New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 250th major league home run on Saturday during the opening inning against the San Francisco Giants. This milestone places Alonso among an elite group of players who have reached 250 home runs within their first seven seasons in Major League Baseball.

Joining an Exclusive Group of Power Hitters

Alonso is the fifth player in MLB history to hit 250 home runs so quickly, joining Ralph Kiner, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, and Eddie Mathews. This group includes multiple Hall of Famers—Kiner and Mathews—as well as Pujols, who is expected to join the Hall soon. Alonso’s rapid ascent to this mark reflects his impressive power and consistency at the plate since his 2019 debut.

Closing in on Mets Franchise Home Run Record

At 30 years old, Alonso is now just three homers shy of surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s New York Mets franchise record for career home runs, a record standing since 1991. Achieving this would place Alonso among the greatest power hitters in Mets history, alongside icons like Strawberry, David Wright, and Mike Piazza.

Season Challenges and Impact on Mets’ Playoff Race

Alonso’s current season has seen ups and downs, recently marked by a significant slump before he blasted his 249th home run. The Mets find themselves trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by only half a game in the National League East, enduring a four-game losing streak. Alonso’s performance in the coming games could be pivotal for the team’s playoff push.

Alonso’s Growing Legacy with the Mets

With every home run, Alonso continues to carve out his place in Mets history, carrying the expectations of fans and the team as he nears the franchise’s long-standing home run record. His consistent power hitting promises to be a major factor for the Mets moving forward in the season.

“Pete Alonso is on the brink of New York Mets immortality.” —Anonymous
“Once Alonso achieves it, he will permanently cement himself as the greatest power hitter in Mets history.” —Anonymous