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Pete Alonso

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Pete Alonso
Alonso with theNew York Metsin 2023
New York Mets – No. 20
First baseman
Born:(1994-12-07)December 7, 1994(age 29)
Tampa, Florida,U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
MLB debut
March 28, 2019, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through July 14, 2024)
Batting average.250
Hits723
Home runs211
Runs batted in549
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men'sbaseball
RepresentingUnited States
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal – second place 2023 Miami Team

Peter Morgan Alonso(born December 7, 1994), nicknamed "Polar Bear",is an Americanprofessional baseballfirst basemanfor theNew York MetsofMajor League Baseball(MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019.

Alonso playedcollege baseballfor theFlorida Gatorsbefore the Mets selected him in the2016 MLB draft.Alonso made his MLB debut onOpening Dayin 2019 and won theNational League'sRookie of the Year Awardthat year, setting a major league record for rookies with 53 home runs. He is a four-timeMLB All-Starand he led the league in home runs in 2019 and inruns batted inin 2022. He has also won the MLBHome Run Derbytwice, in 2019 and 2021.

Early life

[edit]

Alonso was born inTampa, Florida.His father, Peter Matthew Alonso, is the son of Spanish refugees who fledBarcelonaduring theSpanish Civil Warand moved toQueens,aborough of New York City,but later settled inLancaster, Ohio.His mother, Michelle Lynn Alonso (néeMorgan), playedcollege softballatOhio Wesleyan University.[1][2]

Alonso attendedJesuit High Schoolin Tampa for his first two years of high school, and transferred toHenry B. Plant High Schoolin Tampa to finish high school.[3][4]He playedlacrosseandfootballas a freshman before deciding to focus solely on baseball.[5]For the baseball team, he was athird baseman.[6]He enrolled at theUniversity of Florida,where he playedcollege baseballfor theFlorida Gatorsas afirst baseman.He was named All-Southeastern Conferencein his freshman year.[4]In 2014, he playedcollegiate summer baseballwith theMadison Mallardsof theNorthwoods League,[7]and he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2024.[8][9]In the summer of 2015, he played for theBourne Bravesof theCape Cod Baseball League.[10]In 2016, his junior year, he hit.374/.469/.659 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 58 games.[11]He competed for Florida in the2015and2016 College World Series.[12]

Professional career

[edit]

New York Mets

[edit]

Minor leagues

[edit]

TheNew York Metsselected Alonso in the second round, with the 64th pick overall, of the2016 Major League Baseball draft.[6][13]He signed with the Mets for a $909,200signing bonus,[14]and made his professional debut in 2016 with theBrooklyn Cyclonesof theClass A-Short SeasonNew York-Penn League.He posted a.322 batting average with five home runs and 21 RBIs in thirty games and was chosen to participate in the league'sall-star game.[15]He began the 2017 season with theSt. Lucie Metsof theClass A-AdvancedFlorida State League,and after batting.286 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs in 82 games, was promoted to theBinghamton Rumble Poniesof theClass AAEastern Leaguein August,[16]where he batted.311 with two home runs and five RBIs in 11 games.[17]

Alonso batting for theLas Vegas 51sin 2018

MLBranked Alonso as New York's fourth-best prospect going into the 2018 season.[18]He began the 2018 season in Binghamton,[19]and received a midseason promotion to theLas Vegas 51sof theClass AAAPacific Coast League.He represented the Mets in the 2018All-Star Futures Game.[20]In 132 games between Binghamton and Las Vegas, heslashed.285/.395/.579 with 36 home runs and 119 RBIs.[21]He won theJoe Bauman Home Run Award.[22]That season, Alonso was the final batter inCashman Fieldhistory, as he hit awalk-off home runin the bottom of the 9th inning during the last baseball game played at the facility.[23]

2019

[edit]

