THE PRESSURE!
Alonso says playing in high-intensity WBC in March will help him come October
PORT ST. LUCIE — Pete Alonso was finally able to get a preview of what it’s like to play meaningful baseball in October. But no one was more devastated than the Mets’ first baseman after the Padres eliminated them in an NL wildcard round series last fall. So when USA Baseball asked him about playing in the World Baseball Classic, Alonso saw it as an opportunity to gain valuable experience playing in important games.
“You’re just replacing games in St. Lucie with games in Arizona on an international stage,” Alonso said Wednesday at Clover Field. “For me to be able to play those meaningful baseball games, I feel like it will come in handy later on in October and, hopefully, November because for me I’ve only played in three major-league playoff games.
“Hopefully, those like high-intensity type games can give me experience so I can really just help the team win and advance and win a championship.”
Alonso plays the game with a mix of childlike enthusiasm and genuine professional passion. The chance to play with some of the best American-born players and against some of the world’s best players with national pride on the line was too good to pass up. Sure, the chance for injury is always there and it’s higher than in a more controlled spring-training environment, but the experience of playing in high-pressure situations outweighs the risks for Alonso.
As the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, a two-time All-Star and a two-time Home Run Derby winner, it’s clear that Alonso loves the big stage that New York provides him, which should bode well for international competition.
Last season, he put up career-high numbers in hits (162), RBI (131) and average (.271). He quietly put together a season worthy of MVP votes, coming in eighth. The 28-year-old homegrown slugger was rewarded with a one-year, $14.5 million contract, a record for a first baseman in his second arbitration year.
The focus then shifted to his next contract. Given the trend of teams locking up young, arbitration-eligible players, it seemed as though he was in line for an extension. When second baseman and 2022 NL batting champ Jeff McNeil received a four-year, $50 million contract late last month, it put some heat on the conversation about Alonso’s future with the team.
“I’m super, super happy for Jeff. He’s a great, great player and he deserved his contract,” Alonso said. “But personally, I just don’t feel comfortable talking about any contractual stuff.”
The one thing he did make clear is that he has no desire to be in another uniform anytime soon. Now in his fifth season, he expects to be the cleanup hitter again and understands that responsibilities come along with hitting in that spot. Alonso loves to lead on the field and off and hopes that this is the year he finally helps lead the Mets to a championship.
“I just know that I’m a New York Met in 2023,” he said. “I’m just really happy and fortunate to be here. I love the city, I love the fan base and I love being here. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and honestly, any speculation or anything in the future? I don’t know. But I love it here.”
Having been through free agency twice himself, Alonso’s teammate, Max Scherzer, said he would advise him to prioritize winning over money.
“When you walk through those doors, make sure you know what you’re here for,” Scherzer said. “Are you here for the contract or are you here to win? And if you’re here to win, trust me, the contract will happen.”