officials contacted Pete Alonso's agents, the agents didn't even need to ask him. They already knew the answer.
"They knew I was about do it," Alonso said. "It's something I always looked forward to it. I grew up kinda of the same person I am now _ kind of just a big power hitter and it's something like, man, hopefully I get to do this one day. I'm really excited and hopefully I get picked for the game, too."
In the age of skeptics _ from Mike Piazza to now Aaron Judge, many a slugger has decided to forego the challenge lest they mess up their swing _ Alonso stood out for his boundless enthusiasm. He already has a natural home run swing _ he had 27 going into Friday _ and intends to be careful in Cleveland.
