Mets slugger Pete Alonso has not been shy about his desire to compete in the Home Run Derby but the rookie is not interested in doing it for the money.
The new $1 million prize MLB enacted this year would be nearly twice Alonso's salary, but if the Mets first baseman were to win the grand prize he would not keep it all.
Instead, Alonso would donate a portion of the potential winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
"Obviously, it's a big purse for the winner," Alonso said. "To be in that moment, to win, it would be awesome if I could just give it back."
Alonso still needs to be invited to participate, of course, but his idea is that he will donate a set sum of cash for every home run he hits in the Derby to the charity.
"That's what I want to do," Alonso said. "I feel really lucky and I feel like all of us are, because without brave men and women who have served this country, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. This sport probably wouldn't exist. We wouldn't have the freedom to do what we do. It's a high price to pay. I just want to recognize all the good things those men and women do for this country."
Alonso has military ties in his family, with his paternal grandfather serving for the United States Army in World War II and maternal grandfather serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.
There is a pretty good chance Alonso will get the invite, too. The slugger entered Saturday's game tied for third in the majors with 17 home runs, tied with George Springer and behind only Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger.