Since coming into the league in 2019, we all knew that New York Mets’ first baseman Pete Alonso had home-run-hitting ability. Alonso walked away his rookie season with an incredible 53 home runs and 120 batted in. Afterward, he won the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year. Pete has accumulated 40 or more home runs with New York during the past two seasons. Alonso’s home-run-hitting capabilities are a big reason why Met fans have had such high hopes for the past few seasons. Last season, the Mets were 101-61, taking the first Wild Card spot and the fourth seed in the NL. New York was bounced out of the NL Wild Card Round postseason. The Mets faced the San Diego Padres, and in a decisive game three, the Mets lost 6-0.
Pete Alonso’s Home Run Ability Puts Him on an Honorable List
However, this season has been even more disappointing than that game-three loss against the Padres. New York is 69-80 this year, fourth in the NL East division. Many had expectations that this Mets team would be a playoff-caliber team. Some even predicted the New York Mets to advance to the World Series. The Mets season fell apart before it could even begin. It’s been tough for Met fans; if they haven’t already, they’ll be heading towards the 2024 MLB season. Pete Alonso, though, will be looking to make an impact in this final stretch. New York faces two formidable divisional foes during the last twelve games of the season. If Pete and the Mets win most of these matchups, they could be in an excellent position to start next year.
Pete Alonso Makes History
In his fifth season and with 191 career home runs, Alonso puts himself in prestigious company. Throughout MLB history, Ralph Kiner has the most home runs through his first five seasons with 215. Behind Kiner is Albert Pujols with 201. Third on this list is Pete Alonso, with 191. Pete surpassed Eddie Mathews on this list this past Friday, who had 190. Finishing off this list is Ryan Howard with 177 homers. Kiner and Matthews are both Hall of Fame players. Pujols will likely be a first-ballot Hall of Fame player when he’s eligible in 2028. Howard received two percent of the Hall of Fame vote in 2022. Pete is the second-fastest player to reach 100 home runs in 347 games. Ryan Howard hit 100 home runs in 325 games.
Joining Mets Legends
He joins Mike Piazza as the only Met player with four thirty-plus home run seasons. On the Mets’ all-time home run list, Pete Alonso ranks fifth. He needs one more to tie Howard Johnson and two to past the legendary Met. This season, in 141 games played and in 517 at-bats, Alonso has collected 115 hits, 45 home runs, 112 runs batted in, and four stolen bases, with a .222 batting average, a .326 on-base percentage, and a .526 slugging percentage. Pete’s 45 home runs and 112 runs batted in rank second among the National League. He’s also ranked seventh in slugging percentage within the NL.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
