Alonso Launches 252nd Homer to Equal Mets Legend Darryl Strawberry
Pete Alonso reached a monumental milestone in New York Mets history on Saturday night, blasting his 252nd career home run to tie Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record — a mark that had stood for nearly four decades. The moment came during the Mets’ matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers, a game that ended in a 7-4 loss but was defined by Alonso’s historic swing.
The Record-Tying Blast
Leading off the second inning, Alonso stepped in against Tobias Myers and worked the count to 1-2. Myers tried to challenge him with a fastball at the top of the strike zone, but Alonso turned on it, sending a 413-foot shot to left-center field. It was his 26th homer of the season and his fourth in eight games, continuing a hot streak that began on August 1 when he snapped an 0-for-19 slump against the San Francisco Giants.
The milestone carried special meaning for the Mets clubhouse. “It means a lot. A mark that’s not easy to get,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game. “How many great players have put on this uniform? For Pete to be able to tie it, it’s something special for him and for all of us. We’re proud of him.”
Alonso wasn’t available to speak with reporters due to a personal matter, but the significance of the achievement was clear to everyone in the stadium.
A Familiar Stage for Big Moments
There’s a poetic twist to Alonso’s record-tying homer — it happened in the same ballpark where he delivered one of the biggest home runs of his career last October. In Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series, Alonso launched a go-ahead, three-run homer off All-Star closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning, keeping the Mets’ playoff hopes alive in dramatic fashion. While that postseason blast didn’t count toward his career total, it cemented his reputation as a clutch power hitter.
From Rookie Phenom to Franchise Legend
Drafted by the Mets in 2016, Alonso burst onto the scene in 2019 with one of the most spectacular rookie campaigns in MLB history. He hit 53 home runs, setting the major league rookie record and establishing a new Mets single-season record. Known affectionately as “The Polar Bear”, Alonso has since become one of baseball’s most consistent sluggers, reaching 40 home runs in multiple seasons and rarely missing time due to injury.
Saturday’s game marked Alonso’s 963rd career appearance — and notably, his 370th consecutive game played, the longest streak in franchise history. His durability has been as much a part of his value as his power.
Contract and Future with the Mets
After a lengthy negotiation, Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million contract in February, which includes a $24 million player option for 2026. Given his consistent production and standing as one of the league’s premier power hitters, many expect Alonso to decline the option in pursuit of a longer-term deal, whether in New York or elsewhere.
Joining a Rare Club of Franchise Leaders
Alonso now stands alongside just a small handful of active players who lead their franchises in home runs. The list includes Manny Machado (San Diego Padres) and Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels). Others, like Giancarlo Stanton, set their marks with previous teams — Stanton’s 267 homers for the Miami Marlins remain the franchise record despite his move to the New York Yankees.
For the Mets, Strawberry set the bar in 1988 when he hit his 155th homer, surpassing Dave Kingman’s previous record. Strawberry’s total of 252 home runs in 1,109 games stood as a gold standard for Mets sluggers for 37 years. He went on to play for the Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees, finishing his 17-year career with 335 homers.
Mets Power History in Perspective
The Mets’ home run record is a testament to the franchise’s storied history — and also its scarcity of long-term power hitters. While Alonso’s achievement cements his place in the team’s lore, it also highlights how rare it is for a player to spend enough years in Queens to reach such heights. Only a few franchises, such as the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, have yet to see a player surpass 252 career homers. Luis Gonzalez holds the Arizona mark at 224, while Machado’s current total for San Diego sits at 187.
What Comes Next for The Polar Bear
With 40 games remaining in the season, Alonso is poised to break the record outright and add to his legacy. Every home run from here on will create a new Mets benchmark, and the chase for 300 career homers is already within sight. At 30 years old, Alonso still has several prime years ahead, meaning he could push the franchise record to heights that may stand for decades.
For Mets fans, Alonso’s power isn’t just about numbers — it’s about moments. From his rookie explosion to his postseason heroics and now this record-tying blast, he has provided the kind of thrills that define a generation of baseball in Queens. And while Saturday night ended in a loss, it was also the night Pete Alonso officially took his place alongside Darryl Strawberry in the pantheon of Mets greats.
If he keeps swinging the bat like this, that place may soon be his alone — and for a very long time.
