Tag: Pete Alonso

Why is Mets star Pete Alonso nicknamed Polar Bear? Here’s the answer.

The origin story of Polar Pete is actually hilarious.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is one of the most important players on the team and he also has a fun nickname.

Alonso, who was selected by the Mets in the 2016 MLB Draft, currently has the third-most home runs in franchise history. The man behind New York’s playoff pumpkin recently crushed one of the most unforgettable homers of the postseason for the team.

But long before he was crushing dingers for New York, he was a prospect who had not yet made a name for himself. That is when he became known around the organization as Polar Bear.

According to Alonso, the nickname came from former Mets teammate Todd Frazier back in 2019 (via New York Post):

“In Spring Training, he said ‘You look like a big, damn polar bear.’ And then it just kind of stuck … So if any of you guys know Todd Frazier, he’s a loud mouth from Jersey. He tells it how it is. But I love that guy. He’s a great teammate. But he’s quite the character. He’s a clown. But definitely got it from him.”

Another former teammate, pitcher Noah Syndergaard, called him “Pete The Polar Bear” and other teammates once even brought a giant polar bear stuffed animal to the field.

The Mets have done a bobblehead for Alonso as a polar bear and some fans have dressed up as a polar bear to show their support.

So that is the story behind Polar Pete, who has ice in his veins.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1374]

How to buy New York Mets 2024 NLCS tickets

The New York Mets are headed to the NLCS after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies and tickets are selling fast.

OMG, the New York Mets are headed to the National League Championship Series.

The Mets advanced from the Division Series on Wednesday, eliminating their, the Philadelphia Phillies, in four games.

While the Mets do not yet know their opponent, the team will open the series on the road no matter which California team moves onto the NLCS.

Tickets are already available for the Mets NLCS home games, which would be Game 3, Game 4 and potentially Game 5 if the series reaches that far.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NY Mets 2024 playoff tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l3wQsP/pubref:SMGMLBMetsNLCS/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fnew-york-mets-tickets%2Fcategory%2F138308300″]

2024 NLCS schedule

Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 13 at LA Dodgers/SD Padres, time TBD

Game 2: Monday, Oct. 14 at LA Dodgers/SD Padres, time TBD

Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16 at New York Mets, time TBD – BUY TICKETS

Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 17 at New York Mets, time TBD – BUY TICKETS

Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, Oct. 18 at New York Mets, time TBD – BUY TICKETS

Game 6 (if necessary): Sunday, Oct. 20 at LA Dodgers/SD Padres, time TBD

Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, Oct. 21 at LA Dodgers/SD Padres, time TBD

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NY Mets 2024 playoff tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l3wQsP/pubref:SMGMLBMetsNLCS/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fnew-york-mets-tickets%2Fcategory%2F138308300″]

NY Mets NLCS ticket prices

Home Game 1: From $297

Home Game 2: From $286

Home Game 3 (if necessary): From $273

Hypothetical Mets World Series tickets are also available. The tickets are conditional, so if the Mets’ playoff run continues, you’re in. If they do not win the pennant, you will receive a refund.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NY Mets 2024 playoff tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l3wQsP/pubref:SMGMLBMetsNLCS/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fnew-york-mets-tickets%2Fcategory%2F138308300″]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Pete Alonso wills Mets into NLDS with go-ahead homer

Pete Alonso hit one of the most dramatic home runs in MLB Postseason history Thursday to extend the New York Mets’ season.

Game on the line. Down two runs. Staring down the barrel of elimination.

It’s the moment you simulate in your backyard as a little kid. The one you might get in a high school game or at a travel ball tournament, but it’s never happened before the big leagues.

On Thursday, New York Mets slugger [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] crushed the first go-ahead home run while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game.

The former Gator looked shocked rounding the bases after giving the Mets a 4-3 lead. So was everyone else in the stadium, including Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose — whose call might go down as legendary as the actual home run.

Alonso began the postseason in a 1-for-11 slump. With free agency looming, it looked like his Mets career was coming to an end in the most disappointing fashion.

Then, Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams hung a 3-1 changeup.

Alonso didn’t miss it. He sent a line drive screeching toward right field, with an exit velocity of 105 mph and a launch angle of 22 degrees. For those who are not well-versed in the world of batted-ball metrics, those two numbers mean he squared it up as much as possible.

