Pete Alonso now stands alone in Mets' home run history.
Leading off the bottom of the fourth inning of Tuesday's game against the Cubs, the rookie smashed his 42nd home run of the season, tagging a Yu Darvish fastball to right-center.
A no-doubt shot, Alonso's 42nd home run of the season gives him sole possession of the Mets' single-season home run record, previously held by Todd Hundley in 1996 and Carlos Beltran in 2006.
"58 years of Mets baseball, and no one has ever hit more home runs in a season as a New York Met."
- SNY (@SNYtv) August 28, 2019
Congrats to your new Mets home run king, @Pete_Alonso20. pic.twitter.com/jx6G45pSvK
After the game, Alonso was humbled by all that he has accomplished.
"When I found out I made the team, I just wanted to make the biggest impact as possible. I didn't want to do the whole up and down situation. I just wanted to be a focal point and stay up here," Alonso said. "This is the end all, be all for me. This is something I put a lot of work into, a lot of sacrifices. Not just me. This is the ultimate for every single baseball player, so it's just been an absolute dream come true. Everything has just been, in a way, just gratified and it's just reassuring that everything has paid off."
Also also expressed his gratitude for the Mets' fanbase, who he says have been nothing but supportive throughout his rookie year.
"The appreciation I have for these Mets fans, the support I've gotten, the love I've gotten, it's just been surreal," said Alonso. "The way that they've kind of embraced me since day one has been extremely special. I just want to reciprocate that."
Meanwhile, his manager was quick to praise Alonso for the way that he's carried himself all season long.
"I think that he's a special player. The way he goes about his business is unique," said Mickey Callaway. "There's just not a ton of guys like him, and I'm proud of him.
"It's a great feat. I'm happy for him because he deserves it. The guy does everything the right way."
The Mets also released statements from both Beltran and Hundley upon Alonso setting the record.
Carlos Beltran: "It's a pleasure to have a fine young player like Pete Alonso break my record. I have not met Pete personally but people have told me he plays the game with passion and doesn't give up on any at-bat. He has had great success in his first year. Again, my congrats, Pete."
Todd Hundley: "To me, he's more than a power hitter, he's a pure hitter. I have seen five or six of his games and he keeps getting better and better. He has just had a tremendous year. Congrats, Pete you deserve all the records you have broken."
To put Alonso's record-setting rookie season in perspective, he's the first rookie to set his team's single-season home record since Pittsburgh's Johnny Rizzo in 1938, who hit just 23 home runs that season. Only two rookies in MLB history hit more home runs than Alonso's current total, Mark McGwire with 49 in 1987 and Aaron Judge with 52 in 2017.
With the homer, Alonso also drove in his 101st run of the season. The Mets' single-season RBI record is 124, set by Mike Piazza in 1999 and tied by David Wright in 2008.
The Citi Field crowd asked for and was given a curtain call from the rookie phenom, who continues to rewrite the rookie history books.
