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4 Greatest Pete Alonso Highlights to Celebrate Anniversary of Mets Drafting Him

By Tyler Kemp

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

On the fateful day of June 9, 2016, the New York Mets drafted a young man by the name of Peter Alonso. Four years later, that young man known as simply Pete or “Polar Bear” turned into NL Rookie of the Year, Home Run Derby champion and broke the record for most homers in a rookie season. To celebrate the Amazin’s drafting their future, here are some of the greatest highlights from Alonso’s young career.

4. The First Dinger

On April 1, Alonso was up to bat in the top of the ninth against Miami. With runners on the corners and New York up 4-3, Alonso drove a pitch from Drew Steckenrider into deep center field for his first career home run. With SNY’s Gary Cohen on the call, it is only fitting that Alonso’s first homer comes in such a clutch moment. The three-run bomb put NY over the top for the win.

3. Home Run Derby Winner

Alonso was riding a wave of momentum with 30 home runs on the year going into the Derby. In a battle with Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alonso went into the final round needing 23 home runs to take down the younger Vlad. In the ultimate display of power, Alonso hit his mark to walk it off and become the only other rookie not named Aaron Judge to win the title.

2. Breaking the Mets Single-Season Record

With 41 home runs going into the end of August, Alonso was tied in a dead heat with Todd Hundley and Carlos Beltrán for the franchise single-season record. Against the Cubs in a 5-2 loss, Alonso took the Mets crown for himself to break the record at home. Following a curtain call from the dugout, Alonso was officially 11 home runs away from the last highlight on this list.

1. No. 53

Alonso went into the final three games of the season needing two home runs to break Aaron Judge’s record of 52 bombs from 2017. In back-to-back games against Atlanta, Alonso tied and broke Judge’s mark to stand alone. To cap off such a magical season, the slugger was awarded the NL’s Rookie of the Year award and was named a member of the All-MLB First Team.