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During the 2019 season, New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso did nothing but turn heads. He had little-to-no problems adjusting to big-league pitching, hitting home run after home run.
By the end of the regular season, Alonso had 53 home runs, which broke Aaron Judge's record from 2017. That season, Judge mashed 52 home runs, which gave him the record at that time.
Afterward, Alonso was met by a sea of reporters, asking him about being the new record holder. The young slugger was honest with his answer, knowing he was on the verge of breaking a record.
"I was just trying to make it happen. I was determined and after I hit it, I just wanted to see it and enjoy it, enjoy the moment a little bit," Alonso said.
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Alonso was overcome with emotions after breaking the record, and for good reason. It is incredibly hard to be the best at something in this league given all the talent throughout the history of the game.
"To be No. 1 out of every single guy that has played the game is humbling and such a ridiculously awesome feeling. I mean that moment was pure magic," Alonso said.
Pete Alonso received his record-breaking homer after a family caught it
Pete Alonso's record-breaking home run was a monumental point early in his career. In some cases, record-breaking home runs are hard to get back from the fans that caught it, but not here.
The family that caught Alonso's ball met up with the slugger afterward to return it. Alonso spent some time with the family on the field, and he signed a few items for them to take back home.
"It was really cool because we got to take the family on the field and take some pictures with the ball. But it was a good family just trying to make their kids' day," Alonso said.
It was a win-win for everybody involved. Alonso got his baseball back, and the family had a special moment with one of the league's rising stars.
Since his rookie season, Alonso has tallied 226 regular-season home runs. That gives him the 27th most home runs among active players, right behind the recently retired Charlie Blackmon.
Being just Alonso's sixth season in the league, he should shoot up through the ranks over the years.
