New York Mets Slugger Pete Alonso Sets Rookie HR Record
New York Mets rookie first baseman Pete Alonso has set the single-season rookie record for HR with 53. The Mets slugger took Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Foltynewicz deep in the bottom of the third inning in front of the Mets faithful at Citi Field. This was the capper to a magical rookie season for a player who should be a cornerstone player with the Mets for a decade.
Almost Triple A Bound
This season almost did not happen at all. Going into spring training Alonso was not guaranteed a spot on the big club. The business of baseball could have kept him in the minors until late April. Had this happened the Mets would have kept one more year of team control. This is actually a strategic move that other major league teams use. Fellow rookie Vladimir Guerrero of the Toronto Blue Jays did not debut until April 26th of this season. In 2013 the Chicago Cubs held Kris Bryant back until they were able to save one more year of eligibility.
Alonso’s Magical Season
Pete Alonso’s 2019 season has been nothing short of magical. Alonso homered on the first pitch he saw in spring training. He also won the 2019 Home Run Derby the night before the All-Star game. Alonso also became the first Met to ever hit 50 HR. In another amazing feat, Alonso already has the most HR hit by a Mets player in their first two major league seasons.
Alonso who is a true rookie will also win the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year and the voting should be unanimous. In addition, Alonso will undoubtedly receive enough National League Most Valuable Player votes to place him in the top ten. Barring an incredible baseball feat, Alonso should also finish the season with the most HR in the majors.
Big Apple Bombers
Alonso breaks the HR record that was just set in 2017 by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Judge slugged 52 HR that season. Judge was quoted as saying he hopes Alonso sets the record. Alonso said he would love to have dinner with Judge who joked that he would pick up the tab this time but next time Alonso would have to pay.
This could be the beginning of a healthy and friendly rivalry between two cross-town players who are the faces of their franchises. The last three major league players to hit 50 HR or more all currently play in New York. Giancarlo Stanton hit 59 HR in 2017 when he was on the Miami Marlins.
Alonso’s Good Deeds
Not only is Alonso a great player and the face of the Mets but he has endured himself to the Met fans for his off the field presence. Alonso vowed to donate ten percent of his Home Run Derby winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project and Tunnel to Towers Foundation. On September 11th Alonso bought all his teammates custom made USA themed cleats. The cleats were a tribute to the first responders and the people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks against our country.
Pete Alonso Outlook
Alonso will finish the season with at least 120 RBI, 102 runs scored and a batting average around .260. Not only is this a great rookie season but it is among the all-time best seasons by any Met in their history.
The Mets have a building block player in Alonso. He acts like a player who is embracing being the leader of the franchise. Most importantly he is already beloved by the Mets faithful. Hitting 50 HR is not easy to do. It is unfair to expect Alonso to hit over 50 HR every year. But the Mets and their fans can expect Alonso to be a player who hustles and plays hard every game.
The future is so bright for New York’s newest star.
