The New York Mets secured a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field, completing a series sweep. This win, combined with a loss by the Philadelphia Phillies, propelled the Mets back into first place in the National League East with a 59-44 record. Central to this triumph was Pete Alonso, who delivered a pivotal three-run home run in the third inning, marking his 22nd of the season and tying a significant franchise record.
Pete Alonso Matches Howard Johnson’s Franchise Home Run Total
Alonso’s home run tied him with Mets Hall of Famer Howard Johnson, solidifying his place among the team’s elite sluggers. With this blast, Alonso also recorded his 424th career extra-base hit, tying him for fourth all-time in Mets history. He now stands just behind Darryl Strawberry, Jose Reyes, and David Wright in career extra-base hits for the franchise.
Currently, Alonso has 247 career home runs for the Mets, closing in on Darryl Strawberry’s franchise-leading 252. The only players ahead of him on the Mets home run list are Strawberry, Reyes, and Wright, with Reyes at 493 and Wright holding the record at 658.
“Continuing to track down Darryl Strawberry’s 252 for the @Mets franchise lead in career home runs (247), Pete Alonso’s 2-run blast in a 6-3 win vs the Angels today was also his 424th career extra base hit. With that, he is now tied for 4th all-time on this franchise list of names pic.twitter.com/s5asOALDNa” —StatsCentre
Alonso’s Consistent Power Presence Since 2019
Since his MLB debut in 2019, Pete Alonso has established himself as one of the most formidable power hitters in the game. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, in which he still managed 16 home runs, Alonso has consistently posted impressive power numbers, hitting at least 34 home runs in all his full seasons. As of the recent game, Alonso is batting .272, with 22 home runs, 80 runs batted in, and a .366 on-base percentage, underscoring his ongoing impact on the Mets’ offensive capabilities.
Looking Ahead: Mets Prepare for Giants Clash
Following a day off on Thursday, the Mets will return to action on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants, a team currently positioned at 54-49 and competing vigorously in the National League playoff race. This matchup represents a critical opportunity for the Mets to consolidate their hold on first place and continue their pursuit of postseason success.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why do they call Pete Alonso a Polar Bear?
A. During the 2019 spring training, Alonso stood out as a leading player. Todd Frazier, a former third baseman with a lively character, gave him a nickname. Frazier commented, “In spring training, he said, ‘You look like a big, darn polar bear.'”
Q. Why is Pete Alonso called a polar bear?
A. Todd Frazier, a former third baseman known for his lively character, came up with the nickname. During Spring Training, Frazier told Alonso, “You look like a big, damn polar bear,” as Alonso shared in 2019 with Jared Schwartz from The New York Post. Since then, the nickname has remained.