New York Mets star Pete Alonso reached a milestone Tuesday in a 13-5 win over the Atlanta Braves. Alonso hit the 253rd and 254th home runs of his career, surpassing Darryl Strawberry as the franchiseâs new all-time home run king.
Prior to Thursdayâs series-finale with Atlanta, Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen gifted Alonso with a custom painting made from 253 baseballs that dipict Alonso in his record-breaking home run trot.
Turns out, that wasnât the only gift he received.
The Mets also posted a video on social media of Ford surprising the slugging first baseman with a new F-150 truck to commemorate his achievement in franchise lore. Alonso â who has served as a sponsor for Ford in the past â could hardly contain his excitement when he was presented with his new ride, along with a chain necklace carrying a personalized license plate that reads, âNYM 253.â
âIâm speechless,â Alonso said after getting behind the wheel. âOh my God. Wow. ⦠This is so unexpected but wow, just wow.â
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When Did Pete Alonso Break the Metsâ Home Run Mark?
Alonso, 30, hit his record-breaking home run off Braves right-hander Spencer Strider, a two-run shot in the third inning Tuesday that traveled 394 feet and landed in the visitorâs bullpen.
Moments later, Strawberry, whose record of 252 had stood since 1988, congratulated Alonso in a video released by team.
âListen, you have worked hard, you have stood up in the pressure of New York City and you have played well,â Strawberry said. âIt is well-deserved. You are a homegrown player. Again, congratulations, and continue to have great success. All the best, buddy.â
Alonso added a solo homer in the sixth inning off lefty Austin Cox to cap a 3-for-5, three-RBI day.
Alonso now has 28 homers â one behind outfielder Juan Soto for the team lead â and leads all of MLB with 99 RBI. He appeared in his fifth All-Star Game last month.
What is the Metsâ Record?
Alonso has been on a power surge of late, hitting six homers in 12 games this month. Unfortunately for the Mets, it has not translated into many wins.
The Mets are in a free-fall, having lost 13 of 15 games to drop to 64-57. They entered Fridayâs game against the Seattle Mariners only a half game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the third wild card in the National League and 5.0 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.
The Metsâ lineup has been a big culprit. They are tied for 14th in runs scored (535) but rank 23rd in batting average with runners in scoring position (.237).
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