In addition to making a name for himself with light-tower home runs, Mets 1B prospect Pete Alonso has become quite the go-to voice for simple, unique and often bold quotes.
For instance, Sunday, when asked about his mammoth home run Saturday, Alonso said, "We're called hitters, we're not takers," "so if we can get a good pitch, might as well take our chance at it."
Simple. Direct. And to the point...
Along those lines, here are seven noteworthy quotes from Alonso, who still hasn't had a single at bat in the big leagues...
1. Roman gladiators
In an article he wrote for the Sporting News during May, 2018, he compared his climb through the farm system to that of a gladiator fighting his way through battle...
"Believe it or not, baseball players and ancient Roman gladiators aren't so different," he explained. "Bats are our swords used to go on offense. Gloves are our shields, used for defense. ... We perform in stadiums with spectators staring down on us."
"Just like us baseball players, gladiators have to work in order to get to Rome, or the Big Leagues," he continued. "Every time I take the field, it's personal. My livelihood is on the line every day. This is how I'm going to feed my family one day. No one is going to take this away from me. It's either going to be me or you; and it ain't going to be me."
I can already see the marketing materials, Alonso in gladiator gear standing beside Noah Syndergaard dressed as Thor, two titans leading the Mets to victory.
2. He bleeds Mets blue and orange
Last season after not being promoted to the Mets, Alonso's agents took a few public jabs at the Mets, after which Alonso defended both sides during an interview with Mike Puma of the New York Post about the situation and showed no resentment toward the organization that drafted him in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
"They knew I was disappointed," he explained. That said, he said he understood their decision, noting it was OK, because, "I bleed blue and orange."
I don't remember anyone other than David Wright and John Franco sounding this way when discussing being committed to the Mets. It's a statement similar to one a fan might make.
3. He knows he's good
In an interview with the Good Fundies podcast, Alonso said last summer that he's very aware of how his exit velocity and ability to crush a baseball.
"I wouldn't want to pitch to me," he said. "I'm not saying that to come off as cocky or anything."
Nah, not at all. Facts are facts, Pete. Grip and rip it, and stake your claim, buddy!
4. Like us, he loves Mike Piazza
Also during his talk with Good Fundies, Alonso said that he was a fan of Derek Jeter's style, but was a bigger fan of and modeled himself after Mike Piazza's days with the Mets.
"I used to catch back in the day," Alonso explained. "With the Mets, that's when he absolutely dominated and I loved it. I was a power-hitting catcher and so was he, and I saw a lot of parallels, and I just thought he was awesome."
I love that at 10 years old, he saw parallels between himself and the greatest hitting catcher of all-time. This speaks to his confidence... not his cockiness, of course!
5. Again, baseball isn't complicated
"The bases haven't moved since the Civil War, it's a round ball and a round bat," he wrote for the Sporting News late last summer. "It's the same game I have been playing since I was 4 years old."
This is similar to his quote this past weekend. I'm encouraged by knowing he clearly believes the game doesn't have to be complicated and thinks that because of his point of view, it's helped him be successful as a power hitter. This is an indication that he will not get lost in his own head, or let fans and media throw him off of his game. If he keeps it simple stupid, as they say, you and I are just overthinking everything and it's only a matter of time before he gets back on track.
6. Go ahead, be critical, he doesn't care
Alonso brushed off criticism of his swing when talking to Good Fundies, who pointed out experts and insiders suggesting he make adjustments to improve his production.
"Listen to Baseball Tonight, listen to some people talk, it's asinine what they say about hitting."
Video: Pete Alonso crushes first Spring Training home run
I'll gladly put myself in this category, which probably includes most fans, talking heads and reporters. Frankly, I think we all know enough about hitting (and analysis) to be critical. But, it doesn't mean the players have to listen or care what we have to say.
Again, this is another indication that he's confident in his ability and is more likely to lean on advice from his coaches and teammates than any public reaction that leaks in from the outside.
7. Baseball is in his DNA
Lastly, when asked if he always wanted to be a baseball player, he told Good Fundies that he wanted to be a baseball player as far back as when he was three years old."
"My first word was 'ball,'" he stated as fact.
This is too perfect. Of course, my first word was ball and it got me a torn ACL and career behind a laptop, not behind the plate... so, it can go both ways, I guess.
Regardless of his first word, Alonso has immense talent. And, his ability to remain casual and focused will not just make him entertaining in the batter's box, but also when talking to media.
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Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!