Part of Alonso’s foundation, service dog Bear
PORT ST. LUCIE — It’s a little early in the year for the bark in the park day, but a black lab named Bear was at Clover Field on Tuesday to pay a visit to his namesake. Bear, a black lab training with K9s for Warriors named after “Polar Bear” Pete Alonso, was on hand to help shag balls as the Mets took batting practice ahead of their Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros.
The Alonso foundation is sponsoring Bear’s training with the organization that helps train and pair shelter dogs with service veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. Alonso and his wife, Hayley, created the foundation to support initiatives for those who can’t advocate for themselves in children and animals, as well as veterans and service members.
The animal-loving Alonsos are big supporters of animal shelters and adoptions, so when they found K9s for Warriors, they knew it was a perfect organization to partner with.
“Bear has been flying through his training, so we’re really excited for him,” Alonso told the Daily News. “Whoever he’s given to, he’s to be a great companion and help, for sure.”
According to a study released in 2022, as many as 44 veterans take their own lives daily and many more exhibit self-harming behaviors. Service animals have been found to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD while also helping to foster independence. The mission of K9s for Warriors is to end veteran suicide and work toward this mission by rescuing dogs from highkill shelters to train as service animals for veterans.
“It’s really exciting for us because we’re able to give grants to organizations like that,” Alonso said. “Whatever veteran receives him, it’s going to be great. So we just want to continue to do stuff like that and give grants to organizations that do good work.”
CAMP STANDOUTS
Closer Edwin Diaz pitched one inning in the Mets’ Grapefruit League loss to the Houston Astros and looked extra sharp. His slider was particularly deadly, with Diaz throwing eight of them and getting swings on six. He struck out two and walked one. His Team Puerto Rico teammate Francisco Lindor
went 2-for-2 with an RBI. The duo will head to Miami next week to begin Pool play in the World Baseball Classic.
Third baseman Brett Baty keeps hitting. The Mets’ No. 2-ranked prospect in the system has now hit safely in four straight spring training games. Baty came in as a pinch-hitter for Mark Canha in the bottom of the eighth with two on and one out and laced an RBI single up the center to score Ronny Mauricio from second base. It’s a small sample size, but Baty is 4-for7 with a home run, three RBI and a walk in four Grapefruit League games.
GOING THROUGH THE ROTATION
Right-hander Tylor Megill will make his first Grapefruit League start Wednesday in Jupiter against the Miami Marlins and right-hander Carlos Carrasco will make his Friday at home against the Atlanta Braves. Max Scherzer will make his second Friday at home and Justin Verlander will follow him Saturday in Jupiter.