Pete Alonso’s 2019 season was the stuff of legend. The first baseman set the major league record for home runs by a rookie while earning praise for his leadership and maturity.
To learn why Alonso is destined to become the next Mets captain, click here.
With the current MLB season on hiatus, let’s appreciate all that Alonso accomplished in his historic rookie campaign. These are just some of the ways Alonso rewrote the record books, or as I like to call them, “Pete’s Feats.”
First Rookie to Lead the Majors in Home Runs Outright
Before Alonso topped the majors with 53 dingers in 2019, the only rookies to lead all of baseball in home runs were Tim Jordan of the 1906 Brooklyn Dodgers (who hit 12) and Mark McGwire of the 1987 Oakland A’s (49 HR).
Those players tied for the MLB lead, while Alonso became the first to lead the category outright.
In case you’re wondering, Aaron Judge led the American League with 52 home runs in 2017. But Giancarlo Stanton hit an MLB-best 59 long balls en route to an NL MVP Award with the Marlins.
First Rookie to Set Franchise’s Home Run Record Since 1938
When Alonso hit his 42nd homer of 2019, he surpassed Todd Hundley (in 1996) and Carlos Beltrán (in 2006) for the highest single-season total in Mets history. Excluding first-year franchises, Alonso was the first rookie to set his team’s single-season home run record since Johnny Rizzo clubbed 23 homers for the 1938 Pirates.
Longest Single-Season On-Base Streak in Mets History
Though Alonso primarily grabbed headlines for his home run prowess, he evolved into a more disciplined hitter over the course of 2019. He reached base in 34 straight games from August 2nd to September 9th, slashing .314/.394/.650 with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs over that stretch.
That 34-game span represented the longest single-season on-base streak in Mets history. The only Mets to put together longer on-base streaks over multiple seasons were John Olerud (47, 1998-1999) and David Wright (35, 2006-2007).
Tied for MLB Lead in Go-Ahead RBI
Like Mike Piazza before him, Pete Alonso is the guy fans want at the plate with the game on the line. The Polar Bear was as clutch as can be in 2019, with 32 of his 120 RBIs putting the Mets in front of their opponent. Those 32 go-ahead RBIs tied Anthony Rendon for the major league lead.
Led Majors in Home Runs and RBI in Seventh Inning or Later
In 2019, no hitter was more productive in late-game situations than Pete Alonso. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 48 runs in the seventh inning or later, both of which topped the majors.
One of Alonso’s most impressive traits is how well he handles relief pitching. His first seven big league home runs came off relievers, and he finished the year with a Mets record 21 home runs against bullpen arms.
Homered in Rookie-Record 16 Different Ballparks
No ballpark can contain Alonso’s monstrous power. He cracked 27 of his home runs at Citi Field, a stadium notorious for suppressing roundtrippers. By the end of the season, Alonso set an MLB rookie record by homering in 16 different ballparks, including pitcher-friendly venues like Marlins Park, Petco Park, Oracle Park, Target Field, and Dodger Stadium.
The last Met to homer in as many ballparks in a single year was Mike Piazza, who went deep in 18 different parks in 2000.
First Mets Rookie Position Player to Make All-Star Team
Alonso was the fourth rookie in Mets history to make an All-Star team, joining Tom Seaver (1967), Jerry Koosman (1968), and Dwight Gooden (1984). He also had the distinction of being the only position player in that group.
A day after winning the Home Run Derby, Alonso made the most of his moment in the spotlight by delivering a two-run single in the eighth inning of the All-Star Game. It was yet another historic moment for Alonso, who was the first rookie to record multiple RBIs in the Midsummer Classic.
First Met to Win Home Run Derby Outright
Before he was even asked to participate in the Home Run Derby, Alonso let it be known that if he were to win the competition, he’d donate a portion of the $1 million prize to charity.
Despite less-than-flawless pitching by his cousin, Alonso persevered and capped off the derby with a mighty roar and triumphant bat flip. Alonso became the first Met to win the Home Run Derby outright, as Darryl Strawberry had shared the title with Wally Joyner of the Angels in 1986.
Led Majors in Home Runs Hit 450+ Feet
Alonso hit a total of 53 home runs in 2019, and none of them were wall-scrapers. His longest homer was his first of the second half, a 474-foot moonshot in Minnesota that traveled further than any ball he had hit in the Home Run Derby.
He finished the year with a major league-best seven home runs of 450 feet or more. He also tied Gary Sanchez for the most home runs with an exit velocity of at least 110 miles-per-hour (19).
Searle’s Final Say
Pete Alonso won the hearts of Mets fans with an extraordinary rookie season that ranks among the best ever. He rewrote the record books at every turn while positioning himself to one day become the franchise’s next captain. The Flushing Faithful eagerly await his sophomore season, when he will have the chance to make even more history.