Line drives don’t always clear the fence, though. Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick got to the wall at the same time as the ball, but it was just out of reach. Pandemonium ensued.

It’s one of the greatest moments in MLB postseason history, and it gave New York fans at least three more games with the man nicknamed “The Polar Bear.”

Alonso and the Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday at 4:08 p.m.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

The Pete Alonso home run edited like it was in Moneyball will give you chills

How can you not be romantic about this Pete Alonso home run?

Pete Alonso crushed a home run in the ninth inning and it felt like a movie.

As the ball came off the bat of the New York Mets slugger, the intersection between sports and cinema blended into one. No matter whether or not you were emotionally invested in this game, it felt like time slowed down.

For baseball fans who also like to nerd out at the movie theater, some fans were able to provide the perfect edit for you. It is a highlight of the play but edited to feel like it was included in Moneyball (2011) from Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, including the lovely song “The Mighty Rio Grande” by This Will Destroy You.

First, we can take a look at a version that uses the radio call from Mets announcer Howie Rose:

Another fantastic edit does not use Rose’s voice but instead the national broadcast from ESPN.

While this one doesn’t have the local passion, it does include some of the other highlights from the ninth inning like Jesse Winker slamming his helmet after scoring another run and the double-play ball from Francisco Lindor.

This is beautiful no matter who you are, but it is especially beautiful if you’re a Mets fan who happened to love Moneyball.

Because how can you not be romantic about baseball?

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1374]

Mets played the Pete Alonso home run radio call from Howie Rose on the plane and everyone cheered

Rose gave a handshake to Alonso after this incredible moment.

The New York Mets had an improbable and remarkable comeback victory thanks to an amazin’ home run from slugger Pete Alonso.

Alonso, who immediately he crushed that thing over the fence, will help lead New York to the NLDS after securing a surprising but crucial postseason win over the Brewers.

The home run was outstanding but so was the radio call from longtime Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose (perhaps the best of his entire career). It was so awesome, in fact, that the franchise decided to play it on the speakers of the team plane.

METS: The radio call of Pete Alonso’s go-ahead ninth inning HR is so awesome

Rose, understandably, seemed a bit uncomfortable to hear the sound of his own voice at first.

But emotions cooled as the entire team cheered for him, some even getting to their feet to give him a standing ovation.

The announcer saluted the players in the back for their hard work on the field, high-fiving staffers and giving a handshake to Alonso himself for the accomplishment.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1374]

Was Devin Williams tipping his pitches before Pete Alonso home run? Jomboy breaks it down.

Maybe this explains why Pete Alonso hit that improbable home run.

Uh-oh.

Pete Alonso’s unreal ninth-inning home run off mostly unhittable Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams was the most improbable thing. A home run from a slumping first baseman in a win-or-go-home game in the ninth, one to the opposite field off a pitcher who almost never gives them up? WHAT?

But maybe there was a reason for that. And for that, we have Jomboy to thank with a breakdown that shows that Williams might have been tipping his pitches on Thursday night.

You can see some subtle but noteworthy changes he makes as he comes set. And that means maybe Alonso knew what was coming.

Watch:

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1374]

The Mets’ radio call of Pete Alonso’s go-ahead ninth inning HR is so awesome

OMG!

OMG Pete Alonso!

On Thursday, the New York Mets stunned the Milwaukee Brewers in their winner-take-all Game 3 of the NL Wild Card. With the Mets down 2-0, Alonso smashed a go-ahead ninth inning home run to completely flip the script on the Brewers with their backs against the wall.

Alonso’s home run now means the Mets are headed to the NLDS to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-five series starting Saturday. The moment was already incredible if you were a Mets fan, but the voice of Howie Rose on New York’s own radio station captured the pure excitement of Alonso’s stunning blast.

Pete Alonso knew instantly that he hit the series-winning ninth inning home run for the Mets

ALONSO!!!

The New York Mets faced down elimination in Milwaukee on Thursday night, and first baseman Pete Alonso knew what his team needed at the top of the ninth inning.