Alonso made the MetsOpening Dayroster in 2019 as the starting first baseman.[24]He was in the team's starting lineup on Opening Day on March 28, and recorded his first major league hit againstWashington NationalspitcherJustin Millerin the eighth inning.[25]First publicized on March 30, third-base coachGary DiSarcinagave Alonso the endearing nickname "Polar Bear" for his power.[26]He hit his first major league home run on April 1 off ofDrew Steckenriderof theMiami Marlins.[27]On April 9, Alonso had his first career multi-home run game against theMinnesota Twins.[28]

Alonso became the first player in MLB history since 1900 with 11 extra-base hits in his first 10 career games. No other player ever had more than nine.[29]In April, Alonso batted.292 with ninehome runs,eight doubles, one triple and 26 RBIs in his first games in the big leagues. He won theNational League Rookie of the Month Awardfor April.[30]Alonso's nine home runs led all MLB rookies and are tied for the most by a Mets player before May 1 withNeil Walker(2016),John Buck(2013),Carlos Delgado(2006) andDave Kingman(1976).[31]

On June 22, Alonso hit his 26th home run, breaking the National League record for most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break, passingCody Bellinger.The next day, with his 27th home run, he broke the Mets rookie home run record, previously set byDarryl Strawberryin 1983.[32][33]Alonso was selected as a reserve to the2019 All-Star Game.[34]He also won the National League Rookie of the Month Award for the month of June.[35]

On July 7, Alonso became the second player in Mets history to hit the most home runs (30) before the All-Star break, afterDave Kingman(1976).[36]On July 8, Alonso won the2019 MLB Home Run Derby,defeatingToronto Blue Jaysthird basemanVladimir Guerrero Jr.23–22 in the final round, becoming only the second rookie, afterAaron Judge,to win the Derby outright. On the way to the final round, Alonso also beatCarlos SantanaandRonald Acuña Jr.,hitting 57 total home runs during the entire Derby.[37]

On August 15, Alonso hit his 39th home run, tying Bellinger for the most home runs by a rookie in National League history. Alonso finished the game with a career-high five hits and six RBIs.[38]He broke Bellinger's record on August 18 with his 40th home run in an 11–5 win against theKansas City Royals.[39]On August 27, Alonso hit his 42nd home run to become the Mets all-time single-season home run leader, surpassingCarlos BeltránandTodd Hundley.He is the first rookie to set his franchise's single-season home run record sinceJohnny Rizzodid it for thePittsburgh Piratesin 1938.[40]

On September 27, Alonso hit his 52nd home run of the season, tyingAaron Judgefor the most home runs by a rookie in MLB history.[41]He hit his 53rd the next day to break Judge's record.[42]His 53 home runs led all of Major League Baseball for the 2019 season. On November 11, Alonso was awarded theNational League Rookie of the Year,receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes.[43][44]On December 10, Alonso was named to the first team of the inauguralAll-MLB Team.[45]

2020

[edit]

In the 2020 season shortened byCOVID-19,Alonso played in 57 of the 60 games and batted.231/.326/.490 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs.[46]

Alonso with the Mets in 2020

On September 3, 2020, Alonso hit his first careerwalk-off home run.[47]Alonso's sophomore season was a step back from his breakout rookie year; Danny Abriano ofYahoo Sportscalled it "a season to forget."[48]However, he had the highest maximumexit velocityof all major league hitters, at 118.4 miles per hour (190.5 km/h).[49]

Alonso's sophomore slump coupled with a second consecutive breakout season fromDominic Smithled some talent evaluators to favor the latter as the team's starting first baseman heading into the 2021 season.[50]

2021

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On July 12, Alonso won his second straight Home Run Derby after defeatingBaltimore Oriolesfirst basemanTrey Mancini23–22 in the final round.[51]He became the third player ever to win back-to-back Home Run Derbys, as well as the fourth player to win two Home Run Derbys (afterKen Griffey Jr.,Prince Fielder,andYoenis Céspedes).NewsdayMets beat writer Tim Healey noted Alonso has earned $2 million from winning the Home Run Derby twice while making $1.47 million from 2019–2021 in base salary while playing for the Mets.[52]

On September 7, Alonso hit his 100th career home run off ofMiami MarlinspitcherEdward Cabrera.He accomplished the feat in 347 games, becoming the second-fastest player to reach 100 career home runs behindRyan Howard,who did it in 325 games.[53]

Alonso played in 152 games for the Mets in 2021, batting.262/.344/.519 with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs.

