Pete Alonso stepped back onto Citi Field on Monday, but this time he was in a Baltimore Orioles uniform, and the roar from the crowd was absolutely insane. The dude, batting second for Baltimore, got a full-on standing ovation as his old walk-up song, “Layla,” blasted over the loudspeakers. He recognized it all, taking off his helmet and tipping it to the fans who used to cheer him as their main man for seven seasons. Talk about a moment.
The Tears, The Cheers, The Tribute
Before the first pitch even flew, you could hear the fans chanting Alonso’s name. It was loud, it was emotional, and it was a massive show of appreciation for everything he did for the Mets in Queens. The Mets even threw up a tribute video on the scoreboard for their longtime slugger, and his former teammates, including Francisco Lindor, were right there applauding with everyone else. Lindor actually told the New York Post’s Dan Martin beforehand that it “better be electric,” and that “He deserves it.” He called Alonso a “great teammate” and a “great person,” wishing him “nothing but the best, good luck and have fun. Then we’ve got to play.” The chants kept going even after the game officially started, even after Alonso flew out to right field in his first at-bat. That kind of reception tells you everything you need to know about his impact.
A Slugger’s Legacy and a Bitter Goodbye
Alonso’s numbers with the Mets were no joke: a .253/.341/.516 slash line with 264 home runs and 712 RBI over seven seasons. He absolutely exploded in 2019, winning NL Rookie of the Year with a ridiculous 53 homers, and he ended up having three seasons where he smacked 40 or more dingers for New York. The guy was an NL All-Star five times. And let’s not forget his biggest moment: the decisive Game 3 of the 2024 NL wild-card playoff series. He crushed a three-run shot off Brewers closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning for a 4-2 win, sending the Mets past Milwaukee and then the Phillies in the NL Division Series, before they ultimately lost to the Dodgers in the NLCS.
But here’s the kicker, the part that probably stings the most for Mets fans: Alonso is rocking an Orioles jersey because he signed a five-year, $130 million deal with them. He opted out of a two-year deal he had with the Mets after he couldn’t get a long-term contract in the 2024 offseason. He clearly believed in himself, knowing he could earn a better deal. And he proved it, hitting 38 homers, 41 doubles, and 126 RBI, playing in all 162 games last season.
What’s next for Alonso? He’s locked in with the Orioles for the foreseeable future. This return to Citi Field was about respect and history, a chance for fans to acknowledge what he brought to the team. But now, it’s back to business. He’s still that power hitter, ready to put up huge numbers. Can he bring that postseason magic to Baltimore? That’s the real question.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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