Pete Alonso just swung his way into New York Mets history-and this moment felt as inevitable as one of his towering blasts off the bat.
With one swing in the third inning at Citi Field, Alonso launched his 253rd career home run, overtaking Darryl Strawberry for the all-time franchise record. For context, that’s a milestone that stood untouched since the early ’90s. Now, it’s the Polar Bear’s throne, and he took it in fitting fashion-with authority.
Facing Braves ace Spencer Strider, Alonso turned on a pitch and sent it 387 feet into the visitors’ bullpen, breaking out of the team’s slump and pushing the Mets’ lead to 5-1. It was a much-needed spark in the middle of a tough seven-game skid, and the Citi Field crowd responded accordingly-jumping to their feet, roaring in approval, and delivering an ovation that shook the park.
Alonso, never shy in the big moments, fed off the energy. He rounded the bases with palpable emotion, met by teammates Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil at home plate, then threw a fist into the air in celebration.
Even after the dust had settled and he returned to the dugout, the fans weren’t done-and frankly, neither was Alonso. After a sustained chant of his name, he stepped back onto the field for a curtain call, soaking in every bit of the adoration.
And who could blame him? This was history.
Of course, Alonso is no stranger to rewriting the record books. In 2019, his electric rookie campaign saw him club 53 home runs, topping Aaron Judge’s previous mark and setting a new MLB standard for rookies. That record has stood ever since, and Tuesday night’s blast is just another chapter in what’s quickly becoming one of the more dominant power-hitting resumes in baseball.
And he’s not done yet-not even close.
Next on Alonso’s radar: the Mets’ all-time RBI record. David Wright currently sits atop that leaderboard with 970 RBIs.
Alonso, with 702 entering the night, is creeping closer. Still trailing Strawberry (733) for second place, he needs only 64 more to pass him and 268 more to catch Wright entirely.
That may sound like a stretch in the short term, but for Alonso, who continues to average significant run production year after year, it’s well within the realm of possibility if he stays in Queens.
That leads to the ever-present question looming over his future. Alonso’s in the first year of a two-year, $54 million deal that features a player opt-out after this season.
And the way he’s producing-batting .267 with 27 home runs and 95 RBIs, ranking third in the league-that opt-out is likely coming. He’s lining himself up for a major payday, either a longer stint in New York or a blockbuster deal elsewhere.
Wherever he ends up, Alonso’s power is the real deal, and now he’s etched into Mets lore forever. With the home run crown now firmly on his head, he’s not just chasing legends anymore-he’s becoming one.
