History of Pete Alonso in Timeline
Peter Morgan Alonso, nicknamed "Polar Bear," is an American professional baseball first baseman currently a free agent. He played for the New York Mets in Major League Baseball (MLB) and made his debut in 2019. Known for his powerful hitting, Alonso quickly became a key player for the Mets. He notably won the Home Run Derby in 2019 and 2021, showcasing his exceptional strength. While primarily a first baseman, Alonso's defensive abilities have been a subject of discussion throughout his career. His offensive prowess, however, remains undeniable, making him a sought-after player in the league.
1900: Historic Start to Career
Since 1900, no rookie has ever achieved the record that Pete Alonso reached in his first 10 career games.
1938: Setting Mets Single-Season Home Run Record
In 2019 Pete Alonso set the Mets all-time single-season home run record and the first rookie since 1938 to establish their franchise's single-season home run record.
1976: Home Run Record Before All-Star Break
In 2019, Pete Alonso became the second player in Mets history to hit the most home runs before the All-Star break.
1976: Matching Mets Home Run Record
Pete Alonso's performance tied the Mets' home run record before May 1.
1983: Breaking Mets Rookie Home Run Record
In 2019 Pete Alonso broke the Mets rookie home run record previously set by Darryl Strawberry in 1983.
December 7, 1994: Pete Alonso's Birth
Pete Alonso was born on December 7, 1994.
2006: Matching Mets Home Run Record
Pete Alonso's performance tied the Mets' home run record before May 1.
2013: Matching Mets Home Run Record
Pete Alonso's performance tied the Mets' home run record before May 1.
2014: Plays Summer Baseball
Pete Alonso played collegiate summer baseball with the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League in 2014.
2015: Plays in Cape Cod League
Pete Alonso played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League during the summer of 2015.
2015: Meeting Haley Walsh
Pete Alonso and Haley Walsh first met in the summer of 2015 while he was playing in the Cape Cod collegiate summer league.
2016: Professional Debut
After being drafted by the Mets, Pete Alonso signed and made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2016.
2016: Successful Junior Year and College World Series
In 2016, Pete Alonso had a strong junior year at the University of Florida, hitting .374/.469/.659 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs, and competed in the College World Series.
2016: Drafted by the Mets
Pete Alonso was selected by the New York Mets in the 2016 MLB draft.
2016: Matching Mets Home Run Record
Pete Alonso's performance tied the Mets' home run record before May 1.
2017: Promotion to Binghamton
Pete Alonso started the 2017 season with the St. Lucie Mets and was later promoted to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
November 2018: Engagement to Haley Walsh
Pete Alonso and Haley Walsh got engaged in November 2018.
2018: All-Star Futures Game and Home Run Award
In 2018, Pete Alonso played for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Las Vegas 51s, participated in the All-Star Futures Game, and won the Joe Bauman Home Run Award.
2019: MLB Debut
Pete Alonso made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2019.
2019: Home Run Derby Champion
Pete Alonso won the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby.
2019: Mets Opening Day Roster and First Home Run
Pete Alonso made the Mets' Opening Day roster in 2019, recorded his first major league hit, was nicknamed "Polar Bear", and hit his first major league home run.
2019: All-Star Selection and Rookie of the Month
Pete Alonso was selected for the 2019 All-Star Game and won the National League Rookie of the Month award for June.
2019: Home Run Derby Earnings
Pete Alonso earned a significant amount from winning the Home Run Derby twice between 2019 and 2021.
2019: Origin of "Polar Bear" Nickname
Pete Alonso acquired his nickname, "Polar Bear," during his time as a top prospect. During spring training in 2019, Todd Frazier, known for giving nicknames, observed Alonso and remarked, "You look like a big, damn polar bear." The name stuck.
2019: Rookie of the Year and Home Run Leader
In 2019, Pete Alonso won the National League's Rookie of the Year award and led the league in home runs.
2019: Breaking Rookie Home Run Record and Rookie of the Year
Pete Alonso broke the rookie home run record in 2019, led MLB in home runs, and won the National League Rookie of the Year award.
September 3, 2020: First Career Walk-Off Home Run
On September 3, 2020, Pete Alonso hit his first career walk-off home run.
