No rookie in the history or baseball has ever accomplished what Pete Alonso was able to in 2019.

On Saturday night, Alonso lifted his 53rd home run of the season, breaking the previous record set by Aaron Judge in 2017 for the most home runs ever hit by a rookie.

Alonso's record-breaking moment came in the bottom of the third inning, as he blasted a solo home run off of Mike Foltynewicz that put him alone atop the record books.

"After I hit it I just wanted to see it and enjoy the moment a little bit, because rounding the bases, I think that lasts maybe 20 seconds, maybe 25 seconds, so I just really wanted to enjoy that as much as I can," Alonso said about watching the ball leave the park. "It's not every day that that happens. It was just a magical moment. It's incredible."

After a lengthy standing ovation and a curtain call, Alonso took the field in the top of the fourth. With the crowd still going wild, Alonso was seen with tears in his eyes as he played his position.

"I didn't know that was going to happen. It just means so much, and I didn't know that I was going to be overcome with all of that emotion," Alonso said. "At that point, might as well just let it out"

So what exactly was going through his mind?

"You really want me to say? I'm not going to say. I'm not going to curse, but like 'Holy S, I can't believe that happened.' It was just a magical moment," Alonso said. "For my entire life, I only wanted to be a baseball player. I didn't have a plan b.

"To be a part of Major League Baseball history, to be number one out of every single guy that ever played the game, it's humbling and it's such just a ridiculously awesome feeling. That moment was just pure magic."

As Alonso spoke to reporters after the game, he had his 53rd home run ball in his back pocket. Alonso met with the family who caught the ball, and spent time with them after the game. He signed some merchandise for the family's two children, and made sure the entire family would always remember the moment.

"I was just really gracious that they were willing to give me the ball," Alonso said.

Alonso hit both his record-tying and record-breaking blasts in front of the Citi Field crowd, and he was especially thankful to Mets fans for being behind him all the way.

"Playing here at Citi, when this place gets going, it's rocking. I think this is one of the most special places to play in the game of baseball," said Alonso. "It's exciting to play here. … I'm just so thankful and I just want to keep saying thank you to everybody in the city, and to Mets fans especially because this is home now."

Popular in the Community