Pete Alonso has had a very emotional series. This three-game stretch against the New York Mets is the first time the Polar Bear has returned to Citi Field since signing that five-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles this offseason. In his seven seasons in Queens, Alonso quickly became a fan favorite. He was one of the best homegrown players in Mets history. He holds several club records, including the most home runs by a player in franchise history. But on Tuesday night, he had another memorable moment at Citi Field.
In the top of the ninth inning, Alonso came to the plate with the Orioles down 3-2. Up 2-0 in the count, Alonso crushed a forkball from Kodai Senga 414 feet into the left-field seats. This tied the game at three, and propelled the O’s to a 7-5 victory in 11 innings. But it was more than a game-tying shot: it was his 300th career dinger. It is a moment that will be replayed forever by Orioles fans and Alonso. Not only was it a big milestone, but doing it in a stadium where he had so much success is the icing on the cake.
While the Mets fans’ reaction has been what everyone in the media is talking about, it shouldn’t overshadow what Alonso just did. He became just the 171st player to reach the 300 home run milestone. Given how long baseball has been played and how many players have appeared in an MLB game, being one of fewer than 200 players to do something is very special. It is one of the biggest moments of his career thus far. But how does this milestone affect how we view his legacy?
How Does This Home Run Affect His Legacy
Ever since he entered the league in 2019, Alonso has been one of the biggest offensive threats. In 1,160 career games, he has slashed .255/.343/.514 with 300 home runs, 813 RBIs, and a 143 OPS+. He leads all hitters in RBIs since the start of the 2019 season. On top of these impressive stats, Alonso plays every day. He has only missed 27 games over his eight big league seasons. In a day-in, game-in season where it’s rare for players to play every day, Alonso’s consistency adds to his legacy.
Alonso has the numbers, but he also has the iconic moment to back it up. When you think of Alonso, the first thing you think of is Game 3 of the 2024 NL Wild Card Series. With the Mets down 2-0 in the Top of the Ninth, Alonso stepped up to the plate and snuck a three-run shot over the right-field wall to put the Mets ahead. The Mets went on to take the game and the series, continuing their magical run. That home run is one of the best moments of the 2020s. Anytime you see a highlight reel of big MLB moments, that home run is usually in it.
When you consider all of this, Alonso should go down as one of the most consistent power threats of the 2020s. It does not matter what the game or situation is; he is a guy you can trust to get the big hit. It can be a random game in May or Game 7 of the World Series, and you can be confident he’ll deliver. That is a very solid reputation to have, but the question is, can it get him into the Hall of Fame? At only 31, Alonso should have a few good seasons left. If he can hit a few more milestones and get some more clutch moments, he should be a shoo-in.
Anytime a player does something few before him have done, it deserves celebration. We should forget the nonsense surrounding the home run and celebrate Alonso’s great accomplishment.
