“He Deserves It” – Strawberry Explains Why He’s Happy When Alonso Makes Mets History

As Pete Alonso inches closer to etching his name atop the New York Mets’ record books, the man he’s set to surpass, Darryl Strawberry, is offering nothing but praise.

For over three decades, Darryl Strawberry’s name has stood atop the Mets’ all-time home run leaderboard, with 252 home runs hit during his storied tenure from 1983 to 1990. But that era of franchise history is on the brink of a rewrite, and if Strawberry has any mixed emotions about the impending change, he’s certainly not showing it. Instead, he’s chosen to publicly embrace Alonso’s pursuit of greatness, calling it a deserving milestone for a player who has represented the franchise with class.

Strawberry’s Gracious Perspective on Records

“You’re talking about a record that’s been there for 35 years, that’s a long time, and records are meant to be broken,” Strawberry said on Wednesday at TD Bank Ballpark. The Mets legend was in Somerset ahead of a minor league game between the Yankees and Mets affiliates, but his focus quickly turned to Alonso and the looming history being made at the major league level.

While some former athletes may cling to their achievements with a sense of possessiveness, Strawberry displayed a level of humility and sportsmanship rarely seen at such moments.

“I think too many players that played professional sports always think their records should stand and no one should break it, and that’s not true,” Strawberry said. “There are going to be players that come along that will break their record and I’m happy for Pete, because he’s a good guy. He’s not one of the bad guys in baseball. He’s a guy that loves playing in New York, and hopefully he’ll achieve it soon.”

Alonso’s Chase for History

Pete Alonso, affectionately known as “Polar Bear” by Mets fans, currently sits at 251 career home runs, just one shy of tying Strawberry’s mark and two away from overtaking it. The 30-year-old slugger hit his 251st homer earlier this week against the Cleveland Guardians, but hasn’t added to that total in the subsequent two games. Still, it’s only a matter of time before the inevitable occurs.

What makes Alonso’s achievement all the more impressive is the consistency with which he has produced at the plate since entering the league. Drafted in the second round in 2016, Alonso made his MLB debut in 2019 and immediately stormed onto the scene with a league-leading 53 home runs, earning him NL Rookie of the Year honors. Since then, aside from the shortened 2020 season, he’s hit at least 34 homers every year. This season, with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs through 112 games, he’s once again among the league’s top power hitters.

Handling the New York Pressure

Strawberry also spoke about the unique difficulty of playing in New York—a city known for its intense media scrutiny and passionate, often demanding fanbase. Alonso, in his view, has embraced that challenge with grace and professionalism.

“It means he’s worked hard, dedicated himself to believing in himself, because you have to,” Strawberry said. “He’s been able to stand up and play in New York in front of the pressure and the expectations, which is very hard to do. I think a lot of times people don’t realize that.”

That acknowledgment is particularly powerful coming from Strawberry, who himself was a homegrown Mets superstar, just like Alonso. Both men developed through the Mets’ minor league system before becoming faces of the franchise.

“And he’s a homegrown player, just like I was,” Strawberry added. “When you’ve been developed through the organization like young players, you want to do well. He’s been able to do that, so very pleased with all that he’s about to accomplish.”

Legacy and Leadership

Beyond the numbers, Alonso is acutely aware of the legacy he’s building in Queens. Speaking earlier this month, he explained how he wants to be remembered—not just for his home runs, but for how he played the game.

“What I want to be remembered as is a player of substance,” Alonso told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. “I just want to be remembered as a guy who plays the game hard, the guy who’s like the ultimate competitor. … I want to be known as a guy that performs and plays the game and wins. That’s really it.”

This attitude seems to have earned the admiration of his predecessors. Strawberry’s comments suggest that Alonso is seen as a worthy heir to the Mets’ historic milestones, both on and off the field.

A Complicated Time for the Mets

Alonso’s pursuit of history comes at a tumultuous time for the Mets, who have lost eight of their last nine games, including a 4-1 defeat to the Guardians on Wednesday. Even as the team struggles, Alonso’s milestones provide a bright spot, offering fans something to rally around in an otherwise disappointing season.

The franchise is also facing a major decision regarding Alonso’s future. The slugger has a $24 million player option for 2026 but is widely expected to opt out and seek a long-term deal. He’s already indicated that his current two-year, $54 million contract is “kind of like a bridge” to his next one. And in a recent interview, Alonso shared that he plans to play until age 40, which would require a 10-year deal starting this offseason.

The Mets front office will have to weigh whether they’re willing to invest that heavily in a 30-year-old slugger, even one of Alonso’s caliber. Should they fail to meet his asking price, there will certainly be no shortage of suitors for a power-hitting first baseman of his resume.

A Home Run Legacy Passed With Grace

In a sports world where jealousy and ego often cloud historical moments, Strawberry’s endorsement of Alonso’s climb is refreshing. It’s a moment of intergenerational respect, a passing of the torch not begrudgingly, but joyfully.

As Alonso stands on the brink of Mets history, he does so not in opposition to the franchise’s past but as its latest and perhaps most complete embodiment. Whether or not he remains with the team long enough to become the unquestioned greatest Met of all time, he’s already earned a level of reverence from legends like Strawberry.

“I’m happy for Pete because he’s a good guy,” Strawberry repeated. “He deserves it.”