Pete Alonso hit his 252nd career home run on Saturday night, tying a New York Mets franchise record set by Darryl Strawberry 37 years ago. The milestone came against Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers during the second inning, giving the Mets an early 1-0 advantage with a 413-foot homer to left-center field.
Continuing a Powerful Season and Career Milestone
The 30-year-old Alonso has now hit 26 home runs this season and has rapidly regained his power after ending a lengthy slump. This was his fourth home run over his last eight games, following his August 1 homer against the San Francisco Giants that ended an 0-for-19 stretch. The drive that tied the record happened at the same park where Alonso launched one of the most significant home runs of his career last October—a decisive three-run shot in the ninth inning against all-star closer Devin Williams that helped the Mets secure a 4-2 victory in Game 3 of their NL Wild Card Series.
From Rookie Sensation to Franchise Leader
Drafted by the Mets in 2016, Alonso made an immediate impact in 2019 by smashing 53 home runs, setting both a major league rookie record and a new high for the franchise in a single season. Nicknamed “The Polar Bear,” Alonso has been a consistent and powerful presence, earning five All-Star selections and reaching 40 home runs in a season twice. After contract negotiations, he returned to the Mets this February as a free agent, signing a two-year deal worth $54 million, with a player option for 2026 that he is expected to forgo.
Context Among Active Players and Franchise Records
Among current players, only Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels lead their franchises in home runs. Giancarlo Stanton, now with the New York Yankees, holds the Miami Marlins record with 267 homers. Darryl Strawberry set the Mets record with his 155th homer on May 3, 1988, surpassing Dave Kingman’s previous mark. Strawberry hit 252 homers in 1,109 games for the Mets from 1983 to 1990 before continuing his career with other teams, finishing with 335 total home runs.
Durability and Team Records Highlight Alonso’s Importance
Alonso reached this milestone in his 963rd game, showcasing remarkable durability by appearing in 370 consecutive games—a Mets team record. Two franchises, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, have yet to have a player reach 252 home runs for their team. Luis Gonzalez currently holds the Arizona record with 224, while Machado had 187 for the Padres as of Saturday.
What Alonso’s Achievement Means for the Mets
By matching Darryl Strawberry’s long-standing home run record, Pete Alonso has cemented his legacy as one of the most impactful players in Mets history. His consistent power-hitting and resilience highlight his significance to the team’s present and future. With Alonso still in his prime, fans can anticipate more milestones and potentially new records for the franchise as his career progresses.