Mets’ Pete Alonso Breaks NL Rookie Home Run Record with 40th Blast

By Jerry Del Priore

It’s late August, and Pete Alonso has already broken the National League (NL) rookie home run record with his 40th long ball of the season, a blast to left field in the top of the ninth in the New York Mets’ 11-5 win over the Kanas City Royals Sunday afternoon at Kaufman Stadium. 

It was Alonso’s sixth homer of August.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Cody Bellinger held the previous rookie-setting mark with 39 dingers in 2017. New York Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge holds the MLB home run record with 50, set in ’17. 

The Polar Bear is a huge reason why the Mets (64-60) are in the thick of things for a playoff spot in the NL. For instance, Alonso’s two-run, game-winning single put the Mets ahead, 3-1, against the Royals last night. 

Additiontionaly, the 24-year-old slugger has driven in 95 runs to go along with a .375 OBP and a .979 OPS. Alonso also said that a Kansas City fan gave him the record-setting ball, with him signing a few memorabilia pieces for the fan in return. 

New York general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s decision to break spring training camp with Alonso on the team looks like a brilliant one at this junctor, and it doesn’t seem like it will change any time soon. 

Alonso’s raw power and clutch hitting have the Mets believing they could be playoff-bound.

To quote Alonso: “LFGM.”