Pete Alonso burst onto the scene in 2019. After breaking record after record, new Mets manager Carlos Beltran --like everybody else -- took notice.
Beltran, a former slugger himself who hit 149 home runs in a Mets uniform, including 41 in 2006, said he needs no introduction to Alonso. He's well aware of what he's capable of.
The skipper also plans to add to Alonso's duties.
Beltran said on Monday he wants Alonso, who hit 53 homers in his rookie season, to take a bigger leadership role next season.
"Oh my god, what an amazing year. So happy to see a younger guy have such a great year," Beltran said during an appearance Monday on WFAN. "He sounds like such a humble person, such a humble guy. I want to empower Alonso to become a leader in our ball club, in our clubhouse."
Continuing, Beltran said he doesn't want Alonso to act as if he's still green in 2020. He wants him to be comfortable as a leader.
"A lot of times when you're a younger player, you feel that you don't have a voice, but I feel like when you do play every day, and especially a guy like Alonso that has contributed so much to this organization, yes, you do have a voice and I want to empower him to feel free to speak -- to say the things he wants to say," Beltran said.
Toward the end of the 2019 season, Alonso discussed his prospects of being a leader. Alonso, 24, said he'd welcome such a role, but he'll do it in Polar Bear style.
"I didn't say I wanted to be a leader and I don't want to assume a position,'' Alonso said. "I just want to be myself, be Pete, and help my teammates get better."