Pete Alonso’s homecoming to Citi Field Monday night in his first game back since leaving the New York Mets for the Baltimore Orioles was an emotional one.
On Tuesday he punctuated the homecoming with a significant career milestone. In the second game of the series between the Mets and Orioles, Alonso hit the 300th home run of his career.
He hit the solo shot in the top of the ninth inning. And despite tying the game with the Mets at 3-3, Alonso’s shot received some cheers from at least a few of the Mets faithful in the stands.
Several fans wearing Mets jerseys stood up and greeted Alonso’s achievement with an ovation.
Alonso spent his first seven MLB seasons playing for the Mets and his 264 of his now 300 home runs in a New York uniform. He was one baseball’s most exciting sluggers throughout his Mets tenure and remains beloved in New York, as evidenced by his warm welcome Monday night.
Fans arrived at Citi Field with signs greeting Alonso, with one reading “We Miss You Pete!” The Mets greeted him with a tribute video on the video board, and the crowd serenaded him with a chant and multiple standing ovations.
Alonso’s former Mets teammates including Francisco Lindo joined in on the ovation when Alonso took the plate for his first at-bat. Alonso reciprocated the love by removing his helmet and ackowledging the crowd.
Alonso went hitless Monday night, but this Orioles left the game with a 2-1 victory.
But on Tuesday, he delivered with the home-run power that made him a beloved figure in Queens to begin with.
This story will be updated.
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