2022

[edit]

On March 22, 2022, Alonso signed a $7.4 million contract with the Mets, avoiding salary arbitration.[54]He hit his first careergrand slamon April 9 during a game against theWashington Nationalsoff of pitcherJoan Adon.[55]

Alonso rounding the bases after hitting his first careergrand slamin 2022

On July 10, Alonso was named to the2022 MLB All-Star Game,the second selection of his career,[56]He participated in the Home Run Derby, making it to the semifinals.[57]In a September 25 game against theOakland Athletics,Alonso drove in five runs, setting a new Mets' single-season RBI record with 125.[58]He broke the record on a 451-foot (137 m) two-run home run in the fourth inning off of pitcherNorge Ruiz.The Mets previous RBI record was held byMike Piazza(1999) andDavid Wright(2008).[59]

On September 27 against theMiami Marlins,Alonso hit his 40th home run of the season, becoming the first Mets player to accomplish the feat twice.[60]

Alonso ended the season with 131 RBIs, breaking the franchise record and tyingAaron Judgefor the most in the major leagues.

2023

[edit]

Alonso and the Mets agreed to a $14.5 million salary for the 2023 season during the arbitration period.[61]On April 7, during a game against theMiami Marlins,Alonso hit his 150th career home run, passingCarlos Beltránfor sixth place on Mets all-time home run list. He also became the second fastest player to 150 home runs (in 538 games) sinceRyan Howard(495 games).[62]

On June 7, Alonso was placed on the injured list when he suffered a bone bruise and left wrist sprain after being hit by a pitch.[63]He was expected to miss three to four weeks due to the injury, but recovered in just eleven days and was activated from the injured list on June 18.[64]

On September 3, during a game against theSeattle Mariners,Alonso homered twice and drove in four runs, reaching 40-plus home runs and 100 RBIs for the second consecutive season. Alonso's two-run shot made him the fifth player in Major League history with at least three 40-home run seasons in his first five seasons of their career, joiningRalph Kiner(four seasons),Eddie Mathews,Ryan Howard,andAlbert Pujols(each with 3 seasons).[65]

2024

[edit]

The Mets and Alonso agreed on a one-year, $20.5 million contract to avoid salary arbitration on January 11, 2024.[66]On April 15, he earned NL Player of the Week honors.[67]On April 27, during a game against theSt. Louis Cardinals,Alonso hit his 200th career home run off of pitcherSonny Gray.Alonso became the fourth fastest player in MLB history to hit 200 home runs and the fourth Met to hit 200 career home runs.[68][69]

International career

[edit]

On August 17, 2022, Alonso announced that he would also join theUnited States national baseball teamin the2023 World Baseball Classic.[70]Alonso went 2-for-14 across five games, most notably starting an eighth inning rally with a base hit againstVenezuelain thequarterfinals,and later hitting an RBI single againstCubain thesemifinals.[71][72]

Personal life

[edit]

Alonso married Haley Walsh on November 12, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa. She is originally fromBoston;they met in the summer of 2015 while he was playing in theCape Cod collegiate summer league.They carried on a long-distance relationship while he continued at the University of Florida and she attendedMichigan State University.They were engaged in November 2018.[73][74]

In 2020, the couple formed The Alonso Foundation, a charitable organization that supports youth, veteran, and animal causes.[75]

