History of Pete Alonso in Timeline

Peter "Pete" Alonso, nicknamed "Polar Bear", is a professional baseball first baseman currently a free agent, previously playing for the New York Mets in MLB. He also represents the United States in international baseball competitions. His primary position is first base.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: First Player Since 1900 with 11 Extra-Base Hits

Pete Alonso became the first player in MLB history since 1900 to have 11 extra-base hits in his first 10 career games.

1938: Johnny Rizzo's Rookie Record

In August 2019, Pete Alonso became the first rookie to set his franchise's single-season home run record since Johnny Rizzo did it for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1938.

1942: Grandfather's Military Service Begins

In 1942, Pete Alonso's grandfather began his military service in World War II.

1945: Grandfather's Military Service Ends

In 1945, Pete Alonso's grandfather concluded his military service in World War II.

1951: Grandfather's Marriage

In 1951, Pete Alonso's grandfather married Anna Pirraglia.

1963: Family Moved to Lancaster, Ohio

In 1963, Pete Alonso's father's family resettled to Lancaster, Ohio.

1975: Felix Millan Played Every Game

In 2024, Pete Alonso became the second player in Mets history to appear in every game in a single season, joining Felix Millán who did so in 1975.

1976: Dave Kingman's Home Run Record

In April 2019, Pete Alonso matched Dave Kingman's 1976 record of the most home runs by a Mets player before May 1.

1979: Lee Mazzilli homers in the All-Star Game

In 1979, Lee Mazzilli homered in the All-Star Game.

1983: Darryl Strawberry's Mets Rookie Home Run Record

In 2019, Pete Alonso broke Darryl Strawberry's 1983 Mets rookie home run record.

September 18, 1990: Darryl Strawberry Reaches 250 Career Home Runs

On September 18, 1990, Darryl Strawberry reached his 250th career home run.

December 7, 1994: Peter Morgan Alonso Born

On December 7, 1994, Peter Morgan Alonso, later nicknamed "Polar Bear", was born. He became a professional baseball first baseman.

Others born on this day/year

1999: Mike Piazza's RBI Record

In 2022, Pete Alonso broke the Mets' single-season RBI record previously held by Mike Piazza since 1999.

2006: David Wright homers in the All-Star Game

In 2006, David Wright homered in the All-Star Game.

2006: Carlos Delgado's Home Run Record

In April 2019, Pete Alonso matched Carlos Delgado's 2006 record of the most home runs by a Mets player before May 1.

2008: David Wright's RBI Record

In 2022, Pete Alonso broke the Mets' single-season RBI record previously held by David Wright since 2008.

2013: John Buck's Home Run Record

In April 2019, Pete Alonso matched John Buck's 2013 record of the most home runs by a Mets player before May 1.

2014: Played for Madison Mallards

In 2014, Pete Alonso played collegiate summer baseball with the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League.

2015: Meeting Haley Walsh

In the summer of 2015, Pete Alonso met Haley Walsh while playing in the Cape Cod collegiate summer league. They maintained a long-distance relationship while he attended the University of Florida and she attended Michigan State University.

2015: Played for Bourne Braves

In the summer of 2015, Pete Alonso played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2016: Drafted by the Mets

In 2016, Pete Alonso was selected by the New York Mets in the MLB draft after playing college baseball for the Florida Gators.

2016: Professional Debut with Brooklyn Cyclones

In 2016, after being drafted by the New York Mets, Pete Alonso made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones, posting a .322 batting average with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs in 30 games.

2016: Junior Year at University of Florida

In 2016, during his junior year at the University of Florida, Pete Alonso hit .374/.469/.659 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 58 games and competed in the College World Series.

2016: Neil Walker's Home Run Record

In April 2019, Pete Alonso matched Neil Walker's 2016 record of the most home runs by a Mets player before May 1.

2017: Promoted to Binghamton Rumble Ponies

In 2017, Pete Alonso began the season with the St. Lucie Mets and was later promoted to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in August.

November 2018: Engagement to Haley Walsh

In November 2018, Pete Alonso became engaged to Haley Walsh.

2018: Promotion to Las Vegas 51s and All-Star Futures Game

In 2018, Pete Alonso received a midseason promotion to the Las Vegas 51s and represented the Mets in the All-Star Futures Game. He hit a walk-off home run in the last baseball game played at Cashman Field.

2019: All-Star Selection and Rookie Home Run Record

In 2019, Pete Alonso broke the National League record for most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break, passing Cody Bellinger. He also broke the Mets rookie home run record, previously set by Darryl Strawberry in 1983. Alonso was selected as a reserve to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game and won the NL Rookie of the Month Award for June.

2019: Rookie of the Year and All-MLB Team Selection

In 2019, Pete Alonso finished his rookie season with 53 home runs, leading all of MLB. He was awarded the National League Rookie of the Year on November 11, 2019, and named to the first team of the inaugural All-MLB Team on December 10, 2019.

2019: MLB Debut and Rookie of the Year

In 2019, Pete Alonso made his MLB debut on Opening Day and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, setting a major league record for rookies with 53 home runs.

2019: MLB Debut and First Home Run

In 2019, Pete Alonso made the Mets Opening Day roster as the starting first baseman. On April 1, 2019, he hit his first major league home run against the Miami Marlins.

