BALTIMORE, MD — A brief sprint to the back of Baltimore’s clubhouse late Wednesday afternoon and Pete Alonso changed his pregame sleeveless t-shirt to a white and orange Orioles uniform. On the field at Camden Yards, the O’s were taking a sprint to short center field.
They waited for Alonso to take his position in the middle as O’s team photo day was underway, accustomed to being in that position for the annual team photo after seven years with the New York Mets.
During his time in New York at Citi Field, he played in as many games as he could, missing a total of 24 from 2019-2025 while breaking the Mets single season home run record (53 in 2019) and RBI record (131 in 2022).
So many more records, becoming the Mets’ all-time home run king (264), and game winning moments including that historic go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth inning in Game 3 of the 2024 National League Wild Card series vs. the Brewers.
Etched as one of the all-time great Mets and fan favorites, but the business of baseball interfered.
Comfortable in his new home, Pete Alonso has settled right in as an Oriole and is happy to be Baltimore after spending the first seven years of his MLB career in Queens as a Met – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Alonso and his time in New York quickly concluded this past winter when he signed with the Orioles last December on a five-year/$155 million contract.
The deal runs through the 2030 season, includes a $12.5 million signing bonus, and carries an average annual value of $31 million, marking the largest average annual value (AAV) ever given to a first baseman.
When he departed the Mets, the fan backlash was more towards President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.
From a top prospect in their farm system to one of the best Mets in franchise history, Pete Alonso became the Mets’ all-time home run leader last season (264), surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s 252 HR mark in orange and blue – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
Before and since, Alonso had never displayed anger, nor bitterness. It’s his nature to be calm, cool and collective on and off the field.
“I knew it was coming, but also like there’s a lot of change,” Alonso said to me and a few other New York writers prior to his sprint for a team photo Wednesday afternoon. “Like personally I had to be a ballplayer and a father at the same time.”
He earned the nickname “The Polar Bear” with merchandise of his name sold and still going at a record pace.
And still in touch with former teammates, he said, “I’m happy they are healthy,” referring to Francisco Lindor and pitcher Sean Manaea who’s pitching well.
On a 3-2 fastball from Yankees starter Will Warren in the third inning of Wednesday night’s loss, Pete Alonso hit his 29th home run of 2026 which ties him for the fourth-most in the American League – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
Alonso will return to his old stomping grounds of Citi Field next month when the Mets host the O’s in a three-game series from September 14-16.
He said about that reunion with the only team he knew and where he got the opportunity as a top prospect: “Well, we play the Yankees today, and we’re in a huge divisional battle. Obviously it’s kind of not at the top of the priority list right now, because again I just want to focus on today and every single team who we’re playing across, that’s the focus.”
In his first year as an Oriole (127 games played), Pete Alonso is hitting .267 with an .857 OPS, 29 home runs, and 82 RBI – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
That series he said is coming down the road soon but Alonso has business to take care of now. The Orioles (61-66), in a battle for the third AL Wild Card (1.5 games back), are tied with Detroit and Cleveland who each trail the Guardians, Blue Jays, Rangers, and Twins. A mediocre American League Wild Care picture that will have an interesting and final finish to determine who goes where in October.
It has been an adjustment for the 31-year-old, he loves his new ballpark, home, city surroundings and a Baltimore fan base that is elated to have him. Orioles fans view Alonso as the franchise star that could propel them to a World Series—last won in Baltimore on October 16, 1983, defeating the Phillies (4-1).
Fans of the O’s have grown to love Pete Alonso quickly with their new first baseman making Camden Yards seem small on one swing of the bat – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
Wednesday evening his team lost their second consecutive game to the Yankees, 5-3, a set back with the finale of a three-game series Thursday night. Alonso hit his 29th home run of the season in the third inning, a solo shot off a Will Warren 3-2 fastball.
It was his MLB leading 14th opposite field home run, third most in a season by an Oriole. Then again, the two-time HR Derby Champ, batting second and in the designated hitter spot or at first base, is accustomed to setting records. His 82 RBI are now sixth in the league and with his third-inning blast, Alonso extended his hitting streak to 11-games which tied a career high.
He could have had a multi-home run game but controversy in this unusual baseball season of weirdness became the story. In a tie game during the bottom of the seventh inning, he hit a high towering fly ball down the left field line and as Alonso watched, he trotted to first base and thought it was a home run.
But third base umpire Will Little indicated it was a foul ball. Everyone in the ballpark, even the announcing teams with exception of Yankees manager Aaron Boone thought Alonso had the home run after the crew chief Little called for a replay review. Though officials in New York’s replay headquarters stood with the call.
Alonso explained in his usual calm demeanor: “It is what it is. The video room and the umpire at third base, they called it foul. That’s the only opinions that matter.”
Pete Alonso was just as confused as every one else watching the Yankees-Orioles game Wednesday night as he hit a towering home run in the eighth inning that was called a foul ball – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports
But it certainly looked from the human eye to be a home run. Alonso as always provided the proper response, even stating with all the new technology used in MLB that a laser type of line could be implemented to assist with the replay review. He said there was an immediate momentum shift from that.
“Looking at the video, the view from where the camera was pointing straight down the line. From what it looked like, it was to the right of the yellow line so I thought it was fair.”
That was the competitiveness of Pete Alonso in a Mets uniform. Fans will always remember that, his former teammates too and how he was always there for support after a bad game. The media was always reciprocated with the proper pre and post game comments as well.
Like he did during his time in New York, Pete Alonso is now making a winning impact for the Orioles in Baltimore on and off the field – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
But now he is content in Baltimore. Mets fans have come to accept that with shouts of support on social media as they plan to stand in his honor next month. His rookie home run record (53) he set in 2019 surpassed the mark set by Yankees captain Aaron Judge two years before.
“Things are firing on all cylinders which is nice,” he said.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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