New York Mets rookie first baseman Pete Alonso blasted two home runs Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, tying a Mark McGwire record in the process.
The two dingers moved Alonso to 19 on the season. Not only did that vault him into third place among National League home run leaders, but it tied McGwire’s rookie record for most home runs before June 1 in MLB history, per MLB.com.
“That’s incredible,” Alonso said. “But, ultimately, I’m just trying to help this team win. That’s it. I’m forever grateful for this opportunity given to me. I just want to keep working hard and keep trying to capitalize on every opportunity that I have, day in and day out.”
The 24-year-old slugger is batting .264 with a .624 slugging percentage and .962 OPS, along with 43 RBI.
Provided Alonso stays healthy, it seems a given he’ll break Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record of 26 home runs by a rookie, which he set in 1983. If he’s going to break the MLB record of 50, set by Aaron Judge, then he has his work cut out.