Two Orioles Icons Welcome Pete Alonso to Baltimore
Recently, Pete Alonso signed a five-year contract worth $155 million, transitioning from the Mets to the Orioles. This news sparked excitement among baseball legends Cal Ripken Jr. and Jim Palmer, who expressed their enthusiasm about the star slugger joining the team.
On social media, Palmer shared his excitement, mentioning how he was pleased the Mets hadn’t secured Alonso. He quipped, “272, 38, 126 RBI, 309 lisp isn’t impressive enough. Now the O’s are going to move the left field wall again and call it the Alonso-Ward splash zone…??” His humor about the team’s plans added a light-hearted touch.
Despite some mixed reactions from fans, Palmer maintained a positive view of Alonso. He drew comparisons to former player Frank Robinson while highlighting Alonso’s powerful presence in the game. “Pete Alonso is more like a Lee May acquisition. He has more power than Lee,” he noted, expressing confidence in Alonso’s contributions both on and off the field.
Ripken Jr. also chimed in with his welcoming message, looking forward to sharing Maryland’s famous crab delicacies with Alonso. In a post that included a crab emoji, he cheerfully invited Alonso to enjoy local cuisine.
Alonso had previously spent his entire career with the Mets before his recent free agency move. Interestingly, he was one of two prominent players to depart shortly after Edwin Diaz agreed to a contract with the Dodgers.
This shake-up left several Mets fans feeling disheartened, with franchise icon Keith Hernandez expressing his surprise. “I’m a little speechless,” he stated. “This is very explosive. I don’t think I’ve seen a movement in a new direction like this in all the years I’ve been with the Mets.” His words captured the gravity of the situation as the team experiences significant changes.
Interestingly, Alonso will have the opportunity to bid farewell to Mets fans in September 2026 when the Orioles visit Citi Field for a three-game series, allowing him a moment to reflect on his time with the Mets.