2020: Formation of The Alonso Foundation
In 2020, Pete Alonso and his wife Haley established The Alonso Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting youth, veteran, and animal causes.
2020: 2020 Season Performance
Pete Alonso played in 57 games during the shortened 2020 season, hitting 16 home runs and 35 RBIs.
November 12, 2021: Marriage to Haley Walsh
On November 12, 2021, Pete Alonso married Haley Walsh at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa.
2021: Competition for Starting Role
Pete Alonso faced competition for the starting first baseman role in 2021.
2021: 2021 Season Performance
Pete Alonso played 152 games in 2021, hitting 37 home runs and 94 RBIs.
2021: Second Home Run Derby Win and Earnings
Pete Alonso won his second Home Run Derby in 2021 and earned a substantial sum from his two Derby victories.
2021: Second Home Run Derby Win
Pete Alonso won his second MLB Home Run Derby in 2021.
March 13, 2022: Car Accident
On March 13, 2022, Pete Alonso was involved in a serious car accident in Tampa, Florida, where his vehicle flipped three times after being struck by a driver who ran a red light. Fortunately, Alonso and the other individuals involved were unharmed.
March 22, 2022: Contract Signing
Pete Alonso signed a $7.4 million contract with the Mets on March 22, 2022.
August 17, 2022: Joining the US National Baseball Team
On August 17, 2022, Pete Alonso announced his participation in the 2023 World Baseball Classic as a member of the United States national baseball team.
2022: Second All-Star Selection and Mets RBI Record
In 2022, Pete Alonso was selected for his second MLB All-Star Game and reached the semifinals of the Home Run Derby. Later in the season, on September 25, he set a new Mets single-season RBI record with 125, surpassing previous record holders Mike Piazza and David Wright.
2022: RBI Leader
Pete Alonso led the league in runs batted in (RBIs) in 2022.
2022: Impressive Batting Performance and Shared RBI Title
During the 2022 season, Pete Alonso achieved an impressive batting performance with a .271/.352/.518 average, hitting 40 home runs and achieving a league-leading 131 RBIs, tying with Aaron Judge.
2023: World Baseball Classic Performance
In 2023, during the World Baseball Classic, Alonso went 2-for-14 in five games, with key contributions including a base hit against Venezuela in the quarterfinals and an RBI single against Cuba in the semifinals.
2023: 150th Home Run and Mets All-Time List Advancement
On April 7, 2023, Pete Alonso hit his 150th career home run, moving him to sixth place on the Mets' all-time home run list, surpassing Carlos Beltrán. He achieved this milestone faster than any player other than Ryan Howard.
2023: 2023 Season Performance
Pete Alonso concluded the 2023 season with a .217/.318/.504 batting average, 46 home runs, and 118 RBIs.
January 11, 2024: Contract Agreement and 500th RBI
Pete Alonso and the Mets reached a one-year, $20.5 million agreement on January 11, 2024, avoiding salary arbitration. Later, on April 4, during a game against the Detroit Tigers, he achieved his 500th career RBI, becoming the fastest Mets player to reach this milestone. He was awarded NL Player of the Week honors shortly after.
2024: 2024 Postseason Performance
During the 2024 MLB postseason, Pete Alonso played in 13 games for the Mets, batting .273/.431/.568 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs.
2024: Free Agency
Following the 2024 season, Pete Alonso's contract with the Mets expired, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. The Mets presented him with a qualifying offer on November 2, which he declined on November 19.
2024: Full Season Appearance and 2024 Performance
In 2024, Pete Alonso played in all 162 games, becoming only the second Mets player in history to achieve this feat in a single season. He finished the season with a .240/.329/.459 batting average, 34 home runs, and 88 RBIs.
2024: Historic Go-Ahead Home Run in Wild Card Series
On October 3, 2024, during 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 ninth inning, leading the Mets to a 4-2 victory and eliminating the Brewers. This home run marked the first time in MLB history a player hit a go-ahead homer while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game.
2024: Mallards Hall of Fame Induction
Pete Alonso was inducted into the Madison Mallards Hall of Fame in 2024.