Pete Alonso Returns to Citi Field Eyeing Historic Mets Home Run Record

Pete Alonso is standing at the edge of New York Mets history, with a chance to etch his name as the franchise’s all-time home run leader. The slugging first baseman enters the team’s six-game homestand tied with Darryl Strawberry at 252 career home runs. His next blast will move him into sole possession of a record that has stood for decades — and the stage is set for that milestone to happen in front of the home fans at Citi Field.

Alonso tied Strawberry’s mark this past Saturday in Milwaukee, driving the ball into the stands in classic Polar Bear fashion. The moment brought cheers from Mets fans following along, but now the anticipation has shifted to New York, where the crowd will be eager to witness history in person. Alonso, however, is taking the chase in stride.

“The record is obviously something that is really special, and it’s meaningful, but right now in the heat of it, I’m not too focused on that,” Alonso said after his 250th homer earlier this month. “I’m just focused on wins and what I can help this team do to win each game. We’re in the thick of a playoff race right now.”

A Chance for History at Home

Manager Carlos Mendoza knows the significance of the moment, but he also doesn’t want his star slugger to feel added pressure. “It will be nice to do it here in front of our home fan base,” Mendoza said last week. “It’s gonna happen. I just want him to be himself.”

Citi Field has been kind to Alonso this year. Twelve of his 26 homers this season have come in Queens, and the upcoming series against the Atlanta Braves offers the perfect setting for history. Alonso has yet to homer against Atlanta in 2025, but the challenge of facing elite competition is nothing new to him.

The Braves will send right-handers Spencer Strider, Carlos Carrasco, and Bryce Elder to the mound. Alonso has one career home run against both Strider and Elder, while Carrasco — ironically a former Mets teammate — will be a new matchup for the slugger.

Tied with a Mets Legend

Darryl Strawberry’s 252 homers were a cornerstone of Mets history, a mark that once seemed untouchable. Strawberry’s power, swagger, and role in the 1986 World Series championship made him a fan favorite and a lasting icon. That Alonso has matched the record in just 963 games — compared to Strawberry’s 1,109 — speaks to his consistency and raw power.

Alonso’s rookie year in 2019 set the tone for his career. That season, he belted 53 home runs, breaking the MLB rookie record and instantly cementing himself as one of the game’s premier sluggers. He remains the only Met to record three separate 40-homer seasons.

Francisco Lindor, who has seen firsthand how Alonso approaches the game, summed up the sentiment in the clubhouse: “It’s something that I know he doesn’t talk about much, but I’m sure he wanted it. For him to accomplish that, it’s a good thing.”

Balancing Personal Milestones and Playoff Pressure

While Alonso’s home run chase grabs headlines, the Mets’ current position in the standings adds urgency to every game. After a rough stretch in which they lost seven straight and 11 of their last 12, the Mets find themselves 5.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. They’ve also slipped into the final NL wild card spot, with the Cincinnati Reds lurking just 1.5 games back.

This homestand could prove critical, with the Braves up first and the Seattle Mariners closing the week. Wins are crucial, and Alonso’s power could be the difference-maker in tight games.

A Career Defined by Power

Since debuting in 2019, Alonso has been a model of durability and production. His swing is built for damage, and his ability to drive the ball to all fields makes him a threat in any count. His leadership in the clubhouse, coupled with his performance, has made him the face of the franchise.

The home run record is just the latest in a growing list of accomplishments. By the time his career is over, Alonso could hold multiple franchise marks and perhaps a few league-wide milestones.

The Road Ahead

Whether No. 253 comes in the first inning on Tuesday or later in the homestand, it’s a moment the Mets fan base will savor. A record like this connects generations — those who watched Strawberry dominate in the 1980s and those who have embraced Alonso as their modern-day power hero.

When the ball finally clears the fence, expect Citi Field to erupt, not just in celebration of a number, but in recognition of Alonso’s place in Mets history. For Alonso, though, the real goal remains the same: helping the Mets secure a postseason berth.

If his bat stays hot, he might just deliver both — a personal milestone for the history books and the kind of wins the Mets desperately need down the stretch.