On Tuesday, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso became the franchise’s all-time home run leader by hitting his 27th homer of the season and 253rd overall, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s longstanding record. Alonso’s milestone came in the third inning against Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider, as a two-run homer that also scored teammate Brandon Nimmo.
Legacy of Darryl Strawberry and His Impact on the Mets
Darryl Strawberry, who held the Mets’ home run record for decades, expressed mixed feelings about the milestone being broken.
“I don’t want my record to stand,”
Strawberry told MLB.com this June.
“I’m not a baseball player no more. I’m a man outside of baseball. This is for these guys. You’re happy when you see that, when you see a guy return after having so much he had to go through, and now he puts it all together. That’s fun.”
Strawberry, 63, was the first overall pick in the 1980 draft and was a dominant force during the 1980s. He earned the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1983 and was selected for seven consecutive All-Star Games from 1984 to 1990. Baldwin’s power and leadership were crucial to the Mets’ 1986 World Series championship.
Alonso’s Rise from Prospect to Power-Hitting Star
The Mets drafted Pete Alonso in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and he debuted with the team in 2019. His rookie season was historic, setting a rookie record with 53 home runs. Since then, only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have hit more home runs than Alonso among active players. Known as one of baseball’s premier power hitters, Alonso’s ability to consistently slug home runs has made him a cornerstone of the Mets’ lineup.
Though Alonso’s path to becoming the Mets’ home run king was not guaranteed, as he entered free agency this offseason with uncertain contract negotiations, he ultimately re-signed with New York on a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause. He is anticipated to test free agency again this winter.
Contextualizing the Mets’ Franchise Home Run Record
The Mets’ all-time home run record of 253 by Alonso is relatively low compared to other franchises. MLB data shows that only the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins have franchise leaders with fewer career home runs than the Mets’ new top slugger. The following teams have lowest franchise home run leaders ranked near the Mets:
30. San Diego Padres: Manny Machado (362 and counting)
29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Luis Gonzalez (224)
28. New York Mets: Pete Alonso (253 and counting)
27. Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria (261)
26. Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton (267)
In contrast, the top home run leaders in MLB history have recorded totals far beyond those numbers. Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron hold the career franchise record with 733 home runs for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, while legends Babe Ruth and Willie Mays tallied 659 and 646, respectively, for the New York Yankees and Giants.
Mets’ Historical Overview and Significance of Alonso’s Record
The Mets entered Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1962 and struggled in their first season with a 40-120 record, which was a modern low until the Chicago White Sox surpassed it last year. Despite the rocky start, the Mets quickly established themselves with two World Series titles, including a famous victory in 1969. Alonso’s record-setting homerun total builds on this tradition, marking a milestone achievement for the franchise’s power hitting legacy.