Overview
- Pete Alonso returned to Citi Field to sustained standing ovations and chants for his name during batting practice and each plate appearance, a welcome documented by multiple outlets on Monday night.
- Alonso has been an ironman for the Orioles this season, appearing in every game and compiling 35 home runs and 100 RBIs while entering the series one career homer short of 300.
- Mets fans repeatedly chanted “Fire Stearns” during Alonso’s return, signaling clear blame for the front office decision not to re-sign him while Alonso maintained a diplomatic stance and briefly greeted owner Steve Cohen.
- New York’s attempt to replace Alonso with Jorge Polanco — a two-year, roughly $40 million signing — failed because Polanco missed much of the season with injury and produced poor offense, leaving first base unsettled.
- The Orioles’ 2-1 win in the series opener with Alonso in the lineup mathematically eliminated the Mets from postseason contention and has intensified scrutiny of the Mets’ roster choices and front-office leadership.