Pete Alonso blasts his 253rd and 254th homers, surpassing Darryl Strawberry as the Mets’ all-time home run leader. Full recap, historical context, and what’s next for the team and MLB home run leaders.
Key Highlights
- Major milestone: Pete Alonso hit #253, breaking Darryl Strawberry’s 37-year-old Mets home run record, then added #254 in a 13–5 rout of the Braves.
- Fastest ever for Mets: Alonso achieved the record in just 965 games, 144 fewer than Strawberry.
- Power surge: The night also gave Alonso his fourth multi-homer game of the season and extended his total to 28 homers already.
- History echoed: The club displayed Strawberry’s #18 jersey during the moment; Strawberry himself sent a heartfelt congratulation video to Alonso.
- Broader context: Alonso’s rookie record of 53 HRs in 2019 set the foundation for this milestone. He continues climbing MLB home run leaderboards.
Historic Night at Citi Field
On August 12, 2025, Pete Alonso etched his name into Mets lore. Facing the Braves, he launched his 253rd home run—a two-run shot off Spencer Strider in the third inning—surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s longstanding record of 252. The stadium exploded. Alonso received not one but two curtain calls, and the scoreboard lit up with a roaring “253.”
Not done, Alonso added a solo blast in the sixth, pushing his career total to 254—a milestone-sealing moment during a dominant 13-5 Mets victory.
Context: Strawberry’s Legacy & Alonso’s Rise
Darryl Strawberry was the face of Mets power in the 1980s—an eight-time All-Star and the 1983 NL Rookie of the Year. His 252 home run record stood untouched for nearly four decades. ([turn0search30])
Pete Alonso burst onto the scene in 2019 with a record-breaking 53 HR rookie season, instantly becoming the modern embodiment of Mets slugging. He’s carried that into a steady career of power, now topping the franchise leaderboard.
The Night in Numbers
Here’s a snapshot of the key numbers from Alonso’s record night:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career HR to break record | 253 (two-run blast) |
| HR added (same game) | 254 (solo shot) |
| Games to record | 965 games (fastest by far) |
| Multi-HR games this season | 4 |
| Total HRs this season | 28 |
The Celebration & Strawberry’s Message
Citi Field was electric: teammates mobbed Alonso, and fans chanted his name. TV broadcaster Gary Cohen dubbed him “the Polar Bear on his own private iceberg.” On radio, Keith Raad called the homer “a missile into right center field.” ([turn0news16])
In a moving gesture, Darryl Strawberry appeared via video offering Alonso praise, calling him a “homegrown player” and expressing support as the new franchise leader.
Home Run Leaders – MLB & Mets
Alonso’s accomplishment places him not just atop Mets history but in elite company among MLB’s active sluggers. He’s now tied for second-most homers since his debut behind Aaron Judge.
Within Mets history, he now surpasses Strawberry and slots behind only Hall of Famers like Mike Piazza and Tom Seaver in all-time franchise metrics.
What This Means for Alonso & the Mets
For Pete Alonso:
- He now holds leverage entering free agency. He’s hinted at opting out and negotiating a long-term deal.
- Alonso expressed desire to retire as a Met, but contract talks are pivotal in deciding his future. ([turn0news21])
For the Mets:
- The team snapped a seven-game losing streak in emphatic fashion (13–5), showing depth with homers from Alvarez, Nimmo, and Baty. Alonso’s record night lifted morale and restored momentum. ([turn0news17])
Pete Alonso hits career homer No. 253, passing Darryl Strawberry for the most home runs in @Mets franchise history! pic.twitter.com/QIExcEVeoT
— MLB (@MLB) August 12, 2025
Comparing Pete Alonso & Strawberry: Power Through the Eras
| Player | HR Record | Games to Achieve | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darryl Strawberry | 252 | 1109 games approx | 1980s |
| Pete Alonso | 254+ | 965 games | 2019–2025 |
Alonso’s feat isn’t just broken record; it’s record made more efficient. He reached the milestone faster and in a homegrown context—something Strawberry could never claim.
MLB Home Run Leaders – Where Alonso Stands
While franchise leaders command headlines, MLB home run race remains competitive. Judge leads active sluggers, but Alonso is firmly in the chase. His career trajectory suggests he could ascend in MLB’s all-time lists if he maintains pace.
Mets Score & Team Context
That night’s 13–5 blowout win did more than showcase Alonso—it featured a 16-hit Mets barrage. Relief performances, including rookie Justin Hagenman’s four-hitless innings, rounded out the team’s effort.
Historical Postseason Moment
Rewinding to 2024: Alonso’s clutch three-run homer in the ninth inning of a winner-take-all Wild Card game against the Brewers remains one of the most dramatic postseason swings in Mets history. He remains the only player to hit a go-ahead homer late in a playoff that was elimination-bound.
What’s Next for Alonso?
- Contract talks looming: Alonso’s 2026 option and free-agency potential could determine his legacy—stay in Queens or move on.
- Home run chase continues: He’ll look to add to the franchise record and climb MLB leaderboards in the final weeks.
- Team performance: Mets need sustained pitching and health to support Alonso’s power with playoff positioning.
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