Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. I’m glad Mets fans finally had something to cheer for this season, even if it was the opposing team.
|
|
|
Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images
|
The 28,000 fans in attendance at Citi Field last night went nuts for a game-tying homer hit in the ninth inning. The weird part, though, was that it was hit in the top of the inning, by a player on the visiting team.
Pete Alonso, the former Mets first baseman, hit a laser beam of a home run off of Kodai Senga to bring the Orioles level with one out in the ninth inning. It was as dramatic a moment as you can have in a September game between two sub-.500 teams. It was scorched at 109.6 mph—tying the game against his former team in his first series back in Queens—and was the 300th homer of his career.
Alonso punctuated the moment by emphatically hurling his bat back toward his team’s dugout.
|
What happened next was incredible.
After Alonso returned to the dugout, Mets fans chanted his name until he came out for a curtain call. He emerged from the dugout and waved to the crowd, eliciting another loud cheer. The fans then started chanting “Fire Stearns”—as in Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, the man who chose not to re-sign Alonso.
|
It was a remarkable scene. I can’t remember having ever seen a visiting player take a curtain call—let alone after a game-altering home run. If Alonso had hit his milestone homer in the fifth inning of a 10-run blowout, it’d be less surprising. But for fans to revel in their team’s collapse was fascinating. (The Orioles went on to win, 7–5, in 11 innings.)
The display of affection for the former Met appears to have rubbed the current Mets the wrong way. Interim manager Andy Green dodged questions about the reaction to the homer in his postgame press conference. Veteran pitcher Sean Manaea, who started the game, made his thoughts clear, though. Manaea stressed that he likes Alonso, but that “to have that kind of reaction to an opposing player—could be anybody—is crazy to me.” He used the word “crazy” multiple times in describing the scene and said he’d “never seen anything like that before.” Senga, who gave up the homer, said through an interpreter that he wasn’t bothered by the curtain call, though. “It shows how much [Alonso] was loved,” Senga said.
There are several factors at play here. For one, Alonso is beloved in New York. Not only is he one of the best power hitters in the majors (only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have hit more home runs since Alonso debuted in 2019), but he also became a fan favorite for his affable personality. His first game back in Queens on Monday attracted a crowd of 35,800, the Mets’ highest attendance for a weeknight game since June 11.
Mets fans aren’t just relishing the return of an old friend, though. They’re also expressing frustration about the current state of the team. They’re in the midst of a lost season in which first base has been the weakest link in an already rusty chain. (The Mets rank dead last in first base WAR, according to Fangraphs.) Seeing Alonso come up clutch was a painful reminder of what Mets fans are missing this season.
I think lots of Mets fans are pragmatic enough to realize that signing a 31-year-old first baseman to a five-year, $155 million contract isn’t a wise choice in the long run. By 2030, Alonso might devolve into a strikeout-prone DH. But can you blame the fans for focusing on the present last night?
|
|
|
Sponsored by Sports Illustrated Resorts |
From Chicago to Nashville, Sports Illustrated Resorts puts you close to the action. Stay near major sports, music and entertainment venues, including Soldier Field, United Center, Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena. Enjoy spacious suites with separate bedrooms and room for the whole group to relax, making game day, concerts and weekend getaways more comfortable.
|
|
|
|
The best of Sports Illustrated |
|
|
|
|
Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door.
|
|
|
|
Aaron Doster/Imagn Images
|
📺 What we’re watching today … |
MLB
White Sox at Guardians, 1:10 PM ET, ESPN
A critical AL Central battle continues, with Chicago holding a one-half game over Cleveland.
Orioles at Mets, 7:10 PM ET, ESPN
Mets fans will be rooting for a sweep by Pete Alonso and the O’s.
|
|
|
We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email.
Sports Publishing Solutions Inc.
625 Broadway, 10th floor
New York, NY. 10012
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:AM newsletter.
You can unsubscribe here . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions
© 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC.
All betting and gambling content included in the SI:AM newsletter is intended for individuals 21+ (18+ in DC, KY, NH, RI, and WY). Betting and gambling content, including picks and predictions, are based on individual commentators' opinions and we do not guarantee any success or profits. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or texting 800GAM.
|
Click this link to view the newsletter in your browser.
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment