Pete Alonso is now the All-Time Rookie Home Run King.
The Mets first baseman broke the home run rookie record
previously held by Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, by blasting his 53rd
home run of the season in the Mets 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves, Saturday.
With New York already lead 2-0 in the bottom of the third,
Alonso took a two-seam fastball from Atlanta’s Mike Foltynewicz and planted it
over the wall in right-center field for the solo shot.
As he swung through the pitch, all 32,000 fans in attendance
rose in excitement as the Mets first baseman extended his arms over his head as
he reached first. As he rounded third for home, Alonso egged on the crowed to
keep cheering, before embracing Robinson Cano at home plate and greeting the
conga-line of teammates waiting at the top step of the dugout.
In a season full of disappointment and broken dreams, Alonso
has been the one true bright spot for the Mets this year.
Not only did he shatter the Mets club and rookie record for
home runs in a season to solidify his place as the NL Rookie of the Year, he
became the face of the franchise and team leader virtually overnight.
If there is one player who personifies what the Mets want in
its players, Alonso is that and more. Much more in fact.
Alonso has also proven to be a true New Yorker; even
donating his 9/11 tribute cleats that he wore on the 18th
Anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The
donation will take place Tuesday, October 1 at 10 a.m. at the museum at the
World Trade Center.
You can fault General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen for all of
the mistakes he made this year, but the one thing he got right was promoting
Alonso to the big leagues out of Spring Training.
It is easy to forget that seven months ago, there was a
thought that Alonso would begin the season in Triple-A. That of course is
laughable to think about now. Van Wagenen and manager Mickey Callaway gave the
24-year old Tampa native a shot in spring ball and he ran with it all the way
to Rookie of the Year honors.
If the 2020 Mets are going to have World Series expectations
next year, the reason why will be because of the guy wearing number 20.
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