It was a night to remember at Citi Field as Pete Alonso etched his name in Mets history, surpassing Darryl Strawberry to become the franchise’s all-time home run leader. The milestone came in the opening game of the Mets’ series against the Atlanta Braves, where Alonso launched career homer No. 253, breaking Strawberry’s long-standing record that had stood since 1990.
The record-breaker came in true Alonso fashion, a towering shot deep into left-center that had the Citi Field crowd on its feet. The slugger, who has been a cornerstone of the Mets’ lineup since his 2019 Rookie of the Year campaign, didn’t hide his emotions rounding the bases, receiving a standing ovation from the home fans who have watched his power numbers climb year after year.
For Mets faithful, this was more than just a personal milestone. Alonso’s homer sparked the offense in a much-needed 6-3 victory over the Braves, ending the team’s frustrating seven-game losing streak. The win also injected some much-needed energy back into the clubhouse as the Mets look to steady their footing in the NL East race.
“I’ve always admired what Darryl did for this organization,” Alonso said postgame. “To be mentioned in the same sentence as him is an incredible honor. This is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, but the most important thing is we got the win tonight.”
Strawberry, who held the record for more than 37 years, also sent his congratulations, praising Alonso’s work ethic and consistency at the plate.
With the pressure of the chase now behind him, Alonso can focus on building even further on his legacy. His power bat remains one of the most feared in the league, and his new place atop the Mets’ home run leaderboard cements his status as one of the franchise’s greats.
For Mets fans, the night was the perfect mix of history, relief, and hope; a record-breaking blast that also broke a losing streak.