2019: "Polar Bear" Nickname Origin

In 2019, during spring training, Pete Alonso earned the nickname "Polar Bear" from Mets third baseman Todd Frazier, who noted that Alonso looked like a "big, damn polar bear."

2019: Home Run Derby Win

On July 8, 2019, Pete Alonso won the Home Run Derby, defeating Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He became only the second rookie after Aaron Judge to win the Derby outright.

September 3, 2020: First Career Walk-Off Home Run

On September 3, 2020, Pete Alonso hit his first career walk-off home run in a 9–7 victory against the New York Yankees.

2020: Formation of The Alonso Foundation

In 2020, Pete Alonso and his wife formed The Alonso Foundation, a charitable organization focused on supporting youth, veteran, and animal causes.

November 12, 2021: Pete Alonso's Wedding

On November 12, 2021, Pete Alonso married Haley Walsh at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa.

2021: Won MLB Home Run Derby

In 2021, Pete Alonso won the MLB Home Run Derby for the second time.

2021: Competition for Starting First Baseman

In 2021, due to Alonso's sophomore slump and Dominic Smith's performance, some evaluators favored Smith as the starting first baseman.

2021: Second Straight Home Run Derby Win

On July 12, 2021, Pete Alonso won his second straight Home Run Derby, defeating Trey Mancini. He became the third player ever to win back-to-back Derbies.

2021: 100th Career Home Run

On September 7, 2021, Pete Alonso hit his 100th career home run against the Miami Marlins. He became the second-fastest player to reach 100 career home runs.

March 13, 2022: Car Accident in Tampa, Florida

On March 13, 2022, Pete Alonso was involved in a serious car accident in Tampa, Florida, where his vehicle was struck by a driver who ran a red light, causing it to flip over three times. Alonso was not injured in the incident.

March 22, 2022: Signed Contract with Mets

On March 22, 2022, Pete Alonso signed a one-year, $7.4 million contract with the Mets, avoiding salary arbitration.

August 17, 2022: Announcement to join the United States national baseball team

On August 17, 2022, Pete Alonso announced that he would join the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

2022: Led League in Runs Batted In

In 2022, Pete Alonso led the league in runs batted in (RBI).

2022: Franchise RBI Record

In 2022, Pete Alonso played in 160 games for the Mets, batting .271/.352/.518 with 40 home runs and 131 RBIs, breaking the franchise record and tying Aaron Judge for the most RBI in the major leagues.

2022: All-Star Game Selection and RBI Record

In 2022, Pete Alonso was named to the MLB All-Star Game. On September 25, 2022, he set a new Mets' single-season RBI record with 125.

January 13, 2023: Signed Contract with Mets

On January 13, 2023, Pete Alonso and the Mets agreed to a one-year, $14.5 million contract during the arbitration period.

2023: Participation in the World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Pete Alonso participated in the World Baseball Classic. He went 2-for-14 across five games, notably starting an eighth-inning rally against Venezuela in the quarterfinals and hitting an RBI single against Cuba in the semifinals.

2023: Third All-Star Game Selection

On July 2, 2023, Pete Alonso was named to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game for the third selection of his career.

2023: Tied for Fourth on Mets All-Time Home Run List

On September 27, 2023, Pete Alonso hit his 46th home run of the season, tying him with Howard Johnson for 4th place on the Mets all-time home run list.

January 11, 2024: Signed Contract with Mets

On January 11, 2024, the Mets and Pete Alonso agreed on a one-year, $20.5 million contract to avoid salary arbitration.

2024: Appeared in Every Game

In 2024, Pete Alonso played in all 162 games for the Mets, making him the second player in Mets history to appear in every game in a single season.

2024: Inducted into Hall of Fame

In 2024, Pete Alonso was inducted into the Madison Mallards Hall of Fame.

2024: Contract expiration and free agency

In 2024, Pete Alonso's contract with the Mets expired, making him a free agent. The Mets made a qualifying offer, which Alonso declined.

2024: MLB Postseason Performance

In the 2024 MLB postseason, Pete Alonso played in 13 games for the Mets, batting .273/.431/.568 with 4 home runs and 10 RBI.

2024: Fourth All-Star Game Selection

On July 7, 2024, Pete Alonso was named to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game for the fourth selection of his career.

2024: Go-Ahead Home Run in Wild Card Series

On October 3, 2024, in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Pete Alonso hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the top of the 9th inning, leading the Mets to a 4-2 victory and eliminating the Brewers.

February 12, 2025: Agreement on a Two-Year Contract with the Mets

On February 12, 2025, Pete Alonso and the Mets agreed to a two-year, $54 million contract after negotiations with his agent, Scott Boras. The contract included an opt-out clause after the 2025 season.

November 3, 2025: Opting Out of Contract and Free Agency

On November 3, 2025, Pete Alonso opted out of his 2026 contract, officially becoming a free agent.

2025: Alonso's performance and decision to opt out of contract

In 2025, Pete Alonso played all 162 games for the Mets, achieving a .272/.347/.524 slash line with 38 home runs and 126 RBI. He led the National League with 41 doubles and won his first Silver Slugger award. On September 28, 2025, Alonso announced that he would opt out of his contract and elect free agency.

2025: Selection to MLB All-Star Game and Home Run

In 2025, Pete Alonso was named to the MLB All-Star Game for the fifth time in his career. During the game on July 6, Alonso hit a three-run home run off of Kris Bubic, a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, giving the National League a 5-0 lead.