Pete Alonso’s return to New York has been a nostalgic journey. Arriving late Thursday night and taking the field on Friday, he reflected on his past with the Mets, marking his first visit back after more than seven years.
After signing a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles, Alonso seemed a bit at a loss for words when discussing the significance of being back in the city.
He reminisced about his early days in professional baseball with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2016 and recalled the 2022 and 2024 playoffs as some of the most memorable experiences in his career.
Following a game for the Orioles, wherein he hit a home run against the Yankees, Alonso shared some intimate moments from his time with the Mets, such as the day he and his wife, Haley, welcomed their first child, a boy, immediately after a grueling 11-inning game.
“When you’ve spent considerable time here, a lot comes to mind,” he mentioned, reflecting on the bustling streets of Manhattan following the Orioles’ 7-2 defeat. “Just being in the city and recalling those memories feels really special.”
In his first at-bat of the game, Alonso made an immediate impact by hitting a homer off pitcher Will Warren. He ended the game with one hit, two walks, and two runs scored.
Strolling through the city, Alonso expressed a sense of familiarity, likening it to being back in his old neighborhood. He even pondered over his favorite eateries, giving a nod to his top pick, Ci Siamo, and sending a shout-out to Chef Hilary.
As for his time at Citi Field, he was uncertain if that had been his final game there before the arrival of his son. “I hadn’t thought about it that much,” he admitted. “Honestly, I was more absorbed in the fact that the season had ended and I had other priorities. My focus shifted to my family and stepping into my roles as a father and husband.”
He noted that free agency wasn’t on his radar until after the World Series concluded.
Since joining the Orioles, Alonso hasn’t quite hit his stride yet; as of Friday, he was batting .198 with four home runs and a .668 OPS over 31 games.