On March 13, 2022, Alonso was involved in a car accident inTampa, Florida,which he described as a "really close experience to death." A driver ran a red light and struck Alonso's vehicle, which flipped over three times. Neither Alonso nor anyone else involved in the incident was injured.[76]

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting and fishing. He was also featured in a season 9 episode ofMeatEaterin which he huntedmule deerinColoradowithSteven Rinella.[77]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^Healey, Tim (March 31, 2019)."Pete Alonso's Queens connection".Newsday.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2021.RetrievedMarch 31,2019.
  2. ^"Alex Alonso – 2020 – Men's Lacrosse".Queens University of Charlotte Athletics.RetrievedFebruary 10,2020.
  3. ^Keeley, Laura (June 12, 2012)."Baseball: Plant 3B/1B Pete Alonso commits to Florida".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2017.RetrievedNovember 29,2016.
  4. ^abMaminakis, Alex (June 10, 2015)."Peter Alonso happy with UF choice".The Gainesville Sun.RetrievedMay 30,2022.
  5. ^Armstrong, Kevin (February 26, 2019)."Pete Alonso Needs More Than Power to Claim His Spot With the Mets".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 4,2019.
  6. ^abRubin, Adam (July 20, 2016)."Farm Report: Peter Alonso thriving after bad break".ESPN.RetrievedNovember 29,2016.
  7. ^"#41 Pete Alonso - Profile".PointStreak.RetrievedJanuary 9,2020.
  8. ^@MadisonMallards (June 9, 2024)."Today we induct the newest member of the Mallards Hall of Fame — Pete Alonso ⚾"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  9. ^@MadisonMallards (June 9, 2024)."Introducing the NEWEST member of the Madison Mallards Hall of Fame — Pete Alonso 🦆"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  10. ^"#34 Peter Alonso - Profile".PointStreak.RetrievedJanuary 9,2020.
  11. ^Erickson, Joseph (April 12, 2019)."Former Gator Pete Alonso Shining for the New York Mets".WRUF-AM.RetrievedJuly 4,2019.
  12. ^Bauer, Ethan (June 18, 2016)."Peter Alonso leads Gators into College World Series (w/ video)".Tampa Bay Times.RetrievedNovember 29,2016.
  13. ^"Mets 2nd-round pick Peter Alonso is a slugger with big dreams".NJ. June 10, 2016.RetrievedMay 30,2022.
  14. ^"Mets sign 2016 second-round pick Peter Alonso".SNY. Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2019.RetrievedNovember 29,2016.
  15. ^"Alonso flashing All-Star form with Cyclones".Minor League Baseball.August 8, 2016.RetrievedMay 30,2022.
  16. ^"Ponies' Alonso rips first two Double-A homers".Minor League Baseball.Archived fromthe originalon September 1, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 30,2019.
  17. ^"Peter Alonso Stats, Highlights, Bio".Minor League Baseball.RetrievedJanuary 13,2018.
  18. ^"Gimenez leads new Mets Top 30 Prospects list".Major League Baseball.RetrievedFebruary 22,2018.
  19. ^"Mets' Alonso reaches four-gone conclusion".Minor League Baseball.RetrievedJuly 5,2018.
  20. ^"Mets prospect Peter Alonso to play in Futures Game".SNY.Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2018.RetrievedJuly 5,2018.
  21. ^"Peter Alonso Stats, Highlights, Bio 2018".Minor League Baseball.RetrievedOctober 21,2018.
  22. ^"Mets' Alonso recalls award-worthy 2018".MiLB.RetrievedJanuary 30,2019.
  23. ^"Alonso ties for home run lead with walk-off".Minor League Baseball.September 3, 2018.
