Peter Alonso Sets The Mets Single Season Home Run Record

This is Peter Alonso’s year!

He got engaged to Haley Renee (on Nov. 28), got his start in the Majors after Spring Training, pasted the National League rookie home run record (39), won the home run derby as a rookie, and has now set the N.Y. Mets single season home run record.

No one has ever hit more home runs in a Mets jersey than Peter Alonso after Tuesday night’s game against the Cubs. Peter hit his 42nd home run with the Mets in the fourth inning off of RHP, Yu Darvish.

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1166716440231251969

History of the Record

The record was previously held by catcher Todd Hundley and outfielder Carlos Beltran. Back in 1996, Hundley hit 41 homers at 27 years old. Then ten years later, Beltran hit 41 home runs for the Mets when he was 29 years old.

Also, there hasn’t been a rookie to set their franchise’s single season home run record since 1938, when Johnny Rizzo did it for the Pirates.

Is Anyone Surprised?

Gator fans sure aren’t surprised. Back when Alonso played for the Gators it was clear he’d be a star. Well, as long as he stayed healthy. At Florida, he ran into injury trouble that made it hard for him to reach his full potential.

However, when Alonso and the Gators were competing in the CWS in 2015, he hit the longest dinger in CWS history that was 429 ft. The record hit was tied this year by Auburn’s Eduoard Julien. Earlier in the 2015 tournament Alonso also hit a 421 ft bomb.

Then, in his junior year, he hit a 425 ft homer during the CWS. So in 2016 he held the record for the top three homers hit in the CWS. Now, he’s tied for first and has the third and fourth longest homers.

https://twitter.com/GatorsBB/status/1166686284921942017

After his junior year, Alonso’s batting average was ranked fourth in the SEC (.374). He was also a semifinalist for the Dick Howser trophy (given to the best college baseball player).

The Mets drafted Alonso in the 2nd round with the 64th pick.