Pete Alonso’s tearing it up for the Mets this season, and it’s no accident. After a couple of rocky years, the first baseman has found his groove, anchoring a New York squad that’s sitting pretty with the National League’s best record at 42-24. Chatting with Newsday’s Laura Albanese, Alonso got real about his struggles in 2023 and 2024, when he felt like he was constantly searching for his swing. “I didn’t necessarily feel like myself,” he said, describing how he teetered through those seasons, battling inconsistent mechanics and a lack of confidence in his game plan. Now, with a refined approach at the plate, Alonso’s looking like the “Polar Bear” of old—smashing pitches and piling up RBIs with a swagger that’s got Mets fans buzzing.
Last season’s .240/.329/.459 slash line and .788 OPS weren’t terrible, but they didn’t scream Pete Alonso, especially after he turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension in 2023. That year, he clubbed 46 homers and drove in 118 runs but hit just .217, a far cry from his usual dominance. When he hit free agency last winter at age 30, the market didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet, so he inked a two-year, $54 million deal to stay with the Mets, complete with an opt-out after this season. Alonso’s response? He’s gone to work, tweaking his stance in the batter’s box and diving deeper into film study to clean up his mechanics. The results are undeniable: a .301/.396/.594 slash line, .990 OPS, 17 homers, and a league-leading 61 RBIs through 66 games. As he put it, “It’s trusting my studying…trusting my swing and staying consistent in my mechanics.”
With the Mets in first place and Alonso’s name creeping up MVP betting boards—DraftKings has him at +3000 odds, seventh in the NL—the pressure’s on to keep it rolling. Some say he pressed last year, maybe distracted by contract uncertainty, but Alonso’s not letting that narrative define him. He’s locked in, balancing confidence with a hunger to avoid complacency. “Comfort builds complacency,” he warned, emphasizing how preparation and self-awareness have fueled his resurgence. As the Mets gear up for a three-game set against the Washington Nationals, Alonso’s ready to keep swinging for the fences, both literally and figuratively. If he stays this hot, that MVP chatter might get a lot louder by the All-Star break. For now, check the sports card above for a snapshot of his stellar stats this season.