  24. ^"Pete Alonso gets Mets roster spot after amazing spring training".New York Post.March 27, 2019.RetrievedMarch 29,2019.
  25. ^Vasquez, Andy (March 28, 2019)."Mets' Pete Alonso 'walking on clouds' after major league debut and first hit".North Jersey Media Group.RetrievedMarch 28,2019.
  26. ^Thompson, Scott (March 30, 2019)."'Polar Bear' Pete Alonso is 'living the dream' after Mets win over Nats ".SportsNet New York.RetrievedNovember 12,2019.
  27. ^Healey, Tim (April 2, 2019)."Alonso's first HR boosts Mets in win over Marlins".Newsday.RetrievedMay 3,2019.
  28. ^De Nicola, Christina (April 2, 2019)."Alonso's first career HR an EPIC blast".Major League Baseball.RetrievedApril 11,2019.
  29. ^Abriano, Danny."Mets rookie Pete Alonso made MLB history on Tuesday".SNY.Archived fromthe originalon April 12, 2019.RetrievedMay 3,2019.
  30. ^Thosar, Deesha (May 2, 2019)."Pete Alonso becomes fourth Met to win Rookie of the Month honors".New York Daily News.RetrievedMay 3,2019.
  31. ^Thornburg, Chad (May 2, 2019)."Brandon Lowe Pete Alonso Rookies of the Month".Major League Baseball.RetrievedJune 1,2019.
  32. ^Thosar, Deesha (June 22, 2019)."Pete Alonso ties Darryl Strawberry for Mets rookie HR record in dominating win over Cubs".New York Daily News.
  33. ^Russell Dorsey (June 22, 2019)."Pete Alonso home run makes NL rookie history".Major League Baseball.RetrievedJuly 4,2019.
  34. ^"Pete Alonso among three Mets named to All-Star Game".SNY.Archived fromthe originalon December 14, 2019.RetrievedJuly 4,2019.
  35. ^Harrigan, Thomas (July 3, 2019)."Alvarez, Alonso are top rookies for June".Major League Baseball.RetrievedAugust 25,2019.
  36. ^"WATCH: Pete Alonso ties another Mets record with 30th home run".SNY.Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2019.RetrievedJuly 8,2019.
  37. ^Feinsand, Mark (July 8, 2019)."Polar Bear Pete! Alonso wins Home Run Derby".Major League Baseball.RetrievedJuly 8,2019.
  38. ^Anthony DiComo (May 24, 2018)."Pete Alonso ties National League rookie HR record".Major League Baseball.RetrievedAugust 19,2019.
  39. ^Falkoff, Robert (May 24, 2018)."Pete Alonso sets NL rookie home run record with 40".Major League Baseball.RetrievedAugust 19,2019.
  40. ^"Alonso becomes Mets' homer king with No. 42".Major League Baseball.RetrievedAugust 28,2019.
  41. ^ESPN News Services (September 27, 2019)."Mets' Pete Alonso ties Aaron Judge's rookie record with 52nd homer".ESPN.RetrievedSeptember 27,2019.
  42. ^"Alonso sets rookie HR record with No. 53".MLB.September 28, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 28,2019.
  43. ^DiComo, Anthony (November 11, 2019)."Alonso runs away with NL Rookie of the Year".Major League Baseball.RetrievedNovember 11,2019.
  44. ^Schoenfield, David (November 11, 2019)."Mets slugger Pete Alonso wins National League Rookie of the Year".ESPN.RetrievedNovember 12,2019.
  45. ^Castrovince, Anthony (December 10, 2019)."Here is the inaugural All-MLB Team".Major League Baseball.RetrievedDecember 10,2019.
  46. ^"Pete Alonso Stats".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 2,2021.
  47. ^Thosar, Deesha (September 3, 2020)."Pete Alonso beats Yankees with first career walkoff homer".New York Daily News.RetrievedJanuary 3,2021.
  48. ^Abriano, Danny (September 17, 2020)."A deep dive into what's gone wrong for Mets' Pete Alonso in 2020".Yahoo Sports.Archived fromthe originalon September 16, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 2,2021.
