Pete Alonso Homers in Yankees Debut, Reflects on Mets Departure

Key facts

• Pete Alonso signed a $155 million, five-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles in December.
• Alonso hit a tying home run in the second inning off Yankees starter Will Warren.
• The home run was Alonso's fifth of the season and his eighth at Yankee Stadium in 20 games there.
• Alonso is batting.203 with five home runs and 14 RBIs for the Orioles.
• Alonso said he never heard from Mets owner Steve Cohen or president of baseball operations David Stearns before signing.
• The Mets replaced Alonso with Jorge Polanco on a $40 million, two-year deal; Polanco is currently on the injured list.
• New York has used five different first basemen this season and began Friday with a MLB-worst 10-21 record.

A Homecoming with a New Uniform

Pete Alonso made his first appearance at Yankee Stadium as a visiting player on Friday, and his first swing in the Bronx with the Baltimore Orioles produced a familiar result: a home run. The solo shot in the second inning tied the game 1-1, though the Orioles ultimately fell 7-2. Alonso, who spent his first seven seasons with the Mets, signed a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore in December after the Mets declined to offer him a new deal. The home run was his fifth of the season and second in four games, but his average remains a modest.203.

The Emotional Return to New York

Alonso acknowledged the strangeness of returning to New York as an opponent. "It's awesome to kind of come in wearing new colors and it's like all right instead of like a crosstown rival, now we're a divisional rival," he said. He also joked about the city's notorious traffic, noting that the drive from Newark airport reminded him he was back. "We flew into Newark, and then, I'm like, 'We're definitely back because we hit an insufferable wall of traffic,'" Alonso told SNY. He added that Baltimore has traffic too, "just not an insufferable wall of traffic."

A Break from the Mets: No Final Conversation

Alonso revealed that he never heard from Mets owner Steve Cohen or president of baseball operations David Stearns before signing with Baltimore. "For me, having that respect from the guys that I was with every day, the guys that I was going to battle with so to speak, from the manager to the players, having that respect is obviously nice," he said. "But there's no final conversation from a brass or ownership standpoint." The Mets, who finished 83-79 last season and missed the playoffs by one game, also let closer Edwin Díaz leave and traded Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. They replaced Alonso with Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million contract, but Polanco has played only two games at first base and is currently on the injured list with a bruised right wrist.

Flashes of the Polar Bear

Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz expressed confidence that Alonso will find his form. "He's showing flashes of the Pete Alonso we all know and love," Albernaz said before the game. "To me, it's probably just getting used to the change of scenery, but also getting into the flow of the season as well." Alonso's home run on Friday was his eighth at Yankee Stadium in 20 career games there. He was the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting a major league-high 53 home runs with 120 RBIs. Alonso said he feels aligned with the Orioles organization: "Both the Orioles as an organization and myself, I feel like we align and fit perfectly."

A New Chapter in a Divisional Rivalry

The Orioles and Yankees are now divisional foes, adding an extra layer to Alonso's return. The Mets, meanwhile, have struggled to replace him, using five different first basemen and posting a MLB-worst 10-21 record through Friday. Alonso's departure marks the end of an era for a homegrown talent who became a fan favorite at Citi Field. Alonso reflected on his journey from the Brooklyn Cyclones to the majors: "You go down memory lane. There's a lot of things you think about just being here for so long." His new team hopes his power surge is a sign of things to come as the season progresses.

The bottom line

• Pete Alonso homered in his first game at Yankee Stadium as a Baltimore Oriole, tying the game in the second inning.
• Alonso signed a $155 million, five-year contract with the Orioles after the Mets did not offer him a new deal.
• Alonso said he never heard from Mets ownership or front office before leaving.
• The Mets have struggled without Alonso, using five first basemen and owning MLB's worst record at 10-21.
• Alonso is hitting.203 with five home runs and 14 RBIs, but his manager sees flashes of his former self.
• The Orioles and Yankees are now divisional rivals, adding intensity to Alonso's return to New York.