Pete Alonzo Hits 42nd Home Run, Sets Mets Franchise Record

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonzo passed a milestone and added another reason why he will likely win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Alonzo hit his 42nd home run of the season on August 27th, establishing a new Mets franchise record for home runs. The previous mark of 41 was set by Todd Hundley in 1996 and tied by Carlos Beltran in 2006. Alonzo already had set the National League record for home runs by a rookie earlier this season. He has an outside chance at the major league rookie record of 52 set by Aaron Judge of the Yankees. The homer also tied him with the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger for the National League lead.

Alonzo became the seventh rookie to set his team’s franchise record for home runs. The previous six all occurred between 1929 and 1938.

Although the Mets lost the game 5-2 to the Cubs, New York is very much in the Wild Card playoff race, three games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card. The Mets are actually generating some offense this season to go with their strong pitching.