Pete sets new NL rookie HR mark with 40th
KANSAS CITY — Move over, Cody Bellinger. There’s a new record-shattering rookie in town.
Pete Alonso cranked a monster, 418-foot solo home run to the left-field seats of Kauffman Stadium for his 40th home run of the year in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 11-5 win over the Royals. The home-run ball made its way back into the Mets dugout, because this one was special.
Alonso set a new mark for the National League rookie home run record with his 40th blast of the year. Bellinger (39 homers) previously held that mark, which he set during his rookie season in 2017.
The slugging Mets rookie struggled to put his historic home run in perspective. The Mets, believe it or not, were undecided on including Alonso on the Opening Day roster. At the time, he was just a 24-year-old kid with tons of promise, competing with Dominic Smith for the open first-base job. Alonso, genuine and humble as usual, reflected on his burgeoning career with the Mets.
“It’s crazy. Coming into camp, I didn’t know if I was going to make the team or not,” Alonso said. “To break this record and have a good season … This season’s been unbelievable. It’s been a dream come true so far. I just want to keep building off of it and help this team win.”
As impressive as Alonso’s 40-home run season already is, he’s on the brink of setting another exclusive milestone that’s closer to home.
The Mets rookie is one home run shy of tying the franchise record for most home runs in a season. Carlos Beltran (2006) and Todd Hundley (1996) currently share that mark with 41 home runs each. If things continue as they have, it won’t be long before Beltran and Hundley will be replaced by a new slugger.
“That’s even more mind boggling,” Alonso said of setting a new franchise home run record. “I’m just really grateful. Really grateful and thankful I’ve had this opportunity. I just want to keep playing well and keep trying to help this team win. Simple as that.”
Royals fans returned the historic home-run ball to Alonso and the Mets rookie gave them a bat, cleats and signed baseballs as a gesture of good faith. Alonso will store the ball for safekeeping with the rest of his “firsts” this season.
“That’s really classy, especially if a fan of the other team catches it,” Alonso said. “That’s really awesome. I’m forever grateful for that.”
Alonso’s 40 home runs are third most in a rookie season in Major-League history, trailing only Aaron Judge (52, 2017) and Mark McGwire (49, 1987). After Bellinger was bumped to fourth on that list, he gave a shout out to Alonso on Twitter.
Alonso also received high praise from his manager and teammates in the clubhouse, who’ve enjoyed watching Alonso develop into one of the biggest stars in the game.
“It’s great. He works so hard,” Mickey Callaway said. “He’s never going to be satisfied. He’s such a hard worker and he cares about the team and he plays the game the right way. So we’re all happy for him.”
“It’s been impressive to see him deal with some short periods of struggling,” Michael Conforto said, who hit a three-run home run of his own in the Mets’ win on Sunday. “His head doesn’t get too big when he’s playing really well. He’s real evenkeeled.”