Alonso Reaches Historic Milestone
Pete Alonso Hits 300th Career Home Run During Emotional Return to Citi Field
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Key Points
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After hitting the tying homer, Alonso threw his bat and shouted toward the Orioles’ dugout, echoing his exuberant reaction to some of his most memorable home runs as a Met.
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Alonso has hit 124 of his 300 career homers at Citi Field, including the franchise-record 53rd home run of his 2019 rookie season.
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Mets rookie right-hander Jonah Tong held Baltimore to one unearned run over six innings despite being booed by some fans when facing Alonso, making it arguably the best major-league outing of his young career.
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Francisco Lindor praised the fans’ reception for Alonso but also urged them to support the pitcher, saying, “Because at the end of the day, we’re trying to win the game.”
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Former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said letting Alonso leave may have been a mistake, arguing that his homegrown offensive impact outweighed his defensive shortcomings; meanwhile, Mets first basemen Jared Young and Mark Vientos had combined for 25 homers and 87 RBIs.
Pete Alonso hit his 300th career home run in the ninth inning against his former team, tying the game with a solo blast off Kodai Senga at Citi Field The New York Times. The Orioles slugger returned to New York in an opponent's uniform after seven seasons with the Mets, but the crowd gave him repeated standing ovations, a tribute video, and chants despite his Baltimore jersey. Alonso took a curtain call after the milestone homer, throwing his bat and shouting toward the dugout in the same exuberant style that defined his Mets tenure.
A Bittersweet Return to His Home Field
Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore this offseason after spending his entire Mets career in New York The Score. The 29-year-old set a franchise record with 264 homers in a Mets uniform and led the team to the 2024 NL Championship Series before the organization decided not to re-sign him. Monday's game marked his first return to Citi Field as a visitor, an emotional moment for both the player and the crowd that had cheered him for years.
Alonso went hitless with a walk in Baltimore's 2-1 victory in the first game of the series on Monday. The milestone homer came the next day and immediately energized the ballpark, with fans rising to applaud one of the franchise's greatest homegrown hitters even though it helped the opposing team.
The 300-Homer Club and a Historic Citi Field Record
Alonso became the 171st player in Major League Baseball history to reach 300 career home runs The Banner. Of those 300 homers, 124 have come at Citi Field, including the franchise record of 53 homers he hit as a Mets rookie in 2019. His Citi Field dominance reflects both his power and the years he spent developing into one of baseball's most feared sluggers.
Entering the milestone game, Alonso was batting .269 with 35 homers, 100 RBIs, and an .859 OPS for the Orioles. His production in Baltimore represents a slight dip from his Mets career, but he remains a force in the middle of the Orioles' lineup as they make their playoff push.
Mets Regret Not Re-Signing Their Franchise Power Hitter
Former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged that letting Alonso leave may have been a mistake, arguing that his homegrown offensive impact outweighed his defensive shortcomings. The organization has already been eliminated from playoff contention, and Alonso's absence looms large as the franchise struggles. Mets first basemen Jared Young and Mark Vientos have combined for just 25 homers and 87 RBIs as replacements.
Fans Balance Love for Alonso With Support for Mets Pitcher
Francisco Lindor praised the crowd's warm reception for Alonso but urged fans to support Mets pitcher Jonah Tong, saying the team needs to win the game. The rookie right-hander delivered, holding Baltimore to one unearned run over six innings despite being booed by some fans when facing his former teammate. For Tong, the performance marked arguably the best outing of his young major-league career.
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