History of Pete Alonso in Timeline

Pete Alonso, known as "Polar Bear", is a professional baseball player who plays first base for the New York Mets in MLB. He also represents the United States internationally in baseball competitions. Alonso is known for his power-hitting ability and popularity among Mets fans.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: MLB Record Since 1900

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

1938: Rookie to Set Franchise Single-Season Home Run Record Since 1938

On August 27, 2019, Alonso hit his 42nd home run to become the Mets all-time single-season home run leader. He is 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's education was cut short due to his military service in World War II.

1945: Grandfather's Military Service Ends

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

1951: Grandparents' Marriage

In 1951, Pete Alonso's grandfather married Anna Pirraglia, whom he met while studying at New York University.

1963: Family Relocation to Ohio

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

1975: Previous Appearance in Every Game of the Season

In 2024, Pete Alonso played in all 162 games for the Mets, becoming the second player in Mets history to appear in every game in a single season. The previous appearance was by Félix Millán in 1975.

1976: Tied Mets Record for Home Runs Before May

In April 2019, Pete Alonso won the National League Rookie of the Month Award. His nine home runs tied the Mets record for most home runs before May 1, equalling Dave Kingman's record set in 1976.

1976: Second Mets Player with Most Home Runs Before All-Star Break

On July 7, 2019, Pete Alonso became the second player in Mets history to hit the most home runs (30) before the All-Star break, equalling Dave Kingman's record set in 1976.

1983: Breaks Darryl Strawberry's Mets Rookie Home Run Record

On June 23, 2019, Alonso hit his 27th home run, breaking the Mets rookie home run record, which was previously set by Darryl Strawberry in 1983.

December 7, 1994: Peter Morgan Alonso Born

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

Others born on this day/year

1999: Previous Mets RBI Record

In 2022, Pete Alonso broke the Mets single-season RBI record previously held by Mike Piazza, whose record was set in 1999.

2006: Tied Mets Record for Home Runs Before May

In April 2019, Pete Alonso won the National League Rookie of the Month Award. His nine home runs tied the Mets record for most home runs before May 1, equalling Carlos Delgado's record set in 2006.

2008: Previous Mets RBI Record

In 2022, Pete Alonso broke the Mets single-season RBI record previously held by David Wright, whose record was set in 2008.

2013: Tied Mets Record for Home Runs Before May

In April 2019, Pete Alonso won the National League Rookie of the Month Award. His nine home runs tied the Mets record for most home runs before May 1, equalling John Buck's record set in 2013.

2014: Plays with Madison Mallards

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

2015: Plays for Bourne Braves

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

2016: Signed with Mets and Professional Debut

In 2016, Alonso was selected by the New York Mets and signed for a $909,200 bonus, making his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

2016: Drafted by the Mets

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

2016: Junior Year at University of Florida

In 2016, during his junior year at the University of Florida, Alonso had a successful season, hitting .374 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 58 games, competing in the College World Series for the second year in a row.

2016: Tied Mets Record for Home Runs Before May

In April 2019, Pete Alonso won the National League Rookie of the Month Award. His nine home runs tied the Mets record for most home runs before May 1, equalling Neil Walker's record set in 2016.

2017: Promotion to Binghamton Rumble Ponies

In 2017, Alonso started the season with the St. Lucie Mets and was later promoted to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies after a strong performance.

November 2018: Engagement to Haley Walsh

In November 2018, Pete Alonso and Haley Walsh got engaged.

2018: All-Star Futures Game and Joe Bauman Home Run Award

In 2018, Alonso started the season in Binghamton and was promoted to the Las Vegas 51s. He represented the Mets in the All-Star Futures Game and won the Joe Bauman Home Run Award. He also hit a walk-off home run in the last baseball game at Cashman Field.

2019: Polar Bear Nickname

During spring training in 2019, Pete Alonso earned the nickname "Polar Bear" from Mets third baseman Todd Frazier, who said Alonso looked like a "big, damn polar bear."

2019: MLB Debut and Rookie of the Year

In 2019, 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 March 28, he recorded his first major league hit. On April 1, he hit his first major league home run against the Miami Marlins.

2019: Breaks Rookie Home Run Record and Wins Rookie of the Year

In September 2019, Pete Alonso broke the MLB rookie home run record with his 53rd home run. Alonso was later awarded the National League Rookie of the Year, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes, and was named to the first team of the inaugural All-MLB Team in December.

2019: Wins 2019 MLB Home Run Derby

On July 8, 2019, Alonso won the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby, defeating Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and becoming only the second rookie to win the Derby outright, hitting 57 total home runs during the entire Derby.

2019: Breaks NL Rookie Home Run Record Before All-Star Break

On June 22, 2019, Alonso hit his 26th home run, breaking the National League record for most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break. He was also selected as a reserve to the 2019 All-Star Game and won the NL Rookie of the Month Award for June.

2019: First Home Run Derby Win

Pete Alonso won the MLB Home Run Derby in 2019.

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 dedicated to supporting youth, veterans, and animal causes.

November 12, 2021: Marriage to Haley Walsh

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

2021: Home Run Derby Win

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

2021: Evaluations Favoring Smith

In 2021, Pete Alonso's sophomore slump and Dominic Smith's performance led some to favor Smith as the team's starting first baseman.

2021: Second Straight Home Run Derby Win

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

2021: 100th Career Home Run

On September 7, 2021, Pete Alonso hit his 100th career home run, becoming the second-fastest player to reach this milestone.

March 13, 2022: Car Accident in Tampa, Florida

On March 13, 2022, Pete Alonso was involved in a car accident in Tampa, Florida, where another driver ran a red light and struck his vehicle. The vehicle flipped over three times, but Alonso was not injured.

March 22, 2022: Signs $7.4 Million Contract

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

August 17, 2022: Announcement of joining United States national baseball team

On August 17, 2022, Pete Alonso announced his decision to join the United States national baseball team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

2022: Led League in Runs Batted In

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

2022: All-Star Selection and Mets RBI Record

In 2022, Alonso was named to the MLB All-Star Game and set a new Mets' single-season RBI record with 125. He participated in the Home Run Derby but lost in the semifinals.

2022: Franchise Record and Most RBI in Major Leagues

In 2022, Pete Alonso broke the Mets franchise record and tied with Aaron Judge for the most RBI in the major leagues.

January 13, 2023: Agrees to $14.5 Million Contract

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

2023: Ties for 4th on Mets All-Time Home Run List

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

2023: Participation in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Pete Alonso played in the World Baseball Classic for the United States national baseball team. He went 2-for-14 in five games, contributing to rallies against Venezuela in the quarterfinals and Cuba in the semifinals.

January 11, 2024: Agrees to $20.5 Million Contract with the Mets

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

2024: Postseason Performance

During the 2024 MLB postseason, Pete Alonso played in 13 games for the Mets.

2024: Becomes a Free Agent

Following the 2024 season, Pete Alonso's contract with the Mets expired, and he became a free agent for the first time in his career. He declined the qualifying offer from the Mets.

2024: Appears in Every Game of the Season

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

2024: Inducted into Madison Mallards Hall of Fame

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

2024: Most All-Star Appearances by a Mets First Baseman

In 2024, Pete Alonso was named to the MLB All-Star Game, surpassing Keith Hernandez for the most appearances by a Mets first baseman.

2024: Go-Ahead Homer in Wild Card Series

On October 3, 2024, in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series, Alonso hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the top of the 9th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first major league player in history to hit a go-ahead homer while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game.