When Pete Alonso hit his 253rd home run on a cool Tuesday evening in August 2025, a hush fell over Citi Field—well, for a moment, at least—before a swell of cheers cascaded through the ballpark. It was a moment that signified something deeper than just a line on a record book. In that swing, the 30-year-old first baseman, who once had to fight for a job out of spring training, had etched his name into the history of the New York Mets. He became their all-time home-run king, surpassing the legend Darryl Strawberry.
But let’s be clear: This is not just about numbers. Sure, 253 homers is a feat worth acknowledging, but it is the context of Alonso’s journey—his path from uncertain rookie to indispensable figure—that defines the weight of this record.
When Alonso debuted in 2019, his future was not written in stone. He was a hungry, unproven player who couldn’t even guarantee a spot on the roster, let alone the spotlight that awaited him. By the time he hit his 53rd home run that year—breaking the rookie record—he was already rewriting what it meant to wear a Mets uniform. He was everything Mets fans had hoped for: a guy who embodied the spirit of their team—scrappy, determined, and with a little flair.
And yet, here we are, six years later, asking if this 6’3″, 250-pound slugger—known affectionately as “The Polar Bear”—will remain in Flushing for the rest of his career. For all his success, there’s an uncomfortable undercurrent running through the Mets’ front office and fanbase alike. There’s a palpable fear that Alonso may be headed elsewhere, his allegiance to the Mets fading like the last remnants of summer. He has announced that he wants to play baseball until 2035.
Pete Alonso should be a Met for life. That’s the crux of it. He’s not just a home-run hitter—he’s the embodiment of what it means to be a Mets fan. He was drafted by the organization, has weathered their ups and downs, and most importantly, has never taken for granted the privilege of playing in New York. Sure, it’s not all been sunshine and homers; the contract disputes, the speculation about his future, and the missed opportunities in the postseason have made for a rocky road. But isn’t that the Mets’ way? The ups and downs are part of the fabric of this franchise—and Pete Alonso has been woven into that fabric in ways that go beyond the box score.
Now, with his opt-out clause looming, the question remains: will he stay in Queens, or will he chase the kind of long-term financial security that so often pulls players away from the cities and teams that made them? Alonso, for his part, has been transparent about wanting to play through his 40s and secure a deal that reflects his stature in the game. Whether that deal comes from Steve Cohen and David Stearns—who have already shown a willingness to break the bank for top-tier talent—remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that the Mets owe it to themselves to do everything in their power to keep Alonso in the fold. We’ve seen in recent years how quickly a franchise can spiral without its centerpiece. The Mets have one of those rare players in Alonso—a player whose name will forever be tied to the team’s identity. Not just for his bat, but for his work ethic, his character, and the genuine connection he has with the city.
The notion that a slugger like Alonso—who has provided the Mets with so many unforgettable moments, including this most recent record-breaking feat—could walk away is a sentiment too painful to entertain. That would not just be a baseball tragedy; it would be a failure of the Mets’ front office to recognize what they have in front of them. Pete Alonso is not a rental player; he’s part of the Mets’ DNA.
Now, the ball is in Steve Cohen’s court. As much as Alonso has delivered on the field, the front office must deliver off it. A player of his caliber—one who has so fully embraced the Mets’ identity—deserves a long-term deal that reflects his status as the face of the franchise. A decision that could define the Mets’ next era.
As Bob Costas might have put it, the Mets and Pete Alonso are at a crossroads, a moment where the past and the future collide in the most personal of ways. Will the Polar Bear continue to roar in Queens, or will the Mets let him slip away, his place in franchise history ultimately being a bittersweet reminder of what could have been? Time, as always, will tell. But for the Mets—and their fans—one thing is abundantly clear: keeping Pete Alonso home should be the ultimate priority. Because in baseball, as in life, you don’t let the good ones walk away.