On a night filled with excitement, Pete Alonso hit his 252nd career home run, tying the historical record for the New York Mets, a mark held by Darryl Strawberry for 37 years. Alonso’s home run came on Saturday night against Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Tobias Myers, at the start of the second inning. The ball, driven 413 feet to left-center field, was the result of a 1-2 pitch in the strike zone. This was Alonso’s fourth home run in eight games, since he hit one on August 1 against San Francisco, ending an 0-19 slump.
Due to a personal situation, Alonso was unavailable to speak with reporters after the game, according to a Mets spokesperson. The home run that tied the record came in the same stadium where Alonso hit the most important home run of his career last October, although that one didn’t count towards his regular season total. The three-run homer in the ninth inning against All-Star closer Devin Williams saved New York’s season and led the Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Brewers in the decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series. Alonso, a homegrown star and drafted by the Mets in 2016, burst onto the Major Leagues with force in 2019, connecting 53 home runs to set a rookie record in the league and establish a franchise record for a single season. The five-time All-Star, nicknamed “The Polar Bear”, has reached 40 home runs on two other occasions and has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball since his arrival. After a prolonged negotiation, he returned to the Mets as a free agent in February with a two-year, $54 million contract, which includes a $24 million player option for 2026, which Alonso will likely decline. Other active players leading their current franchises in home runs are Manny Machado (Padres) and Mike Trout (Angels). Giancarlo Stanton, now with the New York Yankees, holds the Miami Marlins record with 267. Strawberry broke the Mets’ previous record with his 155th home run on May 3, 1988, surpassing Dave Kingman. Strawberry hit 252 in 1,109 games for New York during his first eight seasons in the Major Leagues, from 1983 to 1990. He later played for the Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees, ending his 17-year career with 335 home runs. Alonso, 30 years old, played his game number 963 on Saturday night. The durable first baseman has appeared in a record streak of 370 consecutive games. The Diamondbacks and Padres are the only Major League clubs that haven’t had a player hit more than 252 home runs. Luis Gonzalez holds the Arizona record with 224, and Machado entered Saturday with 187 for San Diego.It means a lot. It’s a mark that’s not easy to reach. How many great players have worn this uniform? That Pete can tie it is something special for him and for all of us. We are proud of him.
Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager
