During an Instagram Live with SNY's Justine Ward, former Met Todd Frazier gave some major praise for a certain rookie that really impressed him in 2019.
Pete Alonso "took New York by storm," as Frazier put it, and it was truly something that the veteran couldn't fathom. It was something he hadn't seen during all his years in the league.
"The first thing that comes to mind is how quickly he took New York by storm," he said. "You don't see that happening in small market teams, let alone New York. They welcomed him with open arms. He's a guy that has a great personality, let alone he hits monster bombs all the time -- that helps a little bit.
"He's a guy that New York needs. They better not let him go. He's going to break a lot of records as he grows."
Alonso quickly became a face of this Mets franchise after doing exactly what Frazier said in breaking Aaron Judge's rookie home run record with 53 dingers last season. Frazier even said when Alonso would go on his hot streaks that he "rode his coattails during the season."
But that isn't all.
Alonso's personality, one that is big, boisterous, and pleasantly non-forgiving whenever he speaks, radiated with the team and city. He truly embraced his new city on and off the diamond, which is why many are already calling for him to be named the team's next captain.
Does Frazier feel the same way?
"Yeah, I can see it happening. I don't think right away right now," Frazier said. "I think let him get his feet wet a little more. I think it definitely should happen, but I think that will be a little more pressure on his shoulders that he really doesn't need right now. I think just let him go play and be that happy-go-lucky kid and let everything come natural. Then eventually, he'll become that big dog and that big polar bear we know he'll be."
Frazier's latest team is the Rangers after the Mets let him go in free agency, though he might not even play at Texas' new stadium or at all for that matter due to MLB's suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Frazier got to experience Alonso's first season in the bigs, and he knows he has greatness written all over those No. 20 blue and orange threads.
Video: BNNY: Living Room Edition, let's talk Pete Alonso!
