Pete Alonso officially became the all-time home run leader in New York Mets history when he hit his 253rd career home run. The historic blast came in the first inning off Spencer Strider, sending the ball into the visitors’ bullpen and surpassing the record that Darryl Strawberry had held since 1987. To complete his magical night, Alonso added another homer and helped seal a resounding 13-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
The moment was crowned by an ovation from more than 39,000 fans at Citi Field, who chanted his name as the player lifted his cap to the sky. “It’s an amazing dream, to be honest. As a kid, you don’t think this is possible, you just want to get to the big leagues and compete,” Alonso said
Carlos Mendoza on Pete Alonso’s record: “You have to stop and appreciate this moment”
While Pete Alonso was celebrating his historic feat with his teammates, manager Carlos Mendoza could not hold back tears in the dugout. He later revealed what he felt in an interview with ESPN: “My eyes filled with tears. Despite everything we’ve been through these last two months, to be able to live this moment, I think we just have to take a step back and appreciate what we’re going through.”
Mendoza, who has endured a challenging season at the helm of the Mets, found in that moment a reason to get excited and reconnect with the passion of the game. The victory also ended a seven-game losing streak and renewed the team’s spirits.
Pete Alonso: statistics, legacy and future with the Mets
At just 30 years old and in his seventh MLB season, Pete Alonso has already established himself as one of the team’s great icons. His power at the plate is undeniable, he already has 28 home runs, 96 RBIs and an OPS of .880 in 119 games in 2025. In addition, according to Baseball Savant, he is in the 99th percentile in percentage and 94th in hard hits.
The record was reached in just 965 games, 141 fewer than Strawberry and is a sign of his consistency and durability, as he has played in more than 97% of the Mets’ games since his debut in 2019. Despite being under contract for two years and $54 million, with an opt-out option in 2026, his future in Queens remains in doubt.
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