Polar Bear Breaks Records

2019 was supposed to be a big year for the Mets. A lot of people, myself included, had them pegged as a Wild Card team. That didn't happen, sadly. But what did happen was one of their players placing his name in the record books. Not only the Mets record books, but the Major League Baseball record books.

It happened in the bottom of the 3rd inning. New York already had a 2-0 lead when Pete Alonso strode to the plate. on a 21-2 pitch, the Polar Bear did this:


That swing set the Major League record for home runs by a rookie in a single season. It broke the old record of 52, which Aaron Judge set two years ago with 52.

Oh but wait, there's more to this. That set the Major League record. Alonso has already set Mets club records. As this year went along, Alonso set Mets club records for homers, total bases (347) and extra-base hits (85). He has 120 RBIs and 102 runs, becoming the first Mets rookie to reach triple digits in both categories. Oh yeah, Pete also has a shot to be just the third Home Run Derby winner to finish the season with the most homers in baseball. The others to do it were Ryan Howard in 2006 with 58 homers, and Sammy Sosa did it in 2000 with 50 homers.

Its been a great year for the Mets rookie first baseman, a guy who some didn't see making the team out of camp. He's been the brightest spot on offense for the Blue and Orange this year. He is the centerpiece for this offense this year. There should be a bit of a drop off in 2020 for Alonso, but he's still got the position on lockdown.

Alonso setting record, this kid is kinda good.