New York (AFP) – Pete Alonso became the New York Mets all-time home run leader on Tuesday, smashing two homers to spark the Mets over Atlanta 13-5 and reach 254 for his Major League Baseball career. The 30-year-old American first baseman overtook Darryl Strawberry’s old record total of 252 homers with a two-run blast off Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider in the third inning at Citi Field before cheering home supporters.
Alonso, who has spent all seven of his MLB seasons with the Mets, added a solo homer off Atlanta reliever Austin Cox in the sixth inning to reach 254 career homers and give the Mets an 11-5 lead. The Mets, who entered the National League as an expansion club in 1962, improved to 64-55, second in the NL East division and clinging to the final NL wildcard playoff spot.
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Alonso broke the record in 965 games, 141 fewer than Strawberry had taken to reach 252. Except for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Alonso has smacked at least 34 homers every season and has belted 28 so far this year. Alonso could have departed after last season but signed a two-year deal worth $54 million with an opt-out clause after this season.
Alonso, a five-time MLB All-Star, was the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year after leading the major leagues with 53 homers. New York’s deepest playoff run since Alonso joined the squad came last year, when the Mets lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.
© 2024 AFP
