All [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] has done since leaving Gainesville is hit home runs.
On Sunday, the former Gator and current New York Met joined a historic group after homering twice in a 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners. Alonso has reached 40 home runs in three of his five seasons in the MLB, joining Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols as the fifth player to accomplish the feat in league history, according to ESPN.
Kiner and Mathrews are already Hall of Famers, and Pujols most certainly will be a first-ballot member. Alonso is joining elite company and should go down as one of the best power hitters of his generation. It hasn’t been enough to win an MVP yet, but he finished in the top 10 in 2022 (also in 2019).
“Kind of mind-baffling,” Alonso said. “Impressive names. I had no idea.”
Alonso’s contact tool is what’s holding him back from being a legitimate MVP candidate, and his .225 average this season is the worst of his career. 2024 will be his final arbitration-eligible season with the Mets, meaning he could enter free agency in the summer of 2025. The former Gator is already being paid $14.5 million this year and should get a raise over the offseason.
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