  49. ^"Statcast Leaderboard".Baseball Savant.RetrievedAugust 1,2021.
  50. ^Sherman, Joel (September 22, 2020)."Mets rivals favor Dominic Smith over Pete Alonso in complicated debate: Sherman".New York Post.RetrievedJanuary 2,2021.
  51. ^Blum, Richard (July 13, 2021)."Alonso wins 2nd HR Derby".Herald-Star.Associated Press.RetrievedJuly 31,2021.
  52. ^@timbhealey (July 13, 2021)."PETE ALONSO CAREER EARNINGS… Winning..."(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  53. ^"Alonso makes HR history in Mets' win".Major League Baseball.RetrievedSeptember 8,2021.
  54. ^Franco, Anthony (March 22, 2022)."Mets, Pete Alonso Avoid Arbitration".MLBTradeRumors.RetrievedMarch 23,2022.
  55. ^DiComo, Anthony (April 9, 2022)."Alonso lets his bat do the talking vs. Nats".Major League Baseball.RetrievedApril 12,2022.
  56. ^"MLB Announced All-Star Pitchers and Reserves - The New York Times".The New York Times.January 28, 2023.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
  57. ^"'I love this event': Alonso's Derby reign ends in 2022 semis ".MLB.
  58. ^Chen, Sonja (September 25, 2022)."Alonso drives in 5 to break Mets' RBI record".MLB.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
  59. ^"Pete Alonso Sets New York Mets Single-Season RBI Record | Sports Illustrated New York Mets News, Analysis and More".September 25, 2022.
  60. ^"Marlins 6, Mets 4 Final Score (09/27/2022) on MLB Gameday".MLB.
  61. ^Sammon, Will."Mets, Pete Alonso agree to 1-year, $14.5 million deal to avoid arbitration: Source".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
  62. ^"Pete Alonso making Mets history after hitting 150th career home run".
  63. ^DiComo, Anthony (June 9, 2023)."Alonso heads to injured list, out at least 3-4 weeks".MLB.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
  64. ^"Alonso (wrist) makes lightning-quick return to Mets".MLB.June 18, 2023.RetrievedJune 18,2023.
  65. ^"Alonso passes 40-HR mark, joins exclusive club".September 3, 2023.
  66. ^"Alonso, Mets agree to deal worth $20.5M, avoid arbitration (source)".MLB.RetrievedApril 30,2024.
  67. ^Mets’ 4 shocking surprises to begin 2024 season,ClutchPoints, April 15, 2024
  68. ^"Mets' Pete Alonso hits 200th career home run, is fourth-fastest in MLB history to reach milestone".sny.tv.RetrievedApril 29,2024.
  69. ^"Alonso in elite company after home run No. 200".MLB.RetrievedApril 29,2024.
  70. ^"Polar Bear set to represent USA in next WBC".MLB.August 17, 2022.RetrievedAugust 22,2022.
  71. ^"Pete Alonso addicted to WBC's playoff play atmosphere".March 24, 2023.RetrievedApril 25,2024.
  72. ^"Latest on Mets in World Baseball Classic: Pete Alonso believes Team USA experience will be 'extremely valuable' for playoffs".sny.tv.RetrievedApril 25,2024.
  73. ^Hendricks, Jaclyn (November 16, 2021)."Inside Pete Alonso's 'best' wedding weekend, possible wardrobe malfunction".New York Post.RetrievedMarch 14,2022.
  74. ^Krauser, Emily (July 11, 2023)."Who Is Pete Alonso's Wife? All About Haley Alonso".Peoplemag.RetrievedOctober 1,2023.
  75. ^"Impact".Alonso Foundation.RetrievedOctober 1,2023.
  76. ^DiComo, Anthony (March 14, 2022)."Mets' Alonso OK after 'brutal' car crash".Major League Baseball.RetrievedMarch 14,2022.
  77. ^"'An Environmentalist With a Gun': Inside Steven Rinella's Hunting Empire - The New York Times ".The New York Times.January 28, 2023.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
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