New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso blasted his 50th home run of the season on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds. It was a tremendous piece of hitting, with Alonso taking a down-and-away pitch and crushing it 437 feet to right-center field.
A special moment for a special player. ❄️🐻 pic.twitter.com/lGOdlSMwzm
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 21, 2019
Pete Alonso sent this pitch an estimated 437 feet at 108.2 mph off the bat for his 50th homer of the year. (lmao) pic.twitter.com/deGmJ8qd9u
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 21, 2019
Alonso becomes the first 50-homer hitter in the majors since Giancarlo Stanton hit 59 in 2017. It’s the fifth-highest total this decade:
Most home runs in a season this decade:
1. 2017 Giancarlo Stanton (59)
2. 2010 Jose Bautista (54)
3. 2013 Chris Davis (53)
4. 2017 Aaron Judge (52)
5. 2019 Pete Alonso (50) <——— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 21, 2019
Oh, AND HE’S A ROOKIE. Aaron Judge (with 52 in 2017) is the only other rookie in MLB history to hit 50+.
Pete Alonso is the 2nd rookie with 50 HR in a season in MLB history, joining Aaron Judge (52 in 2017). pic.twitter.com/7XWbAARKd9
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 21, 2019
Yes, the baseball is juiced, and home runs are leaving the yard at record rates. Eugenio Suarez (48), Cody Bellinger (45), and Jorge Soler (45) have a chance to join Alonso in the 50-homer club (Mike Trout — 45 — and Christian Yelich — 44 — probably would’ve hit 50+, but they’re done for the season). But this has been a remarkable season from Alonso and he’s a special power hitter (as we saw in the 2019 Home Run Derby).