Scoreless and down two runs to the Brewers, Alonso blasted a home run out of American Family Field with two runners on base to give the Mets a 3-2 lead late in the playoff contest. He knew it immediately after the hit.

As far as 2024 MLB playoff dramatics go, Alonso’s late-game heroics will go down in Mets legend. If you’re a Brewers fan, you might not want to watch this clip again after dropping the game, 4-2, right at the end.

Alonso’s three-run homer was a brutal swing for Milwaukee and a saving grace for New York.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN. 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1374]

Multiple Gators land on ESPN’s 2024 midseason top 100 MLB prospects rankings

Jac Caglianone headlines a group of Gators listed on ESPN’s 2024 midseason top 100 MLB prospects rankings.

Florida baseball has been dishing out MLB-ready players throughout the years with over 80 players making it to the Major Leagues in its history.

The amount of high-level talent that the Gators have produced is incredible. Florida alumni like [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag], [autotag]Brady Singer[/autotag] and Wyatt Langford have each made an impact on the professional stage.

So it comes to no surprise that a few former Gators have landed on ESPN’s MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel’s midseason top 100 prospects rankings.

The Gators that are mentioned in the top 100 rankings are Jac Caglianone, Brandon Sproat and Hurston Waldrep. So where do they each rank on the list?

Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals) – No. 26

Position: 1B

Level: High-A

The Royals selected Caglianone with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft after the two-way player had a stellar career with Florida.

In his last season with the Gators, Caglianone started all 66 games and batted .419 with 35 home runs (a single-season program record) and 72 RBI.

As a pitcher, Caglianone threw for 73.2 innings, had a 4.76 ERA and 83 strikeouts.

There’s still some work that needs to be done fielding-wise. Now, the Royals haven’t necessarily shut the door on him pitching yet, but I just don’t see him being effective on the mound at the major league level. If he can work on his fielding at first base, there’s no doubt in my mind that Caglianone can be a great player in the pros.

Brandon Sproat (New York Mets) – No. 71

Position: RHP

Level: AAA

Sproat was selected No. 56 overall by the Mets in the second round of the 2023 draft.

Sproat’s variety of pitches (fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and cutter) are what makes him so deceptive on the mound. His fastball has touched triple digits before but it usually sits around 95-97 mph.

The Mets just moved Sproat up after a 13-strikeout performance to Triple-A. Posting a 2.45 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 62.1 innings of work in Double-A, the right-hander is the highest-rated prospect in the Mets’ farm system.

Hurston Waldrep (Atlanta Braves) – No. 98

Position: RHP

Level: AAA

At the 98th spot, Waldrep just snuck into the rankings, but nonetheless, the right-handed pitcher shows why he belongs.

The Atlanta Braves selected Waldrep with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 draft. The 22-year-old is pitching at the Triple-A level where he has an ERA of 5.68 with 19 strikeouts in 12.2 innings.

Waldrep even played a couple of games at the MLB level but they were shaky. He gave up six and seven earned runs to the Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals, respectively.

There’s no doubt that Waldrep has some things he needs to work on such as his command and control. But he’s still very young and I believe he has a lot of potential.

ESPN’s Top Five Prospects

The top five prospects on McDaniel’s rankings are Jackson Holliday (Baltimore Orioles), James Wood (Washington Nationals), Carson Williams (Tampa Bay Rays), Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays) and Marcelo Mayer (Boston Red Sox).

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebookto follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Highlights from Pete Alonso in 2024 MLB Home Run Derby

Pete Alonso made his fifth appearance in the Home Run Derby, but for the second straight year, bowed out in the first round.

Former Florida standout and current New York Mets slugger [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] fizzled out in the first round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby in his fifth event appearance. It is the second straight time he has exited the competition after the opening set.

Alonso earned the trophy in back-to-back seasons (2019-2020).

He slugged just five home runs this summer before taking his first timeout with 1:37 left on a three-minute timer. The breather did not help, however, as Alonso only knocked four more beyond the fence before time expired.

He added three more in bonus time, but it was still far from the 19 he needed to advance to the semifinals.

According to MLB.com, Alonso’s 12 homers averaged 417 feet and a 105.5-mph exit velocity. The hardest ball he hit came off the bat at 109 mph and the farthest ball he hit went 446 feet.