BREAKING: New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has officially become the franchise’s all-time home run leader, hitting his 253rd career homer on September 26, 2023. The milestone came during a thrilling game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field, where Alonso’s two-run shot in the third inning broke the long-standing record held by Darryl Strawberry for 37 years.
Alonso, who turned 30 this year, crushed a 95.1 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider over the right-center wall, propelling the Mets to a 5-1 lead. He wasn’t finished; later in the sixth inning, Alonso added a solo home run, extending the lead to 11-5.
The Mets celebrated this historic achievement with a special scoreboard graphic displaying the number 253, alongside images of Alonso and polar bears, in homage to his nickname. The atmosphere was electric as Alonso embraced teammates Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, before acknowledging the near-sellout crowd with a cap tip and kisses.
Manager Carlos Mendoza led the team out of the dugout to congratulate Alonso, as chants of his name echoed through the stadium. The moment was further immortalized with a touching video message from Strawberry, who said,
“Congratulations on breaking the home run record. You have worked hard and played well in the pressure of New York City. It is well deserved.”
Alonso tied Strawberry’s record just days earlier on September 23 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He made an explosive entry into Major League Baseball in 2019, hitting 53 home runs in his rookie season, a record that still stands. Since then, he has consistently been among the league’s top sluggers, earning five All-Star selections and hitting over 40 home runs twice.
This season, Alonso has already launched 27 homers, demonstrating his enduring power at the plate. He secured his future with the Mets earlier this year, signing a $54 million two-year deal that includes a $24 million player option for 2026.
With this record-breaking achievement, Alonso joins an elite group of active players leading their franchises in home runs, including Manny Machado of the Padres and Mike Trout of the Angels. Notably, Giancarlo Stanton holds the Miami Marlins record with 267 home runs.
Strawberry’s previous Mets record was set on May 3, 1988, when he hit his 155th home run, surpassing Dave Kingman. Over his eight seasons with the Mets from 1983 to 1990, Strawberry totaled 252 home runs before concluding his career with 335 homers.
Alonso has played 965 regular-season games to date, with a remarkable streak of 372 consecutive games, a franchise record. While the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres have yet to see a player surpass 252 home runs, Gonzalez holds the Arizona record with 224, while Machado stands at 187 for the Padres.
The excitement surrounding Alonso’s achievement is palpable, marking a significant moment in Mets history. Fans and players alike will be eagerly watching as he continues to build on his illustrious legacy in the league.