What has been a fait accompli since the 2019 MLB season ended is now official: Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year.
Alonso beat out finalists Mike Soroka of the Braves and Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres for the award. He received 29 of 30 first-place votes, with the other one going to Soroka. Yordan Alvarez won AL Rookie of the Year unanimously.
"I am so grateful to the Baseball Writers' Association for their recognition," Alonso said. "I'm truly blessed and humbled to be part of a group of some of the best to ever play the game. This season was the most special time I've ever had on a baseball field. I'm extremely thankful to the Mets for allowing me the opportunity to prove myself at the major league level this year. I can't wait to get back to work in the spring and make a push for the postseason in 2020."
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon added: "Pete's historic rookie season created great memories and thrilled Mets fans all year. We are very proud of how he represents our fans, teammates and the organization on and off the field with his energy, enthusiasm and passion."
The 24-year-old Alonso joins Jacob deGrom (2014), Dwight Gooden (1984), Darryl Strawberry (1983), Jon Matlack (1972) and Tom Seaver (1967) as Mets who have won Rookie of the Year.
During his incredible rookie campaign, Alonso quickly shattered the Mets' rookie home run record (which had been 26, accomplished by Strawberry in 1983), toppled the Mets' all-time single-season home run record (which had been 41, accomplished by Todd Hundley in 1996 and Carlos Beltran in 2006) and then set his sights on the MLB all-time single-season home run record.
Alonso hit his 52nd home run in the Mets' third-to-last game of the season, tying Aaron Judge's rookie record. The next night, he crushed his 53rd, surpassing Judge.
The 53 homers Alonso hit in 2019 were also the most in the majors -- edging Eugenio Suarez (49), Jorge Soler (48), Cody Bellinger (47), and Mike Trout (45).
It wasn't just the home runs that made Alonso's season special, though. Overall, Alonso slashed .260/.358/.583 with 53 homers, 30 doubles, 120 RBI, and an OPS+ of 148. His slugging percentage was 10th best in baseball and 6th in the NL, and his 120 RBI were fourth-most in baseball (Anthony Rendon led the majors with 126).