Pete Alonso has made history by tying the New York Mets’ all-time home run record, reaching the milestone of 252 career homers during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. This achievement places him alongside Mets legend Darryl Strawberry, who held the record for 37 years. Alonso’s journey to this point has been remarkable, as he managed to tie the record in just 963 games, significantly fewer than the 1,109 games it took Strawberry to reach 252.
Alonso, who debuted in March 2019, has established himself as a dominant force in the league. His early career was highlighted by an impressive rookie season where he set a Major League record by hitting 53 homers, earning him the National League Rookie of the Year award. Since then, he has continued to consistently slug home runs, hitting between 34 and 46 each season from 2021 to 2024.
In addition to his home run feats, Alonso’s tenure with the Mets has been marked by a strong sense of dedication to the team. After becoming a free agent, he chose to re-sign with the Mets in January on a two-year, $54 million contract, motivated partially by his desire to leave a lasting legacy within the franchise.
It’s noteworthy that only a few teams in MLB history have lower career home run totals than the Mets, making Alonso’s achievement even more significant. Historically, the franchise has seen many great sluggers, but few have managed to stay long enough to make such a huge impact as Alonso has.
Darryl Strawberry himself expressed his excitement about Alonso’s achievement, stating he never wanted his record to stand forever. “You’re happy when you see that, when you see a guy return after having so much he had to go through,” he said.
This milestone not only honors the legacy of past Mets players but also signals a bright future for Alonso and the franchise. Mets fans can look forward to Alonso continuing to contribute to the team’s success as he chases additional records.
Alonso’s resilience and dedication are indicative of a player’s commitment to excellence. This moment serves as inspiration for aspiring athletes looking to make their mark in sports.